Vampire Facials: Great Skin through Science
What is a vampire facial?
Creepy as the photos are, you see celebrities like Kim Kardashian West, Keira Maguire, and Rupert Everett posting photos of their faces covered in blood, their own blood. Far from being another episode of Criminal Minds, this a legitimate skin care procedure with a basis in science. The procedure is relatively painless, quick, and yields amazing results that can rival plastic surgery.
Why does a vampire facial work?
The vampire facial procedure uses blood drawn from your own body that is then applied to your face. Micro needling opens up small holes in the skin to allow the PRP to make contact with skin cells. There is a lot of growth factor in the red blood cells, so that helps to heal old scars, repair fine line and wrinkles, and give skin a fresh look.
“The procedure is known as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment,” explains Doctor Kamal of the Edmonton and Albany Cosmetic Centres. “By separating out your own red blood cells, we’re able to use them to nourish your skin in a very direct way. This can have a number of effects on the skin.”
The effects of platelet-rich plasma treatment?
Vampire facials can have lots of positive effects. Not only is there lots of anecdotal evidence but according to a report from the National Institutes of Health in the United States confirms it to be true.
“A progressive improvement in the esthetic outcome and a high level of patient satisfaction were determined. The cutometer measurements showed a statistically significant higher level of skin firmness (due to increased collagen production) and a statistically significant increase in skin elasticity (thanks to increased elastin production).”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6260498/
This procedure, done correctly and under the supervision of a trained physician, can make the skin look and feel younger better than nearly every other treatment.
The complete list of positive effects is extensive:
- Stimulate hair regrowth
- Skin color improvement
- Scar reduction
- Under eye crackling
- Tone and color improvement on the cheeks
- Acne and skin damage reduction
- Jaw and chin line improvement
- Neck skin tone improvement
- Chest decolletage
- Reduction of fine lines and blemishes
- Skin tone improvement
How a PRP treatment or vampire facial is done
The procedure is simple and safe when done by a certified medical provider. “The key is to only go to a place where you are assured that medical-grade sterility is adhered to and they know what they’re doing,” Dr. Kamal (PhD in Pharmacy) of the Edmonton and Albany Cosmetic Centres said. “It does involve a blood draw, so only a physician, nurse, or licensed phlebotomist should be doing the first part.”
The first step is to have blood drawn. It’s no different from the blood draw at the doctor’s office and only takes a moment.
The blood is then put into a centrifuge that separates the plasma from the platelets.
The skin on the face is then micro needling. The skin only slightly is broken to allow the blood cells access to the lower layers.
The platelet-rich plasma is then put onto the skin and allowed to come into contact with skin cells and dermal layers underneath. This lets the growth hormones that are in all of your red blood cells to contact skin cells.
The blood serum that is used is a combination of red blood cells, plasma, and white blood cells that help to heal the body.
The growth hormone found in the red blood cells stimulates cell turnover, meaning that the dermal layer start producing new, young cells to replace the older ones. This also helps to reduce fine lines and stimulate hair growth by virtue of this powerful growth hormone.
Since the entire procedure is done with your own blood cells, there is no danger of contracting any illnesses from anyone else.
What is the recovery time from PRP treatment?
It usually only takes a day or two for the skin to recover. New cell growth starts immediately, but like any other micro needling, there is a time needed for skin to close again.
During that time, the skin might look a bit rough and it’s very sensitive to sunlight.
“It’s important to use a gentle, but strong, sunblock if you’re going to go into the sun during the first three days or so,” Dr. Kamal (PhD in Pharmacy) warns. “The skin will be somewhat raw and new. The sun can cause it to burn and harm it a great deal in no time.”
At the Edmonton and Albany Cosmetic Centres, PRP recipients are also cautioned not to use makeup for at least two days. Even the purest, natural makeup can still cause an infection or harm broken skin.
Who should get a vampire facial?
Anyone from 20 to 60 and beyond is eligible. As long as there are no underlying health concerns, the procedure is perfectly safe and easy.
It’s perfect for helping to eliminate or reduce the effects of acne scars, fine lines, and skin blemishes. It can even stimulate hair growth along the hairline.
“In truth, I’ve met very few people who aren’t eligible for and wouldn’t benefit from PRP treatment,” Dr. Kamal (PhD in Pharmacy) said. “Other than those with bleeding disorders or on prescription blood thinners, this is a simple and safe procedure that gets real results.”
You don’t have to be in Beverly Hills to look amazing. PRP treatments, or vampire facials, are safer, cheaper, and easier than plastic surgery and available right in Edmonton and Albany from Dr. Kamal.