what is a Vampire Facial? The procedure – officially known as platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy – triggers a healing response in your skin to restore plumpness and glowy, youthful radiance. Essentially, the very best of your own blood, which is rich in growth factors, is used to promote optimal skin function and trigger the production of line-smoothing collagen.

In fact, even athletes use PRP to recover from injury quicker, such is its ability to stimulate healing in both sore ligaments and flagging skin cells. Here, we reveal everything you need to know about a Vampire Facial, from the not-as-scary-as-it-sounds process to how long those dewy results will last…

The Vampire Facelift process

will start by smoothing numbing cream over your skin, before drawing a little blood and placing it into a centrifuge to isolate the platelets. These platelets contain growth factors, which are proteins that communicate calming commands to skin cells, encouraging that all-important healing response.

Once the plasma rich platelets have been extracted, they’re injected back into key areas of your skin, depending on where you want the plumping to take place. For extra hydration, moisture magnet hyaluronic acid can be mixed in with the platelets. You can also opt to swap injections with microneedling, which creates tiny punctures in the skin, allowing the PRP to penetrate deeper.

Any remaining plasma rich platelets will then be applied to your face. If you choose microneedling, this is the point where you start to resemble Kim K’s selfie. The pore-plumping cocktail will be expertly massaged in, at which point you head home and allow it to absorb overnight. This is a skin regeneration experience like no other.

 

What does the Vampire Facial do?

‘What doesn’t it do?’ would be the better question. PRP therapy is something of a cure-all, helping to replace lost volume in the skin, fill crepey lines and reduce the appearance of stretch marks or scarring. It ensures skin looks its healthiest because it’s functioning at its healthiest. You can even ask for platelets to be injected in areas where hair is thinning, as it can stimulate the follicles and encourage new hair growth.

What happens after a Vampire Facial?

you’ll be advised to leave the platelet blend on your skin, and you may experience a little bit of redness. If the PRP was injected, there will be little to no downtime post-facial. For those who chose microneedling, you may experience a small amount of scabbing, bruising and swelling, which may lasts a few days.

Then, the results appear. Dark circles are diminished, wrinkles are softened, discolouration fades and skin has a healthy glow within a few short weeks of a series of three treatments. By teaming PRP with microneedling and hyaluronic acid, you’ll also see a reduction in the appearance of scars and stretch marks over the course of three to six months.

How do I care for skin post Vampire Facial?

As with all facials, all of the time, we recommend you apply sunscreen daily post-treatment. You should also avoid acids, retinols and active ingredients for a week, so you don’t irritate your skin. Instead, opt for gentle cleansers  and moisturisers that nourish delicate pores, like the ZO Skin Health Hydrating Cleanser and light Hydrating Crème.

How long will the results of a Vampire Facial last?

After completing your recommended course of treatments, your Vampire Facial results will last for six to 12 months, making it one of the most effective facials available.

 

Choosing The Right Type of Facial Cleansers

 

Quick Test
If your skin feels taut and pulled after you’ve cleansed, then you’ve disrupted the natural lipids that your skin excretes. So any cleanser that makes your skin feel squeaky clean is a no no. It’s dehydrating and it creates dermal impairment.

 

Foaming and gel-based Facial Cleansers

ROLE: REMOVE EXCESS OIL FROM SKIN WITHOUT LEAVING IT STARVED OF MOISTURE

SKIN CONDITION: BEST FOR SKIN THAT’S NORMAL, COMBINATION AND OILY

 

Creams, milks and lotions Facial Cleansers

ROLE: MOISTURISE AND HYDRATES AS THEY CLEAN

SKIN CONDITION: FOR MATURE, DRY, NORMAL, DEHYDRATED SKIN.

 

Micelle waters and oil Facial Cleansers

ROLE: HELPS REMOVAL OF MAKEUP AND YOUR SKIN NEEDS AN EXTRA CLEANSE
SKIN CONDITION: BEST SUITED TO SENSITIVE SKIN TYPES.