What is a Vampire Facial ® vs. Vampire Facelift ®?

The Vampire Facial ® and Vampire Facelift ® are protected by US Patent & Trademark Law. They are trademarked medical procedures developed by Charles Runels, MD. Only providers who “pay to play” can utilize these trademarked brands, all other practitioners outside of the Runels network refer to this same procedures using other descriptive terminologies. As with any industry, those first to market with the latest and greatest seem to become the default nomenclature much like “Xerox” copiers and “Kleenex” tissue.

But what are these treatments really?

In truth, the “vampire” description is a little gimmicky and a bit misleading as the portion of the blood used in the treatments isn’t even red at all. Once the blood has been prepared for the treatment it is free of red bloodcells, which are discarded, and the portion used for the treatment is known as “Liquid Gold” due to its yellowy color. I hear you ask, Maxine, why is Kim Kardashian’s face painted with blood red serum following her Vampire Facial in all the ads I have seen for Vampire treatments? Can you say, photo op???!!!

Before further explaining the treatments we need to understand what Liquid Gold is, because that is the heart of the matter. Liquid Gold is technically known as PRP; Platelet Rich Plasma. Platelets are important because they are the first cells to arrive on the scene, in whole blood (blood running through our veins) to release growth factors for healing and regeneration where needed. 

When concentrated, as in PRP, wherever they are delivered by Injection or post MicroNeedling, they release massive amounts of growth factors to create a matrix generating collagen and other “youthening” type factors. PRP stimulates stem cells and fat cells in the skin to increase volume, improve color, quality of skin tone and texture by regenerating new capillaries to feed the skin, as well as thicken skin to reverse the thinning which occurs as part of the aging process. It is clear to see why PRP is referred to a Liquid Gold.

Vampire or PRP/Blood Facial

A PRP/Blood Facial is a natural non-surgical, minimally invasive option to help stave off the effects of aging as well as decrease scarring that may have resulted from acne, chicken pox, surgical scars, burns or keloids. This cosmetic medical procedure can be broken down into three steps. First, the treatment starts with a simple in-office blood draw by a trained professional, usually just a couple of vials of blood from your arm, which then are placed into a centrifuge. This device is key as it separates the plasma and platelets from the red blood cells. Next, the provider, typically an Aesthetician, uses a MicroNeedling device to create micro-injuries to the skin which initiates the healing cascade whereby special cells called fibroblasts are stimulated to rejuvenate the skin by producing collagen. Lastly, the Aesthetician paints the PRP serum onto the skin so that the stem cells contained in the serum can work to communicate with the stem cells of the skin, a cell to cell communication, to further enhance the release of growth factors. Release of growth factors in the skin is also a result of the MicroNeedling treatment. The net-net is that the PRP serum acts as a booster to enhance the effects of MicroNeedling.

Even though I am not a fan of gluten-filled white flour, refined sugar or prepared food, I will use this time travel reference of a Jell-O Poke Cake as an illustration all of us Baby Boomers will remember, to best explain how PRP (the Jell-O) moves into our skin (the cake) post MicroNeedling.

Typical results of MicroNeedling with a PRP Booster include skin tightening, a dewy or healthy glow, and softening of scars for a beautiful younger, natural looking result because as previously stated, the PRP serum triggers the release of growth factors tricking your skin into making it think it’s younger.  Now that is some special kind of voo-doo! The Results compound with each treatment thus improvements are continuous and progressive while your skin is working for you. It is a very organic approach to anti-aging and scar reduction.

Vampire Facelift ® or Liquid Facelift ™ …known at SkinRevision as PRP Facelift

Simply put, a Vampire Facelift ® or Liquid Facelift ™, is a combination of Filler/s and PRP Injections. There are presently no less than a half dozen different fillers on the market, most of which are made from Hyaluronic Acid (HA), which is a hydration agent naturally occurring in our body capable of drawing 1000 times its molecular weight in water to itself. This is why HA is such a great skin volumizer. The reason there are so many varieties of filler, with a wide range of price points, is that different consistencies are best used in certain parts of the face. Based on how we animate and other variables, the practitioner will recommend one filler over another. This enables the “Facelift” to be customized and tailored for each patient specifically targeting their area/s of concern. HA is delivered into the skin by the injector to provide a scaffold-like structural upon which the PRP matrix will work to activate the surrounding stem cells of the skin to produce fibroblasts which will build collagen, increase fat cells to further plump the skin and develop an enhanced circulatory network to restore the natural glow of youthfulness.

Side note: The healing abilities of PRP are undeniable, aside from its applications in the world of Medical Cosmetics, PRP is an injection procedure used commonly in the medical community to treat the following conditions:

•  Osteoarthritis of the Knee, Shoulder, and hip
•  Tendinitis
•  Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
•   ACL Injuries
•   Urine incontinence
•   Back and Neck Injuries
•   Tennis Elbow
•   Ankle Sprains
•   Rotator Cuff Injury
•   Ligament Sprains
•   Cosmetic (Face Lift, Breast Lift, Penile Enlargement)
•   Hair Restoration