What is the PRP Vampire Facial?

What is the PRP Vampire Facial?

If you have been questioning what you can do to improve your skin, the answer may be in your very own blood! The PRP facial, particularly delivered with microneedling, promises to leave your skin looking younger, illuminated, and rejuvenated.

While you may not think you have heard of the PRP facial before, you’ve probably heard of it by its other, more “buzz-worthy” name—the Vampire Facial.  The “Vampire Facial” rose to fame after celebrities started sharing pictures of their faces covered in their own blood. While the original procedure involved using all components of blood, the new and improved PRP Facial uses only the platelet-rich plasma.  This means it looks less scary but has even more enhanced results.

PRP facials also known as the Vampire Facial on social media should be considered by anyone who suffers from skin problems such as sun damage, premature wrinkles, uneven skin tone, dullness, and acne scarring. It is suitable for all ages and skin types. The PRP facial is very popular because it is all natural, and works by helping your body enhance and speed up your natural regenerative processes!

Where does PRP come from?

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, and comes directly from our blood.  Plasma contains special proteins that help blood to clot and support cell growth. To obtain the PRP, the patient’s blood is drawn and is put in a container, which is then placed inside a centrifuge. This centrifuge spins the blood very quickly, so that the plasma and platelets separate from the red blood cells. They then extract the platelet-rich plasma and concentrate it. For cosmetic use, this can then be applied to the face, or even injected into the problem areas of the face- hence the name Vampire Facial!

The platelet-rich plasma speeds up cell regeneration and helps promote healing in the body. It is so effective, in fact, that it is even used by doctors to aid in faster healing in injuries, such as tendonitis and sprains.  More recently, it has been used to help treat androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness) as it can even stimulate hair growth.

Related article: Who is a Good Candidate for PRP Therapy for Hair Loss?

PRP and Microneedling

Microneedling, or collagen induction therapy, involves poking tiny holes in to the skin to create microinjuries, which in turn stimulate collagen production. This also helps to promote cell turnover and elasticity in the skin.  While both microneedling and PRP facials work well separately, these treatments are now most often used together to have your skin looking its absolute best! The tiny holes created by the microneedling allows for the platelet-rich plasma to be delivered deeper in to the layers of the skin. During the first step of the procedure, a numbing cream will be applied to the face while the blood for the facial is drawn, usually from the arm. Then, the blood is spun in the centrifuge, and the platelet-rich plasma is collected. Finally, the mirconeedling procedure is performed by poking tiny holes into the skin and the PRP is applied to the face. To see the best possible results, multiple treatments are recommended.

PRP will help your skin in the following ways:

• Boost collagen and elastin
• Helps promote and maintain skin’s hydration
• Smooth skin and even out skin tone
• Firms and tightens skin
• Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
• Overall facial rejuvenation

Is a PRP facial right for me?

While PRP facials and using blood can sound quite intimidating, they are actually deemed to be very safe. This is because the PRP is being taken directly from your own body, meaning that there is no chance of allergic reaction. If you are concerned with the artificial ingredients used in cosmetic procedures like fillers or Botox, the PRP facial is a great alternative because it is completely natural. This also means that virtually anyone is an eligible candidate for the facial, unless you have a blood disorder.  After the facial, it is recommended to avoid the sun and wearing makeup for a few days, but beyond that, little downtime is required. There will likely be some swelling and redness, and in some cases bruising and soreness after the procedure, but this subsides over the next few days. While some results can be noticed sooner, it does take about 4-6 weeks to see full results.

            If you are considering a PRP Vampire Facial, contact Canada MedLaser in Toronto today for a complementary consultation.