Thinking about how to get a more youthful look without surgery? The Vampire Facelift™ offers a powerful, non-surgical solution. This innovative treatment, sometimes called vampire lifting, uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from your own blood to naturally rejuvenate your skin. It’s a fantastic way to address the common signs of aging by using your body’s own healing abilities. For those seeking a top-tier vampire facial los angeles, this procedure is designed to tackle concerns like skin texture and lost volume, giving you a refreshed appearance.

  • Facial wrinkles
  • Thinning skin
  • Blotchy complexion
  • Dull grey looking skin
  • Loss of skin elasticity/sagging skin

It is called a Vampire Facelift™ because the facelift is achieved with the use of your own blood platelets combined with hyaluronic acids fillers. In this article we will concentrate on the blood portion.

The same PRP healing elements that we have written about throughout this website have been successfully applied to cosmetic medicine. The utilization of Platelets and other growth factors found in your blood, trigger new collagen production. This results is tauter, smoother and more youthful skin. When combined with dermal fillers; shape, color, texture and volume are all restored with the outcome lasting approximately 18 months.

In this article we will discuss how Platelet Rich Plasma, or “The Vampire Facelift,” can produce a more natural and youthful facial appearance than traditional surgical facelifts.

Although there can be a place for a surgical facelift, such procedures are not necessarily a panacea or cure-all to the concerns of the aging face. Cosmetic surgery when needed can remove excess skin and make the person appear younger. However, a surgical facelift can actually contribute to a face collapse as the skin stretches tighter against the bone making the person look skeletonized.

The Vampire Facelift provides non-surgical solutions to the challenges of maintaining a youthful appearance in aging faces. The procedure addresses:

  • Facial wrinkles.
  • Facial volume correction such as the thinning of the dermis (volume loss) seen with weight loss.
  • Improve texture of the skin and rejuvenate the complexion by using the combination of Platelet Rich Plasma therapy (PRP) and dermal fillers.
  • Changes in skin color. As we age we develop dull, greying skin because of reduced blood circulation in the face. The Vampire Facelift helps restore healthy natural looking glowing skin.
  • The loss of skin elasticity.
  • The slow collapse of the facial structure and subsequent droopiness in the shape of the face.

The PRP used in the Vampire Facelift® is the same as that used for years at Darrow Wellness to effectively speed joint, tendon and tissue repair. Our extensive experience using PRP to stimulate tissue repair and regeneration combined with our vast experience injecting fillers makes the Vampire Facelift® a cinch, with impressive results!

What is a Vampire Facial?

The name might sound like something out of a Hollywood movie, but the Vampire Facial is a sophisticated, science-backed skin treatment. It gets its memorable name from its core ingredient: your own blood. Specifically, the procedure uses platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, which is a component of your blood packed with growth factors. These are the same powerful healing agents your body uses to repair injuries. When applied to aesthetics, these growth factors signal your skin cells to regenerate, stimulating new collagen and elastin production for a naturally refreshed and more youthful appearance. It’s a way to use your body’s own resources to turn back the clock on your skin.

At the Stem Cell Institute, we’ve seen the incredible regenerative power of PRP therapy for years in treating joint and tissue injuries. Applying that same principle to facial rejuvenation was a natural next step. The goal isn’t to create a look that’s artificial or “done.” Instead, the Vampire Facial aims to restore your skin’s vitality from within, improving texture, tone, and overall radiance. It’s an effective option for anyone looking to address common skin concerns without resorting to more invasive methods. The treatment works with your body, not against it, for results that look and feel completely natural.

Vampire Facial vs. Vampire Facelift: What’s the Difference?

While they share a name and a key ingredient, the Vampire Facial and the Vampire Facelift are two distinct procedures designed to achieve different results. Both harness the power of PRP, but how it’s applied and what it’s combined with creates a different outcome. Think of it like this: the Vampire Facial is focused on refinishing the surface of your skin, while the Vampire Facelift is about restoring the underlying structure. Understanding the difference is the first step in deciding which treatment aligns with your personal aesthetic goals and can give you the results you’re looking for.

