Over time, the texture and color of your skin can begin to change as your skin ages. One of the main reasons for this is reduced collagen which happens naturally as you get older. Collagen production can decrease linearly every year resulting in more wrinkles, less volume, and skin that feels thinner and less elastic.
A great treatment that can help decrease signs of aging while evening out skin tone is the vampire facial. This two-in-one treatment can help minimize the appearance of wrinkles, stimulate collagen production, reduce age spots, and give skin a better texture. If you want to learn more about this treatment, it is one of the services that we offer at Aspire Aesthetics. We are always happy to set up a consultation to answer any questions you have about our aesthetic treatments. Here are some of the frequently asked questions we receive at our clinic about vampire facials.
What Is a Vampire Facial?
“Vampire facial” is a name that describes any microneedling treatment that also includes the application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from your own body. When combining both treatments, your skin can benefit from the collagen-stimulating effects of microneedling plus the healing effects of platelet-rich plasma. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Harvesting the PRP
Platelet-rich plasma is a component of the blood. When blood is spun in a special FDA-approved centrifuge, the PRP separates from the rest of the blood. This golden-colored liquid is valuable for its healing properties and is used in many different cosmetic settings to encourage collagen production. Because the blood is taken from the patient’s own body, there is little risk of reactions regardless of whether it’s applied topically or injected. The first step of our vampire facial is to draw a small amount of blood from your body and spin it in our centrifuge machine.
Step 2: Microneedling Treatments
Microneedling is a treatment that has been around for many years and which continues to provide benefits for patients. During the next step of your treatment, we will perform microneedling on your skin.
We use a professional-grade microneedling device to carefully puncture the skin in a controlled environment. Rather than injuring your skin, microneedling devices create tiny microchannels. To respond to these tiny perforations, the body sends out collagen-producing fibroblasts.
Even by itself, microneedling can offer many benefits. It can help to even out skin texture and break down scar tissue in patients who have acne scarring. By stimulating collagen production, microneedling can also help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by restoring the skin’s inner structure. This treatment can also help to break down excess melanin in the skin which can lead to more even-toned skin.
Step 3: Topical PRP Application
Once the microneedling portion of the treatment is complete, we will finish by applying your own PRP topically to the treatment area. With the microchannels, the PRP is able to absorb deeper into the skin. It can help compound the collagen-stimulating benefits of microneedling with the purpose of providing more volume and better texture to aging skin. It also helps to speed up the healing of the microchannels.
What Is the Difference Between a Vampire Facial and a Vampire Facelift?
While a vampire facial is simply microneedling with PRP, a vampire facelift is the combination of PRP injections into the face with other dermal filler injections. During a vampire facelift, dermal fillers provide an instant lift to skin that has lost elasticity and fullness. Because hyaluronic acid fillers do not stimulate collagen production, adding PRP injections helps to offer more long-term benefits. In some cases, these treatments can be offered together, but you should always check with your doctor before pursuing any treatment plan.
Do Vampire Facials Hurt?
Microneedling does not typically come with a significant amount of discomfort. While you will likely feel a scratching sensation as the needles puncture your skin, the procedure is not painful. The needles penetrate the skin at a very precise depth and numbing cream is used to anesthetize the treatment area before we begin.
What Does Recovery Time for PRP Facials Look Like?
PRP facials are a very low downtime treatment. After your treatment, you may have some redness and swelling as your skin responds to the stimulation. Your skin may also feel tight and dry. While this shouldn’t prevent you from engaging in your regular activities, some people choose to stay home for the day while the redness fades.
Special care should be taken with your skin in the days following your treatment. It’s important to stay away from too much sun exposure, strenuous exercise, or harsh skin care treatments. You should also avoid touching your face too much to avoid irritating the skin as it heals, and you can apply a light moisturizer and gentle sunscreen as needed.
How Soon Can You Expect Results?
Everyone is different when it comes to the results of a vampire facial. However, in most patients, their skin will gradually improve over the weeks following the treatment. Full effects of the treatment are commonly seen by 3-6 months post-treatment. Adding regular PRP facial treatments to your skincare routine can provide lasting benefits and make your skin appear more youthful over time.
Improve Your Skin With Vampire Facials in Hendersonville, TN
If you are looking for ways to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, lighten dark marks, smooth acne scars, and improve the overall health and texture of your skin, a vampire facial can be a great way to achieve your aesthetic goals. At Aspire Aesthetics, we always put our patients first regardless of the treatment. Contact us today for vampire facials in Hendersonville, TN.
