“What is the difference between a Vampire Facelift and a Vampire Facial?”

The use of platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, in anti-aging and the aesthetic medicine in Atlanta has become increasingly popular for the treatment of fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture, and improvement of scars or overall skin rejuvenation. Recently, it’s even been useful for hair re-growth and hair restoration as well.

What’s the Deal with Vampire Procedures and Anti-Aging?

PRP is the platelet-rich plasma within our blood, which contains eight identifiable growth factors. Blood is drawn from a vein and then concentrated with the use of a centrifuge.

The platelets are thus concentrated to at least 4-6 times what is naturally found in the blood. When used in Vampire procedures, the PRP causes the release of these growth factors, which stimulates collagen production, blood vessel growth, tissue regeneration, healing, and true anti-aging!

What is the Vampire Facial?

To put it simply and answer the question that’s been presented, the difference between the two procedures is how the PRP is used on the face. With Vampire Facial, micro-needling is used to create thousands of microscopic channels of varying depths into the skin.

When the PRP is applied over the micro-needled areas, it’s able to penetrate deeper into the underlying skin. The PRP then intensifies the natural healing mechanism within the skin by the absorption of its high concentration of growth factors.

Micro-needling with PRP of the Vampire Facial is best for patients who have baseline good skin that isn’t severely damaged. The treatment is optimal for those looking for overall skin rejuvenation and improvement in skin texture. Several of the post-treatment pictures you’ve seen in prior posts that show a smiling person but plenty of redness represents the appearance immediately after a Vampire Facial. Depending on what PRP kit is used, the patient might even look like they’re covered in blood immediately after the procedure.

I tell people that it looks much worse than it feels. The redness and scratched-looking appearance may last for 1-2 days. Once the redness resolves, the skin tightening and rejuvenation begins.

Generally, with the Vampire Facial, periodic touch-ups are recommended to maintain the effects of the procedure.

What is the Vampire Facelift?

Vampire Facelift (PRP) is injected and combined with a hyaluronic acid filler such as Juvederm or Restylane Lyft. The filler is injected first into the areas of the deepest lines and greatest need.

After the PRP concentration process described for the Vampire Facial, the PRP is sometimes mixed with calcium chloride. This is meant to activate the growth factor immediately prior to injection. During the PRP injection process, multiple areas of the face (such as the forehead, under the eyes, and the cheeks) are targeted.

The use of PRP injections in the Vampire Facelift is especially best for patients with general facial volume loss. This can occur with aging and/or weight loss.  

After injection and over the next post-treatment days, the injected platelets release growth factors which stimulate collagen production, and tissue regeneration similar to the Vampire Facial, but at a much deeper level.

Despite the fact that both filler and PRP are injected into the skin with the Vampire Facelift, the facial appearance after the treatment is very mild.  Any swelling or redness is usually extremely minimal and temporary. After Dr. Slater performs the Vampire Facelift, you will notice a definite difference in skin quality, volume, and pore size.

The results will start to be seen and felt about 2-3 weeks after the procedure. They continue to improve for up to 3-4 months or more post-treatment.  Results should last at least 1 year and have been known to last up to 18 months.

If you have additional questions about this treatment, please feel free to visit our website. You can also schedule an appointment through our contact page, or view our specials here.