Choosing between the two really comes down to what you want to address. Are you bothered by surface-level issues like fine lines, acne scars, or dullness? Or are you concerned with a loss of volume, deeper wrinkles, and a change in your facial contours? One works on the canvas, and the other helps rebuild the frame. We can help you determine the right approach for your unique skin during a consultation, ensuring your treatment plan is perfectly tailored to you.

The Vampire Facial

The Vampire Facial is primarily a skin resurfacing treatment. The process begins with a simple blood draw, just like you’d have at a doctor’s office. That blood is then placed in a centrifuge to isolate the golden, nutrient-rich PRP. Here’s where the magic happens: we apply the PRP topically to your face and then use a microneedling device, like a Dermapen, to create thousands of tiny, controlled micro-injuries in the skin. These micro-channels allow the PRP to penetrate deep into the dermis, where it can get to work stimulating collagen and healing the skin from the inside out. This procedure is ideal for improving skin texture, reducing the appearance of large pores, and softening fine lines.

The Vampire Facelift

The Vampire Facelift is a more comprehensive procedure that addresses both skin quality and volume loss. Unlike the facial, this treatment involves injections. It combines the regenerative power of PRP with a hyaluronic acid filler, such as Juvéderm or Restylane. The filler provides immediate lift and volume to areas that have begun to sag or look hollow, restoring youthful contours to the cheeks, under-eyes, and jawline. Then, the PRP is injected to kickstart long-term collagen production, which gradually improves skin firmness, elasticity, and tone. This dual-action approach provides both instant structural support and lasting rejuvenation, making it a powerful alternative to a surgical facelift.

GROWTH FACTOR PRODUCTION KNOWN EFFECTS

  • Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) – Stimulates fibroblasts to secrete collagenase to degrade the matrix during the remodeling phase. Stimulates keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
  • Transforming Growth Factor- Promotes angiogenesis, up-regulates collagen production and inhibits degradation, promotes chemo attraction of inflammatory cells.
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) – Endothelial cells promote angiogenesis during tissue hypoxia.
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) – Promotes angiogenesis, granulation, and epithelialization via endothelial cell, fibroblast, and keratinocyte migration, respectively.
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) – Attracts macrophages and fibroblasts to zone of injury. Promotes collagen and proteoglycan synthesis.
  • Interleukins, Macrophages, keratinocytes, endothelial cells, lymphocytes, fibroblasts, osteoblasts, basophils, mast cells – Activates fibroblast differentiation. Induces collagen and proteoglycan synthesis.
  • Colony Stimulating Factors – Stimulates granulocyte and macrophage proliferation.
  • Keratinocyte Growth Factor – Fibroblasts stimulate keratinocyte migration, differentiation, and proliferation.

IN 2002, DOCTORS AT YALE UNIVERSITY DISCUSSED THE USE OF PRP FOLLOWING PLASTIC SURGERY.

  • The response of living tissue to injury is a central component in the planning of all surgical procedures.
  • The wound-healing process is typically divided into three phases (inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling) and it is a complex process where many components interact to restore a wound defect.
  • Platelets and their released growth factors are pivotal in the modulation of this entire process.
  • Although several techniques may be used to achieve repair after initial injury, few initiate and actually accelerate tissue regeneration. Both platelet gel and fibrin glue (body glue) are effective hemostatic agents.
  • Platelet gels, unlike fibrin glue, have a high concentration of platelets that release the bioactive proteins and growth factors necessary to initiate and accelerate tissue repair and regeneration.
  • In particular, two growth factors that play a major role in platelet gels are platelet-derived growth factor and transforming growth factor beta, which significantly increases and stimulates the deposition of extracellular matrix (the “soup” that cartilage grows from).
  • Platelet gels have global applications in surgery and are especially useful for the soft tissue and bony reconstructions encountered in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. In these applications, their use has been associated with a decrease in operative time, necessity for drains and pressure dressings, and incidence of complications.1

This study followed similar research from doctors at Florida Atlantic University who tested “PRP” gel and fibrin glue to evaluate their effectiveness in stopping capillary bleeding in the surgical flaps of patients undergoing cosmetic surgery.

