As a fan of all issues spooky and unusual, in addition to skincare-oriented, I used to be instantly intrigued after I noticed the now well-known picture of Kim Kardashian having a “Vampire Facial” again in 2013. Of course, being that it was Kim Kardashian — a girl not precisely identified for her modest expenditures — I didn’t even trouble wanting into the process on the time, figuring it was too unique and too costly for me.

But a decade later, Vampire Facials, also referred to as blood facials or PRP injections (platelet-rich plasma), have turn out to be extra mainstream. A fast “vampire facials near me” search on Yelp rendered dozens of outcomes (granted, I’m in Los Angeles). So, what precisely is a Vampire Facial, what does it contain and what are the advantages?

“A Vampire Facial is when someone is using PRP on your face to stimulate growth factors, collagen, elastin and cell regeneration,” stated dermatologist Mary Alice Mina, M.D.

What occurs throughout a Vampire Facial?

The process, which ought to be carried out by a dermatologist, is maybe greatest understood by describing what really occurs throughout it. Mina defined the next steps:

1. If you’re sporting make-up, it will likely be eliminated and your pores and skin will probably be cleaned.
2. A topical numbing agent will probably be utilized to your face.
3. Next, comes microneedling. This is completed with a tool that appears like a pen with quite a lot of tiny needles on its head that strikes forwards and backwards. It creates micro-traumas to the pores and skin — small, open channels.
4. A phlebotomist attracts your blood and spins it down in a centrifuge that separates out cells in your blood from the plasma.
5. The dermatologist then takes the blood platelet element blended with the plasma and smears it in your face, rubbing it into the microchannels. Or they might inject the blood combine into the microchannels.

The Vampire Facial takes round half-hour to carry out, however dermatologist Kseniya Kobets, M.D., asks sufferers to return in an hour earlier than the process to reply any questions, go over paperwork and post-care, take photos, and begin topical numbing.

Charles Runels, M.D., who coined the time period “Vampire Facial” and was the physician who carried out the process on Kardashian in 2013, stated the longest a part of the Vampire Facial is ready for the numbing agent to take impact, which usually takes about 20 minutes.

Although this isn’t precisely a time-consuming process, you must plan for some down time after.

“This is not something you want to do on your lunch break,” Mina stated. “You’ll be red and have some pinpoint areas, perhaps for a few days.”

How a lot does a Vampire Facial value?

Vampire Facials should not for the faint of coronary heart — or for the faint of money.

“The prices vary between geographic areas,” Mina stated. “And you will need at least three facials — a series of treatments. I would say, expect to spend an average of at least $1,200 for three Vampire Facials.”

Are Vampire Facials secure?

There is all the time a threat of an infection with any process involving a needle, however PRP injections are thought of secure since you’re utilizing your individual blood, so there’s no threat of growing an allergy.

“You’re just putting your own blood back into you at a higher concentration,” Mina stated. “Essentially, you’re using your own body to heal itself. That alone makes it safe. Additionally, we know that microneedling is very safe in all skin types.”

Still, this can be a delicate process and potential sufferers ought to deal with it as such.

“It is important to go to a clinic that is familiar and experienced with doing cosmetic procedures, [and] has superior microneedling or laser technologies and quality PRP processing kits,” stated Kobets.

What are the professionals of a Vampire Facial?

“There are numerous benefits for your skin,” Kobets stated. “It is a natural way to rejuvenate the skin, treat mild acne scars and other scars, improve pores and skin radiance, and lessen fine lines. It even helps rosacea and melasma in some studies by boosting collagen and promoting skin healing with your own growth factors found in your blood.”

Results will final one to 2 months for pores, pores and skin texture and wrinkles. Multiple remedies are really helpful for continued enchancment, each 4 to 6 weeks.

“Results are seen as early as one to two weeks post procedure, and [you] continue to see improvement in pores, redness and wrinkles over weeks to months as collagen continues to be stimulated in treated areas,” Kobets stated.

Mina, who admits to by no means having had a facial of any variety in her life, is much less satisfied of the advantages.

“I think the jury is still a bit out on the real benefits of the Vampire Facial,” Mina stated. “We need better studies, larger studies. But if it makes you feel better and you like how you look after — there’s something to that.”

What are less-invasive, less-expensive options to Vampire Facials?

Twelve-hundred bucks for just a few months of feeling fresh-faced is some huge cash. And the method of a Vampire Facial will be scary as a result of, properly, there’s blood throughout your face. Fortunately, there are different, much less intense and extra inexpensive choices that provide comparable outcomes.

“Alternative, less-invasive treatments that can be done for skin texture are laser photofacials,” Kobets stated. “Light laser resurfacing treatments can be done and PRP can be applied immediately after to help heal and boost collagen. Also, light chemical peels offer a less-expensive ($200–$350) but also slightly less-effective option and [you] cannot use PRP after it. There is also more downtime with chemical peeling, whereas microneedling does not have skin peeling or major scabbing.”

As for me, properly, my morbid curiosities and skincare fanaticism nonetheless have me obsessing over the Vampire Facial, however I’m too spooked by the value tag to go wherever close to it.