Vampire facial isn’t about blood. It provides a concentrated mix of all the nutrition skin needs

Medically known as Plasma-Rich Platelet facials or PRP, this beauty treatment promotes the growth of collagen and new cells which keep the skin looking youthful and plump.

Due to the nature of the injections, a vampire facial can be painful. To help with the pain, the esthetician applies a numbing cream before starting the procedure. | Representational image | Pexels/Anna Shvets

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian put the vampire facial on the map when she had the beauty treatment done during a 2013 episode of Kourtney & Kim Take Miami. Medically known as Plasma-Rich Platelet facials or PRP, this facial technique has found its way into salon and clinic menus across India.

This innovative procedure injects one’s own plasma-rich blood into one’s face to promote smoother, younger-looking skin. So let’s delve into what PRP facials entail, its benefits, and the fascinating process of obtaining platelets for this rejuvenating treatment.

The PRP process 

The PRP facial is a cosmetic procedure that harnesses the healing properties of platelets found in our blood to promote skin regeneration and collagen production. The process of obtaining platelets for PRP facial begins with a simple blood draw, of about 15-20 ml, similar to a routine medical check-up. Once the blood is drawn, it is placed in a centrifuge machine, which spins at a speed of 3,000 RPM to separate the different components of blood based on their density.

During this centrifugation process, the platelet-rich plasma is isolated and collected, leaving behind red blood cells and other debris. This concentrated plasma is filled into insulin syringes and is injected into the face subcutaneously. These injections need to be done at a certain angle to ensure there are no infections or other side effects after the facial is completed.

Platelets are used for this purpose as they are our body’s warrior cells. They fight for our health and our body and help rejuvenate our skin, bringing back its shine.

As we grow older, blood circulation slows down and our face won’t possess the same regenerative blood cycle as it did in its youth. Platelets are indispensable for supporting immunity and facilitating tissue repair and regeneration.

There are multiple exercises like savasana that can slow down this process; people who continuously perform savasana every day for 15 minutes don’t need the PRP facial. However, not everyone has the time or inclination to perform yoga asanas regularly, so the vampire facial is a great scientific alternative to ensure that your skin gets all the necessary ingredients in its most concentrated form, to stay young and flawless.

What’s in the syringe?

The PRP treatment is subcutaneous and intravenous—medical terms for injections that will go a few levels below your skin surface—and is bound to be ever so slightly painful. However, a numbing cream is applied for 15-20 minutes before the process to help with the pain. And the process itself takes under 10 minutes to complete.

Preparing the PRP in the centrifuge using the GFC (Growth Factor Concentrate) takes about two hours, after which it is transferred to insulin syringes. However, there are ways to prepare the PRP without centrifuging as well; this process takes about three hours when done properly.

Apart from this, there are express PRP methods as well that prepare the injectable plasma in 30 minutes. These are quite expensive.

As a dermatologist with over 13 years of experience, I would say that a PRP facial that has taken two hours to prepare using the centrifuge method would be the safest method.

Preparing the PRP in the centrifuge is based on the GFC or Growth Factor Concentrate, which is known to have the following effects:

• Epidermal growth factor plays a significant role in regulating cell growth and enables and stimulates the revival of the topmost layer of your skin, the epidermis.
• Transforming growth factor is important in promoting the growth of new blood vessels.
• Vascular endothelial growth factor is a signalling protein that is also involved in the growth of blood vessels.
• Fibroblast growth factor encourages the development of fresh tissue to start the process of skin self repair by generating collagen. Collagen makes your skin look smooth, supple and youthful.
• Interleukins, macrophages, keratinocytes, endothelial cells, lymphocytes, fibroblasts, osteoblasts, basophils, mast cells are specialised cells that stimulate collagen synthesis to promote the production of healthy cells and repair damaged tissues effectively.
• Colony-stimulating factor promotes the increase of specialised repair cells, granulocytes and macrophages that stimulate healthy tissue and blood cells.
• Keratinocyte growth factor are epidermis cells that are vital for forming the skin barrier. Keratinocyte Growth Factor directly aids in wound healing and the regeneration of new skin.

Two to three sessions of PRP are good enough, after which a bi-annual maintenance session would suffice to combat anti-ageing.  I‘ve had a lot of patients tell me about a noticeable glow, fewer wrinkles and cleaner skin after a couple of sessions.

The dermatologist’s skill is based on the proper application of the numbing cream, ensuring there aren’t any infections, and making sure the angle at which the needle is injected is correct. The final point is vital—the PRP needs to be injected into the furrows of your wrinkles and right at its beginning and end. For smooth and radiant skin, a skilled dermatologist will need to make sure the bevel of the needle looks a certain way when they inject it.

Minimal side-effects 

Side effects of the PRP facial are caused by a variety of factors including misuse of needles, improper centrifuging and improper anaesthesia. Similarly, repeated injections on the same site need to be administered carefully—if it’s injected too deep, no results will show, and if it’s administered too superficially, it’ll lead to bruising or swelling, again with no result.

If there are contraindications on the face, like herpes or chickenpox, then the injections cannot be administered on that site. If you’re diabetic and mild cuts are an issue then you will have to disclose that to your dermatologist so that the appropriate mild antibiotic can be given to you orally or through a cream.

When compared to other minimally invasive beauty treatments, PRP facial has fewer side effects.  It is a very healthy solution for your skin as it offers all the nutritious elements in a concentrated format. It’s like food for your skin.

There are always new treatments and skincare hacks that show up on our social media feeds or through word-of-mouth—just make sure you know the details of it before committing to a specific treatment or routine.

Dr Deepali Bhardwaj is a Consultant Dermatologist, Max Hospital, Saket. She is also an anti-allergy specialist, laser surgeon and internationally trained aesthetician. She tweets @dermatdoc. Views are personal.

(Edited by Theres Sudeep)