The types of surgical procedures included face lifts, breast augmentations, breast reductions, and neck lifts.

Capillary bed bleeding was present in all tested cases and effectively sealed within 3 minutes following the application of platelet gel and fibrin glue. 2 Clearly, PRP is a healer and has a place in cosmetic procedures.

REVERSING SUN DAMAGE

In 2003, doctors at Scripps-XIMED Medical Center began looking at growth factors in the repair of sun damaged skin. This is what they wrote:

  • Though surgical procedures may be very effective, the associated healing time and potential risks have spurred the development of non-surgical treatments.
  • There has also been an increasing depth of knowledge regarding wound healing and its control by growth factors as well as its modulation by the topical application of growth factors.

The objective of this study was to determine if the twice daily application of a combination of multiple growth factors (such as those found in PRP) to photodamaged facial skin results in any evidence of improvement after 60 days.

  • Eleven of 14 patients showed clinical improvement in at least one facial area. The peri-orbital (around the eyes) region showed a statistically significant improvement.
  • There was a decrease in the depth and number of textural irregularities or fine lines.
  • Biopsies revealed new collagen formation  and thickening of the epidermis by 27%.
  • Eight of 14 patients felt their wrinkles were improved, while 12 of 14 felt their skin texture was improved.

The application of a mixture of topical growth factors may stimulate the repair of facial photodamage resulting in new collagen formation, epidermal thickening and the clinical appearance of smoother skin with less visible wrinkling.3

SKIN NEEDLING

In this study, doctors from Turkey evaluated the efficacy and safety of intradermal injection of PRP in the human facial rejuvenation.

Twenty women ranging in age from 40 to 49 years were enrolled in the study. PRP increases dermal collagen levels not only by growth factors, but also by skin needling. PRP application could be considered as an effective (even a single application) and safety procedure for facial skin rejuvenation.4

A paper from China notes that needling can change the aging state of skin possibly by strengthening the activity of fibroblasts in the skin and by increasing the content of soluble collagen.8

CIRCULATION

In a 2012 paper from the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary’s department of plastic surgery. Doctors wrote how platelets created collagen, created a fat layer, and created circulation in skin. In this study:

Patients were injected with a Platelet-rich fibrin maxtrix in the deep dermis and immediate subdermis of the upper arms.

  • Findings from examination supported the clinical observation of soft-tissue augmentation.
  • As early as 7 days after treatment, activated fibroblasts (healing cells)  and new collagen deposition were noted and continued to be evident throughout the 10 week course of the study.
  • Development of new blood vessels was noted by 19 days; also at this time, intradermal collections of adipocytes and stimulation of subdermal adipocytes were noted (fat layers of skin).5

NECK REVITALIZATION

In 2010, doctors in Italy wrote in the Journal of drugs and dermatology that “Face and neck revitalization with PRP is a promising easy-to-perform technique in face and neck rejuvenation and scar attenuation.”6

SAGGING SKIN

In 2014, doctors in Turkey wrote that in their patient studies, there was statistically significant difference regarding the general appearance, skin firmness-sagging and wrinkle state of the patients before and after three PRP applications.7

Is a Vampire Facial Right for You?

The Vampire Facial sounds intense, but it’s a powerful, non-surgical way to refresh your appearance. It uses your body’s own healing abilities to address common signs of aging. If you’re looking for a natural approach to smoother, firmer, and more radiant skin, this might be the perfect fit. However, like any medical procedure, it’s not suitable for everyone. It’s important to understand if you’re a good candidate and when it might be best to consider other options. Let’s walk through who benefits most from this treatment and who should hold off.

