The so-called “Vampire Facial”: It’s all the rage in Hollywood these days, and even Kim Kardashian is a devotee. So what’s so special about this unique style of facial, and how does it even work? We break it down for you below, plus fill you in on how we’ve upped the ante by offering an even more advanced and effective version of the popular procedure.

What Is the Vampire Facial?

You may have watched wide-eyed on television as Kim Kardashian experienced a particularly gruesome version of the famed Vampire Facial. At Anderson Plastic Surgery and MedSpa, there’s no pain — and there are no bloody faces. We combine radio-frequency facial microneedling with the application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in order to improve the skin’s texture and pigment, resulting in a smooth complexion and youthful glow.

How Does It Work?

The Vampire Facial begins with facial microneedling, a minimally-invasive treatment in which a small device with tiny needles creates hundreds of tiny punctures in the top layer of the skin, triggering the body to create new collagen and elastin and opening the skin for deeper penetration of topical treatments. Much as we aerate our lawns in order to allow the soil to be nourished by water and nutrients, so microneedling allows healthy, new skin cells and healing proteins from your platelet-rich plasma to permeate the top layer of your skin and encourage skin rejuvenation.

Unlike many medical spas, Anderson MedSpa also incorporates radio frequency (RF) into our microneedling process. Our state-of-the-art microneedling equipment uses radio waves to gently warm the skin, stimulating additional collagen growth for toned and firmed skin. It’s an added bonus!

What’s the Procedure Like?

Before we begin microneedling, we will numb your face for up to 30 minutes using topical lidocaine. This ensures the full procedure is comfortable and pain-free. The microneedling procedure itself also takes approximately 30 minutes. Some patients also opt to add microneedling to their neck and chest.

Approximately 25 minutes after microneedling, we begin the process of applying your platelet-rich plasma to the skin. First, an aesthetician at Anderson MedSpa will draw your blood and spin it in a centrifuge in order to separate your platelet-rich plasma. This part of your blood contains special growth factors and other nourishing proteins that stimulate collagen production and speed healing. Then, we use a syringe to slowly and methodically apply your plasma topically to your skin, allowing it to penetrate deep into the skin for rejuvenation. As our beloved aesthetician Jana says, since microneedling has just created open channels in the skin, anything applied topically has an “awesome response.”

What Can a Vampire Facial Treat?

Radio frequency microneedling with PRP can treat a wide variety of skin conditions and generally improve the texture, firmness and pigmentation of your skin. Because the procedure essentially gives you a fresh layer of facial skin and stimulates ongoing collagen and elastin growth, it can minimize wrinkles, fine lines, and acne scarring, create a more even pigment to address hyperpigmentation, redness and blotchiness, firm and tone the skin for a more youthful look and even reduce pore size. People of all skin types are candidates for the procedure.

Is There Any Pain or Downtime?

The full microneedling + PRP procedure takes about an hour and a half in our Fort Worth medical spa. Topical lidocaine numbing minimizes any discomfort. Afterward, patients may see some scabbing, but can resume their normal cleansing regimen and wear makeup the following day. Most patients see complete healing and excellent results within five to seven days.

Curious to learn more about radio-frequency microneedling with PRP? Ready to schedule your appointment? Contact us today.