PRP Facial Rejuvenation / Vampire Facial

The Vampire Facelift® is a non-surgical treatment that produces a remarkable change in skin quality, firmness, and appearance. The main difference between a Vampire Facelift® and a Vampire Facial is that the Vampire Facelift includes a customized injection of a hyaluronic acid-based filler (HA), such as Juvéderm or Restylane, to enhance facial shape.

A Platelet rich plasma (PRP) Facial and a Vampire Facial are similar procedures. The only difference is that the Vampire Facial is trademarked and requires specialized training and certification, which we have at Alinea Medical Spa.

A Vampire Facial is a minimally invasive procedure that draws a small amount of your blood, which is processed to extract the platelet rich plasma (PRP). This plasma facial material or PRP is then injected into strategic areas to smooth, plump, and rejuvenate the skin.

PRP or platelet rich plasma is a fluid derived from your own blood. The blood is processed in a manner that concentrates the growth factors and cytokines. These blood components trigger a response in your skin and body, signaling it to produce fresh cells. The injection of PRP or PFRM helps activate multipotent stem cells in the adipose tissue (fatty tissue) to differentiate and regenerate new adipocytes (specialized cells that store fat in connective tissues).

PRP is the ideal treatment to smooth away fine lines, wrinkles, and scars. PRP is delivered into your skin with microneedling. The combination of microneedling and PRP triggers natural skin regeneration that continues for months after treatment.

Microneedling is a technique for administering platelet rich plasma (PRP) to infuse it into your skin structure, where it can work its magic. Microneedling first gained momentum in the 1990’s to treat scars and pigmentation with devices like a derma roller. Today microneedling is an advanced skin-smoothing procedure that involves using an automated “pen” system that deploys tiny needles with accuracy and precision.

Microneedling, also known as “collagen induction therapy” or “skin needling,” involves creating microscopic channels in your skin to stimulate fibroblast (a cell that produces collagen) activity for increased collagen production. Microneedling and PRP therapy go hand-in-hand beautifully, as the micro-injuries create a direct pathway for the PRP to enter the dermal layers where real-world skin rejuvenation occurs.

Microneedling is required to get the PRP and PFRM deep into the skin tissues and is always part of the Vampire Facial and Vampire Facelift® procedures.

It depends on your problem areas and your goals. Both treatments are designed to address mild to moderate skin aging. The Vampire Facelift®, however, is better suited for correcting volume loss in areas such as cheeks, jowls, jawline, upper and lower eyelids, and sagging neck skin (“turkey neck”).

The reason the treatment is called a “facelift,” as opposed to a “facial,” is because hyaluronic acid filler (HA) recreates the youthful contours of youth. Over time, the hyaluronic acid and PRP stimulate collagen growth and a stronger skin structure, the scaffolding that gives the skin a firm, supple, youthful appearance.

A Vampire Facial, or “PRP facial,” can reduce the appearance of acne scarring, uneven skin texture, wrinkles, and sun spots, but does not enhance the facial shape or restore volume loss. If your cheeks are flatter or your mouth corners have turned down, then a Vampire Facial may not be the right procedure for you. For these aesthetic concerns, a Vampire Facelift® is recommended.

A personal consultation with our talented, certified physician, Dr. Ammar Mahmoud, is the best way to determine if The Vampire Facelift® is right for you.

The Vampire Facial and Vampire Facelift® procedure take a few hours to complete. This includes drawing blood, preparing the PRP, PRFM, HA (Vampire Facelift® only), and performing the procedure.

Since cellular regeneration and rejuvenation uses the body’s own active components, facial skin renewal can continue for about three months after the procedure. The overall effects of the Vampire Facelift® can last 12 to 18 months, longer than what is achieved with fillers alone. PRFM lasts an average of 15 months before the need to repeat the procedure. There are certain lifestyle habits that can improve and even prolong the outcome of the Vampire procedures. These include eating a healthy diet, limiting sun exposure, avoiding smoking, narcotics, alcohol, and damaging skincare products.

This will vary from patient to patient; however, on average it is recommended to complete between three and four sessions. To maintain smooth, healthy-looking skin, follow-up touch-ups are recommended once or twice a year.

The recovery time tends to vary depending on each patient. Generally, most patients can resume social activities in two to three days after the procedure. The benefits of the procedure will begin to appear approximately five to six weeks. We advise our patients to avoid wearing makeup for three to four days following the PRP procedure and to protect the skin from the sun while the skin regenerates and new skin cells are produced.

Most people can safely undergo a PRP Facial at our New York City facility, Alinea Medical Spa. Since the procedure is so well-tolerated, PRP therapy is excellent for treating most skin types, even extremely sensitive areas on the face and body. There are some contraindications, however, such as taking certain medications or specific health conditions. A PRP Vampire Facial cannot be performed if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. You must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible to undergo a PRP facial and PRP Facelift® treatments. A thorough consultation and assessment with our certified physician will help to determine if you’re a good candidate for a PRP Facial.

The Vampire Facelift® is not for everyone. If you are experiencing more advanced signs of aging, you may benefit more from a combination of treatments or injectables such as BOTOX. If you are living with moderate signs of aging, we may recommend a non-surgical treatment such as PRP or hyaluronic acid fillers alone.

The risks associated with having a PRP facial at our state-of-the-art New York City medical spa are minimal. Since the treatment uses your own blood, the chances of developing an allergic reaction or complications are extremely unlikely. You will be sent home with a detailed list of easy-to-understand aftercare instructions. If you follow these instructions are followed carefully, the recovery and healing process is typically easy and smooth.

Yes, absolutely, PRP facials with microneedling work extremely well to smooth and fade mild acne scarring and even stretch marks. A Vampire Facial administered beneath your eyes can create a marked improvement in skin smoothness, brightness and reduced under eye circles.

The cost of a Vampire Facial and Vampire Facelift in our Alinea Medical Spa may range from $1,800 to $2,500, depending on whether fillers are administered and how many syringes are needed. If you have some degree of sagging, we may recommend a Vampire Facelift® to target age-related volume loss.