Ideal Candidates for the Treatment

The best candidates for a Vampire Facial are those looking for a non-surgical solution to the natural effects of aging. If you’re starting to notice fine lines, wrinkles, thinning skin, or a dull complexion, this treatment can make a real difference. It’s designed to restore lost volume, improve skin texture, and bring back a healthy, youthful glow. The Vampire Facelift is particularly effective for anyone wanting to rejuvenate their appearance without the downtime and risks associated with surgery, offering a more natural-looking result.

Who Should Avoid This Procedure?

While the Vampire Facial is safe for many, it’s not for everyone. You may not be a good candidate if you have a history of blood-related conditions that cause bleeding or clotting issues. It’s also generally not recommended for individuals with active skin cancer in the treatment area, Hepatitis C, or HIV. Additionally, if you are currently taking prescription blood thinners, you’ll need to discuss this with your provider during your consultation, as it could affect your eligibility and results. Honesty during your initial talk with the clinic is key to ensuring your safety and a successful outcome.

The Patient Experience: Before, During, and After

Knowing what to expect can make any new experience feel less intimidating. The Vampire Facial process is quite straightforward and is broken down into three simple phases: preparation, the procedure itself, and recovery. From what you should do the day before your appointment to how to care for your skin afterward, understanding the journey helps you feel confident and prepared. Each step is designed to ensure you are comfortable and get the best possible results from your treatment, setting you up for a smooth and positive experience from start to finish.

How to Prepare for Your Appointment

Preparing for your Vampire Facial is simple. In the days leading up to your appointment, focus on staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water. It’s also wise to avoid alcohol and any blood-thinning medications or supplements, like aspirin or fish oil, as they can increase the risk of bruising. The most important step is your initial consultation. This is your chance to discuss your goals and medical history with your provider to ensure the treatment is right for you. A thorough consultation ensures your provider can tailor the procedure to your specific needs.

What to Expect During the Procedure

When you arrive for your appointment, the first step is to make you comfortable. Your provider will apply a topical numbing cream to your face to minimize any discomfort. While the cream takes effect, a small amount of blood will be drawn, usually from your arm, just like a standard blood test. This blood is then placed in a centrifuge, a machine that spins it at high speed to separate the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from the other components. This “liquid gold” is then prepared for injection, sometimes combined with a hyaluronic acid filler, to begin the rejuvenation process.

Recovery and Aftercare Tips

After your Vampire Facial, you can expect to return to your daily activities with minimal downtime. It’s normal to experience some mild redness, swelling, or bruising at the injection sites, but this typically subsides within a few days to a week. Your provider will give you specific aftercare instructions, which usually include avoiding strenuous exercise, excessive sun exposure, and certain skincare products for a short period. Following these tips will help your skin heal beautifully and ensure you get the most out of your treatment.

Understanding the Results

One of the most exciting parts of any cosmetic treatment is seeing the results. With the Vampire Facial, the transformation is both immediate and gradual. While some effects are visible as soon as you leave the clinic, the real magic happens over the following weeks as your skin begins to produce new collagen. Understanding the timeline, how long the effects last, and how many treatments you might need will help you set realistic expectations and fully appreciate your skin’s beautiful, natural-looking renewal.

Timeline for Results

You’ll likely notice some initial plumping and smoothing right after your procedure, especially if hyaluronic acid fillers were used. This gives you an immediate lift and a preview of what’s to come. The full effects from the PRP, however, take a little more time to appear. As your body’s natural collagen production ramps up, you’ll see your skin texture continue to improve. Most people report seeing significant smoothing and a more radiant complexion after about two to three weeks, with results continuing to develop for a few months.

How Long Do Results Last?

The longevity of your results is one of the most appealing aspects of the Vampire Facial. Because the treatment stimulates your own collagen, the effects are lasting. Most patients enjoy their refreshed, more youthful appearance for about 12 to 18 months. Your individual results can vary based on your age, lifestyle, and skin condition. Maintaining a healthy skincare routine and protecting your skin from the sun can help extend the benefits even longer, making it a worthwhile investment in your skin’s health.

How Many Treatments Will You Need?

