The Trend

 It was the Instagram heard around the world. A graphic photo not of Kim Kardashian’s most famous asset, but instead a shot of her face… covered in blood. Further inspection showed that the prolific Kardashian wasn’t the victim of a bloody crime, but something of an even more sinister-sounding nature – the Vampire Facial.
It’s a beauty treatment that entered the mainstream cosmetic vernacular last March, when an episode of ‘Kim and Kourtney Take Miami’ documented Kim getting a facial that utilized her own blood, which is said to rejuvenate the skin while removing fine lines and acne scars.
We were skeptical, at first. After all, the Kardashian’s have been known to perform stunts for television ratings in the past –a $51 million dollar wedding, anyone – but now that Victoria’s Secret model Bar Refaeli shared a picture of herself getting the same treatment, we’re listening.
What gives with the vampire facial?  The platelet-rich mixture used in the PRP facial is obtained by spinning a sample of the patients’ blood in a centrifuge for about 15 minutes, which separates the plasma from the red blood cells. Dr. Ingber then extracts healing platelets from the base of the plasma gel and micro needles them into target areas such as the cheeks, eyes, or neck, usually after numbing the area to avoid discomfort. The entire process takes about 45 minutes to an hour and costs around $750.
PRP works because granules in the platelets in skin stimulate collagen production and promote tissue recovery, smoothing the skin and removing fine lines and wrinkles. There is virtually no risk of adverse reaction since the plasma is extracted from the patient’s own body, and the procedure can be done multiple times if desired.
In fact, PRP treatment has benefits beyond the cosmetic world—the collagen-producing platelets can be injected to heal ailments ranging from nerve injuries to bone repair and can be used for hair restoration.
The Results
People generally begin to see and feel the effects of the PRP facial within about two days, and the plasma actually continues filling out the skin for the next two months. The results can last a year, or even longer in some cases.
Call Dr. Ingber at Dermacure Medical Aesthetics today to schedule your free consultation 661-257-8400.