It is no secret that Vampire Facial is popular right now, thanks to its great effects and short recovery time. This therapy is known as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy because it uses the natural healing power of own blood to deliver amazing results with little downtime.
Vampire Facial works by taking a small amount of your blood, concentrating its beneficial platelets, and then applying this rejuvenating plasma. Professionals then apply it to the skin using microneedling or injections.
To explain further, Dr Navdeep Goyal, MBBS, DNB, shares his insights on how PRP rejuvenates skin, ensures safe administration, and its integration with other treatments.
How would you define “Vampire Facial” in one sentence?
Essentially, a Vampire Facial uses regenerative medicine involving the patient’s own blood. The term “vampire” refers to blood, so the procedure utilises the healing properties of one’s own blood to rejuvenate the skin.
This can aid in hair regrowth, acne scar treatment, facial rejuvenation, and addressing fine lines and wrinkles. In summary, it involves using a patient’s own blood to regenerate the skin for aesthetic purposes or hair regrowth.
What are the key differences between traditional microneedling and a Vampire Facial? How does the addition of PRP (platelet-rich plasma) enhance the results?
Traditional microneedling involves using small dermaroller instruments to create channels in the skin, promoting collagen remodelling and improving texture. The Vampire Facial, on the other hand, combines microneedling with PRP treatment.
After microneedling, the practitioner applies or injects the PRP solution. PRP introduces growth factors into the skin, enhancing repair, collagen remodelling, and hair regrowth. Essentially, PRP boosts the skin’s natural healing processes, leading to improved outcomes.
Can you elaborate on how PRP works?
Scientifically, PRP involves isolating platelets from the patient’s blood, which are rich in growth factors. Unlike simply applying blood, PRP preparation removes red blood cells and white blood cells, focusing on platelets.
These growth factors include transforming growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor. Fibroblast and epidermal growth factors also promote various skin benefits. They reduce melanin synthesis (less pigmentation), aid in collagen remodelling (firmer skin), and increase blood circulation (better nutrition and vascularity).
You mentioned that PRP is also used for hair regrowth. Is this procedure simply called PRP for hair loss?
Yes, PRP for hair loss is a general term referring to injecting platelets extracted from the blood into the scalp. This procedure delivers growth factors that support hair regrowth by providing nutrition, improving blood supply, and stimulating hair follicles.
We use PRP in a similar way for aesthetic treatments, focusing on enhancing hair growth.
What factors do you consider when determining if a patient is a good candidate for Vampire Facials? Are there any specific skin types or conditions that should avoid this treatment?
Generally, anyone over 18 can undergo a Vampire Facial, as it uses the patient’s own blood and is a very organic treatment. It’s beneficial for skin rejuvenation, acne scars, open pores, fine lines, and dullness. However, certain conditions warrant caution.
For instance, treat active infections, such as bacterial infections or severe acne, before proceeding with the facial. Patients with active viral infections or eczema should wait until they resolve their condition before undergoing the treatment.
Are there any situations where you would not recommend a Vampire Facial?
Doctors do not recommend Vampire Facials for patients with active infections, including bacterial, viral, or severe eczema. Additionally, individuals with compromised immune systems or platelet disorders should avoid this procedure. High sugar levels in diabetic patients may also affect healing, so it’s best to address these issues before proceeding.
To ensure a safe and effective PRP administration during the Vampire Facial, what critical steps do you follow?
Administer PRP under sterile conditions. Collect blood in sterile condition and handle carefully to avoid cross-contamination. Perform the procedure in a clean environment and thoroughly disinfect the patient’s skin.
Inject PRP only into designated areas, ensuring knowledge of the correct injection planes to avoid complications.
What advice would you give regarding pain or discomfort during the procedure, and what post-procedure care do you recommend?
During the procedure, the technician applies topical anaesthetic cream to minimize discomfort. Using a growth factor concentrate (GFC) rather than PRP can reduce pain and inflammation.
Post-procedure, patients may experience mild bruising, but this is typically minimal.
It’s advisable to avoid sun exposure, strenuous activities, and makeup for a few days. Patients should use recommended creams like sunscreens to aid in recovery and ensure optimal results.
How many sessions are usually needed to see significant improvements after a Vampire Facial, and do these meet patient expectations?
For therapeutic conditions like acne scars and pigmentation, patients typically need 4-6 sessions, along with other treatments. For simple facial rejuvenation, a session every 3-4 months is usually sufficient.
Results generally become visible after 2-3 weeks, and the effects can last 3-4 months. Patients may need additional sessions based on their response to treatment.
Are there any warning signs or complications that practitioners should be aware of during the procedure?
Practitioners should be cautious with patients who have immune system issues, platelet disorders, or high blood sugar levels. It’s essential to avoid PRP in these cases due to potential risks.
Have you found success in combining Vampire Facials with other cosmetic treatments?
Yes, combining Vampire Facials with other treatments, such as lasers, microneedling, and supposition procedures, has been successful.
Maintaining sterility and combining procedures can enhance overall outcomes.