While a single Vampire Facial can produce beautiful results, some providers recommend an initial series of treatments to achieve the best, most long-lasting outcome. A common approach is to schedule three sessions, spaced about a month apart. This strategy helps build a strong foundation of new collagen, leading to more dramatic and durable improvements in skin texture and firmness. After your initial series, a maintenance treatment once a year is often enough to keep your skin looking its best.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

Because the Vampire Facial uses your own blood, it is a very safe procedure with a low risk of allergic reaction. However, like any treatment that involves injections, there are some potential side effects to be aware of. Most are mild and temporary, resolving on their own within a week. Knowing what is considered a normal part of the healing process versus what might require a call to your doctor can give you peace of mind as your skin recovers.

Common Side Effects

It’s completely normal to experience a few minor side effects after your Vampire Facial. The most common reactions include temporary swelling, mild tenderness, and some redness or bruising around the injection sites. You might also feel a slight tingling or itching sensation as your skin begins to heal. These effects are typically mild and resolve on their own within a few days. Think of it as a sign that your body’s natural regenerative processes have been activated and are hard at work.

Rare Complications and When to Contact Your Doctor

While rare, it’s important to know when to reach out to your provider. You should contact your doctor if you experience any signs of infection, significant or prolonged bleeding, excessive bruising, or pain that doesn’t improve with time. Choosing a qualified and experienced provider greatly minimizes these risks, but it’s always best to be informed. Your doctor will provide clear instructions on what to watch for and will be available to address any concerns you may have during your recovery.

Choosing a Provider and Understanding Costs

The success of your Vampire Facial depends heavily on two things: the skill of your provider and a clear understanding of the investment. The cost can vary based on several factors, and it’s important to remember that this is a medical procedure, not just a spa treatment. Prioritizing experience and qualifications over price is crucial for ensuring your safety and achieving the beautiful, natural-looking results you want. A great provider will not only perform the treatment expertly but also guide you through the entire process.

Factors That Influence Cost

The cost of a Vampire Facial isn’t one-size-fits-all. Several factors can influence the price, including the geographic location of the clinic and the experience level of the provider. The complexity of your specific treatment plan—for example, whether you are also receiving dermal fillers as part of a Vampire Facelift—will also play a role. During your consultation, you should receive a clear breakdown of the costs involved so you can make an informed decision that aligns with your budget and aesthetic goals.

Why Your Choice of Provider Matters

When it comes to procedures like the Vampire Facial, who you choose as your provider is everything. This isn’t the time to bargain hunt. You should always seek treatment from a board-certified doctor with specific training and a deep understanding of facial anatomy and regenerative techniques. An experienced provider will know how to customize the treatment to your unique facial structure, ensuring results that are both safe and beautifully natural. Their expertise is your best insurance for a positive outcome.

The Importance of Experience in Regenerative Medicine

A provider’s background in regenerative medicine is a significant advantage. At the Stem Cell Institute, our extensive experience using PRP therapy to repair joints and tissues gives us a unique and profound understanding of how to stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms. This deep knowledge, combined with vast experience in injecting fillers, makes procedures like the Vampire Facelift second nature. This expertise, honed over years by specialists like Dr. Marc Darrow, ensures that your treatment is not only effective but also performed with the highest level of skill, leading to impressive and reliable results.

Ready for Your Vampire Facial in Los Angeles?

Can blood really do all this?

Every skin product, whether the Vampire Facelift, traditional surgical facelift, creams, lotions or other injections such as botox, have before and after pictures. They all show improvements.  But why do we think the Vampire Facelift is the treatment to offer? Science. PRP has shown long-term to be able to change the skin of the face on a cellular level to that of a more youthful appearance.

The science is very deep.

2017: A study from leading Italian dermatology researchers found PRP treatments provided significant clinical improvement in skin texture, elasticity, skin smoothness parameters, and skin barrier function (keeping moisture in).1

A 2016 study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology recorded:

  • A series of 94 female patients with varying degrees of facial aging signs were treated with PRP and hyaluronic acid.
  • Average age was 53, youngest being 48, oldest 63. Average number of injections were about 3 and one-half.

