Vampire Facials: What They Are and How They Came to Be
While it may sound like something out of a horror movie, the vampire facial has become one of the most popular new cosmetic medical procedures, and for good reason.
The often misunderstood and somewhat controversial procedure gained a ton of notoriety when it was featured on the reality show, Kourtney & Kim Take Miami, back in 2013, and then, after receiving the treatment on the show, Kim Kardashian posted a picture of her blood-stained face on Instagram.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, this obscure new treatment was all the rage. Everyone wanted it, but nobody was quite sure what it was, and confusion ensued.
Despite all the uncertainty, the truth is this treatment isn’t really a facial, and it has nothing to do with vampires, but it can offer dramatic anti-aging effects.
How does it do that?
Well, in order to truly understand this treatment, we have to go back into its history, and more specifically, explore what’s known as platelet-rich plasma.
Platelet-Rich Plasma and Vampire Facials
While it’s only one component of this combination therapy, and many of the details surrounding vampire facials are closely-guarded trade secrets, one thing’s for sure – without platelet-rich plasma (PRP), the vampire facial could not exist.
PRP is thought to have a therapeutic value that’s equal to that of stem cells and is considered one of the most promising new therapies in the field of regenerative medicine, with applications in various disciplines, including surgery, cosmetic dermatology, and sports medicine.
But what is platelet-rich plasma?
Simply put, this term refers to blood that contains more platelets than usual.
More specifically, PRP is made up of plasma, which is the liquid part of the blood, along with platelets, which are a kind of blood cell.
Platelets, otherwise known as thrombocytes, are tiny cell fragments found in the blood that are made in the bone marrow and play an important role in healing processes, such as the formation of blood clots, cell reproduction, and tissue regeneration.
PRP is derived by taking a patient’s blood and then placing it in what’s called a centrifuge, which is a device that can spin a container, such as a test tube, at incredibly high RPMs, in order to separate liquids from solids, or fluids of various densities.
This separates the other constituents of the blood from the platelets, while the platelets become more concentrated within the plasma, which gives the PRP its healing properties.
PRP can be used for a plethora of purposes besides just cosmetic treatments, such as being used as a post-surgical injection to stimulate healing, or to treat osteoarthritis pain by reducing inflammation.
Typically, it’s injected with a needle, microneedling device, or applied topically to a specific area of the body to deliver growth factors, which are substances that stimulate growth in living cells.
Who Invented Vampire Facials?
The vampire facial and vampire facelift, along with several other PRP-related procedures, were invented by Alabama-based internal medicine physician, Dr. Charles Runels, who has experience in several different areas of medicine, including aesthetics, injectables, sexual health, and weight loss.
The story of these procedures started back in 2010, when a friend of Dr. Runels’ gave him a centrifuge as a gift, explained how it could be used to prepare PRP, and urged him to try using PRP for aesthetic purposes.
He began poring over the literature on PRP, and before long, he was performing these procedures, observing the results, and applying that knowledge to his other patented PRP treatments.
Dr. Runels actually owns the trademark on both the vampire facial and vampire facelift, and in an effort to protect the safety of patients, along with the reputation and credibility of these procedures, only practitioners who go through his training and get certified can legally offer these treatments.
This ensures the providers of these procedures adhere to best practices, like following standardized protocols, and only using FDA-approved devices.
Now, more than a decade after its inception, a plethora of practitioners have been certified to offer these procedures, including our very own Dr. Dheshnie, who’s one of the only physicians certified to offer a vampire facial in Vancouver.
What’s the Difference Between a Vampire Facial and a Vampire Facelift?
Aside from the vampire facial, there are also several other procedures that use PRP for similar purposes, including what’s known as a vampire facelift.
These terms tend to be used interchangeably, and while they are somewhat similar, they’re certainly not the same thing.
Both procedures use PRP, but they differ in terms of how it’s delivered into the skin.
During a vampire facial, the PRP is delivered into the skin via microneedling, which uses ultra-thin needles to create tiny pinpricks in the skin.
During a vampire facelift, however, the PRP is applied by injecting it directly into the skin, along with a mixture of other proprietary substances.
The injection of PRP during a vampire facelift is used to help rejuvenate tissues deep within the face and restore volume to areas where the skin is thinning, whereas the topical application of PRP during a vampire facial is used to rejuvenate the skin in terms of texture and colour, but not volume.
Is a Vampire Facial or Vampire Facelift Right For Me?
A vampire facial or vampire facelift can offer dramatic rejuvenation of the skin on your face.
And aside from the overall rejuvenating effect these procedures have in terms of the induction of collagen and elastin, and the stimulation of the growth of new skin cells, they can also:
- Brighten skin
- Reduce wrinkles
- Restore lost volume
- Make skin tighter and firmer
- Enhance skin texture and tone
However, it’s also important to know about possible side effects, and reasons why these procedures might not be for you.
That being said, typically these procedures require little to no downtime, and their side effects tend to be mild, and may include things like:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Redness
- Inflammation
- Minor irritation
In rare cases, these procedures can lead to scarring or even infections, but because they’re done using your own blood, the chance of contamination or infection is very low.
In any case, there are several reasons why these treatments may not be for you. You should avoid getting a vampire facial or vampire facelift if:
- You’re pregnant
- You have skin cancer
- You’re taking a blood thinner
- You have active acne on your face
- You’ve recently used Accutane for acne
- You have a history of herpes or cold sores
- You’ve undergone skin radiation within the last year
- You scar easily or have a history of poor wound healing
- You have issues with the skin on your face, like rosacea, or eczema
- You have any blood-related medical condition, like hepatitis C or HIV
Are you looking to reap the benefits of a vampire facial or vampire facelift? Dr. Dheshnie is one of the only providers certified to offer a vampire facelift or vampire facial in Vancouver. Contact us to book a free consultation, or schedule your treatment today.