The Vampire Facial

The treatment typically takes about an hour to perform, depending on the extent of the area being treated. The procedure begins with a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Hudson during which he reviews your skin care goals, medical history, and any concerns you might have. Your face is then thoroughly cleaned to remove any oils, makeup, and dirt, ensuring a clean surface for the treatment. A small amount of your blood is drawn, typically from your arm, and spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma fraction from the red blood cells. A topical numbing cream is applied to the skin for thirty minutes. A micro-needling device is then used to create micro-injuries on the skin. PRP is applied topically to the skin using a syringe during the micro-needling process. PRP may also be injected into certain areas on the face. This process stimulates your skin’s natural healing and allows for deeper penetration of the PRP. After your Vampire Facial, it is normal to experience some redness, like a mild sunburn, as well as mild swelling or bruising involving the treated areas. These symptoms dissipate within a few days.

It may take two to three days on average to recover after a Vampire Facial. There are usually a few days where the skin may be slightly flushed, and feel a bit tight and dry, like a very mild sunburn. There may be some light flaking which occurs over a few days of recovery. Recovery time depends upon the needle depth and the amount of pressure applied during the micro-needling treatment. With stronger more aggressive treatment, the healing period can last five to seven days, and for a light refresher, two to three days. After your skin heals, clients can expect to develop a dewy glow with results that continue to improve with time. Over the next several weeks, patients report smoother, softer skin with an improvement in wrinkles on the face and décolleté if treated. Within months following a treatment, there continues to be gradual improvement in skin quality, texture, and tone. A vampire facial is an investment toward your skin’s future—it is not an immediate fix. Collagen Induction, that tightening and remodeling of your collagen, occurs over the course of six months to a year following a treatment.

Dr Hudson suggests performing a series of three PRP microneedling skin treatments spaced four to six weeks apart for maximum results. Most clients see results after only one treatment. But, of course, the response may vary depending on how well your skin responds to the PRP treatment. After completing an entire treatment plan and with proper aftercare, your results can last up to three years. With vampire facials, maintenance with a light refresher performed once or twice a year might be enough for someone younger without significant acne scarring. But for those clients trying to address deeper acne scars, a few more treatments may be required before beginning maintenance treatment. Cumulative results will be more noticeable with the more treatments you receive.

During the first few days after your treatment, keep it simple. The microwounds in the skin created during the treatment need to heal, so any harsh skincare products such as exfoliating acids should be avoided. For the first 4-6 hours, avoid touching the treated areas as it will be quite sensitive and in its healing phase, but you may wash with lukewarm water and or a mild cleanser at least 4-6 hours after the treatment. For the first 48 hours, Dr. Hudson recommends using a hyaluronic acid serum and a thin layer of Vaseline or Aquaphor on the surface if skin feels a little dry, or applying a gentle basic, fragrance-free moisturizer. Dr Hudson also recommends keeping your skin makeup free during the first forty-eight hours. Do not rub your skin and be quite gentle with it. Take Advil if you are feeling uncomfortable or experiencing some pain post treatment. If the pain worsens, contact Dr Hudson for further assistance. Apply ice to your face gently if the swelling is uncomfortable for you. After treatment, we recommend using a recovery cream like Aquaphor to help with healing and optimizing results. If improving hyperpigmentation is the goal, Dr. Hudson likes to incorporate a dark-spot-correcting cream after a couple of days of initial healing (48 to 72 hours) when it still can penetrate well. Clients should avoid going out into the sun during the recovery period for the first 72 hours. Vampire facials compromise the top layer of your skin and as such, it is more sensitive to UV radiation which can lead to postinflammatory hyper-pigmentation (PIH). Therefore, you need to be cautious. Avoid sun exposure during the initial healing period, then use plenty of sunscreen and wear sufficient sun protective clothing to keep your skin safe.

Prior to treatment, avoid alcohol and smoking up to five days before and after treatment as these can have a negative effect on platelet function and blood flow. Avoid over the counter medication, (e.g., Advil, ibuprofen), and supplements (e.g., garlic, ginseng, ginger, green tea, fish oil, Vitamin E) as these may interfere with platelets. Be well rested and stay hydrated on the day of treatment. Avoid fatty meals up to 6 hours prior to the procedure. Please do not wear any makeup or sunscreen on the day of treatment. On the treatment day, keep your skin clean and dry. A light moisturizer is okay if you normally use it.

There is minimal pain and discomfort during treatment. Dr Hudson can alter the needle depth making it more comfortable if needed. However, the deeper the needle depth, the better the results. After treatment, the patient’s face may feel tender, hot, and appear red, which may last from 24-48 hours. Since the Vampire Facial involves therapy with microneedling, a topical numbing cream is applied for thirty minutes prior to beginning the procedure to minimize discomfort. As such, the procedure is extremely comfortable with little discomfort if at all. In fact, some of our patients tend to fall asleep during the micro-needling as the vibration is very soothing.

Since the Vampire Facial involves microneedling, it is possible to experience bruising after the procedure, but this is more likely to occur when injections are performed, such as during a Vampire Facelift procedure. Minimal bruising occurs during a Vampire Facial which may last up to seven days. Swelling is a common side effect with any treatment. There may be some skin irritation following treatment– itchy and reddened skin following a PRP facial is quite normal and subsides fully in a couple of days. Gentle cleansers and sunscreens should be used during this time. The risk for infection is rare

Most clients are good candidates for a vampire PRP facial as it is natural and has minimal risks and side effects. Those who have fine lines, sun damage, uneven skin texture, acne and hyperpigmentation are ideal candidates for this procedure. Clients who are not candidates for this treatment are those that have autoimmune conditions, open wounds or those who have signs of poor healing, those who have an active infection, low platelet counts and individuals who have a history of keloid formation.

This treatment is safe for people of any age, but if you are taking a blood thinner, have an active blood born or skin cancer, or any medical condition related to blood, such as HIV, hepatitis C, or platelet dysfunction, or active skin infection, a vampire facial is not recommended. Clients who are pregnant and or nursing are not candidates for this treatment.

Results can last for a year or longer, particularly after a series of treatments as new collagen continues to build and remodel within the skin.

Depending on how quickly your skin ages, and your overall health, you may want to consider undergoing a Vampire Facial once or twice a year.