Patients were asked to rate their personal satisfaction with their skin texture, pigmentation, and sagging. In addition, the overall results were rated by three independent physicians and the patients themselves. The outcomes were peer-reviewed, and correlations between the degree of the aesthetic scores and the number of injections were explored.

  • There was a statistically significant difference in general appearance, skin firmness-sagging and skin texture according to the patients’ before and after applications of PRP.
  • A statistically significant correlation was found between the number of injections and overall satisfaction.2

A new paper from doctors in Turkey suggests that Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) can give you a younger looking neck and face.

Published in the prestigious medical journal Annals of Dermatology,  the doctors gave only one treatment of PRP vampire facelift. These photos are of patients treated during the study:

 

 

 

  1. Cameli N, Mariano M, Cordone I, Abril E, Masi S, Foddai ML. Autologous Pure Platelet-Rich Plasma Dermal Injections for Facial Skin Rejuvenation: Clinical, Instrumental, and Flow Cytometry Assessment. Dermatol Surg. 2017 Apr 3.
  2. lusal BG. Platelet-rich plasma and hyaluronic acid – an efficient biostimulation method for face rejuvenation. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2016 Sep 5. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12271.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Vampire Facelift or Facial actually hurt? This is probably the number one question I get, and it’s a fair one! The name sounds intense, but the procedure is much more comfortable than you might think. Before anything begins, a strong topical numbing cream is applied to your face. While you might feel some slight pressure or a pinching sensation from the injections or microneedling, the numbing cream does a great job of minimizing discomfort. Most people describe the feeling as very manageable and not truly painful.

What’s the real difference between the Vampire Facial and the Vampire Facelift? Think of it this way: the Vampire Facial is like refinishing the surface of your skin, while the Vampire Facelift is about restoring its underlying structure. The Facial uses microneedling to help the PRP improve skin texture, fine lines, and pore size. The Facelift goes deeper by injecting both PRP and a hyaluronic acid filler to restore lost volume, lift sagging areas, and smooth out deeper wrinkles. Your choice depends on whether your main concern is your skin’s surface quality or a loss of facial contour and volume.

How much downtime should I plan for? One of the best parts of these treatments is the minimal downtime. After your procedure, you can expect some redness and mild swelling, similar to a sunburn, which usually calms down within a day or two. Some people experience minor bruising at the injection sites, but this can typically be covered with makeup and fades within a week. You can generally return to your normal activities right away, though it’s best to avoid strenuous workouts and direct sun for a couple of days.

How long will my results last? Because these treatments stimulate your body’s own collagen production, the results are impressively long-lasting. While you’ll see some immediate plumping if fillers are used in a Facelift, the full regenerative effects of the PRP become more visible over the following weeks and months. Most people enjoy their refreshed appearance for 12 to 18 months. To maintain the results, a single touch-up treatment once a year is often recommended.

Why should I choose this over something like a surgical facelift? A Vampire Facelift offers a powerful alternative for those who want significant rejuvenation without the risks, cost, and lengthy recovery of surgery. Instead of surgically removing skin, this procedure uses your body’s own healing power to restore a more youthful shape, color, and texture in a way that looks completely natural. It improves the actual quality of your skin from the inside out, avoiding the “stretched” or “done” look that can sometimes result from surgery.

Key Takeaways

  • Your own blood is the key ingredient: The Vampire treatments use platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from your body to stimulate new collagen. This naturally improves skin texture and firmness for a refreshed appearance that comes from within.
  • Facial vs. Facelift: Know the difference: The Vampire Facial is a resurfacing treatment that uses microneedling to improve skin texture and tone. The Vampire Facelift is a structural treatment that combines PRP with fillers to restore volume and lift the face.
  • Your provider’s expertise is non-negotiable: The safety and quality of your results are directly tied to your practitioner’s skill. Choose a qualified doctor with deep experience in regenerative medicine to ensure your treatment is performed correctly for a beautiful, natural outcome.

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