What Is a Vampire Facial and Why Is It So Popular? An Esthetician Shares the Potential Benefits and Downsides

While the name is admittedly a little scary-sounding, a vampire facial is a skin care procedure aimed at improving the texture and appearance of your skin. The results are said to last more than a year. But what exactly is a vampire facial, and how does it work?

What is a vampire facial?

A "vampire facial" is a nickname for a cosmetic service that combines two skin care treatments: platelet-rich plasma (PRP) facial and microneedling.

The procedure gets its nickname because your own blood is used to deliver health-promoting nutrients to the skin on your face. While it may sound intense, the treatment is actually quite straightforward.

What happens in a vampire facial?

A vampire facial takes about an hour and consists of the following steps:

1. Blood draw: A licensed practitioner draws a small amount of blood, usually from your arm. This is similar to the process of giving blood.

2. Creating platelet-rich plasma: Your blood is then placed in a machine called a centrifuge. This machine spins quickly to separate the platelets (cell fragments made by your bone marrow) and plasma (the liquid part of your blood) from the rest of your blood. This PRP is what will later be spread onto your face.

3. Microneedling: After cleansing and applying a numbing cream to your face, the practitioner performs microneedling. This involves passing a roller with very fine, short needles over your skin to puncture the top layer. Microneedling does two things. First, it gives the PRP an easier route into your skin to help it penetrate better. Second, it creates small injuries to your skin. As these injuries heal, it stimulates collagen production.

4. PRP application: The practitioner spreads the PRP onto your face in a thin layer, giving your face a red sheen. After leaving the PRP on for 8 to 12 hours, you wash it off with lukewarm water.

Most often, vampire facials are done by board-certified dermatologists or plastic surgeons. But they can be done by anyone with a valid medical license. This includes:

• Registered nurses (RNs)

• Nurse practitioners (NPs)

• Physician's assistants (PAs)

• Other medical doctors (MDs)

Rules and regulations vary by state, but most states don't allow estheticians to perform vampire facials.

There's a similar but more invasive procedure called a "vampire facelift." This is where the PRP is injected directly into your skin with a syringe, similar to Botox or filler injections. But vampire facelifts are less common than vampire facials.

What are the benefits of a vampire facial?

PRP is rich in growth factors, compounds that can help stimulate cell growth and repair. When PRP is applied directly to your face (especially after microneedling), these growth factors can penetrate into your skin and may help it in a number of ways:

• Improving skin texture and elasticity by producing collagen and elastin

• Minimizing the appearance of pores

• Smoothing fine lines and wrinkles

• Reducing the appearance of sun damage

• Reducing the appearance of dark under-eye circles

• Providing hydration and promoting better moisture retention

• Boosting skin tone and reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation and melasma

What are alternatives to a vampire facial?

A vampire facial isn't for everyone. For one thing, people who aren't fans of needles will likely steer clear, given the blood draw and microneedling involved. But there are other skin care treatments you can try to get similar results.

Microneedling

Microneedling is one part of a vampire facial, but you can do it on its own, too. As mentioned above, microneedling (also called collagen induction therapy) involves passing a roller with very fine needles over your skin to create small injuries. As these injuries heal, the skin produces collagen, elastin, and proteins that can help:

• Reduce wrinkles

• Repair signs of sun damage

• Reduce the appearance of acne scars

Laser therapy

Laser therapy, also called photorejuvenation, uses various types of lights (lasers) to improve skin's texture and appearance. Like microneedling, laser therapy delivers small injuries to your skin. As your skin heals, new, healthy skin cells are created. This can help reverse sun damage and reduce wrinkles.

Chemical peels

A chemical peel, also known as chemical exfoliation, uses gentle acids or enzymes to remove dead skin cells from your face, exposing the fresh skin underneath. Chemical peels done at your dermatologist's office are stronger and more effective than those done at home.

The results of a chemical peel aren't usually as significant as those from a vampire facial. This is because a vampire facial allows the beneficial compounds from PRP to penetrate more deeply into your skin. That said, a chemical peel can:

• Smooth skin

• Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

• Even out skin tone

Who should avoid a vampire facial?

Vampire facials can be safe. But it's crucial that they're performed by a qualified professional using sterile equipment and proper blood handling to avoid the risk of infection.

Still, some people may need to avoid vampire facials. Talk to your primary care provider first if you:

• Have a blood or clotting disorder, like Von Willebrand disease or hemophilia

• Take a blood-thinning medication, like warfarin or heparin

• Have an active infection

• Have cancer, especially blood or skin cancer

• Have an autoimmune condition

• Are pregnant or nursing

• Have diabetes

How to prepare for your vampire facial

To prepare for a vampire facial, closely follow all care instructions provided beforehand. General guidelines usually include:

• Staying hydrated: In the days leading up to your treatment, aim for at least 90 oz of water per day.

• Avoiding sun exposure and tanning: Sun exposure can cause irritation and inflammation that can negatively affect your results. Try to avoid the sun for a week before your appointment, and always wear sunscreen afterward.

• Avoiding blood thinners: This includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, which can increase bleeding risk and interfere with the clotting process. (Make sure you talk to your primary care provider before pausing any prescribed medications.)

• Avoiding alcohol and caffeine for 48 hours before your facial: Both can be dehydrating. Alcohol can also act as a blood thinner.

• Showing up with a clean face: While your practitioner will clean your face before the facial, it's best to show up without any makeup or product on your skin.

What to expect after a vampire facial

After a vampire facial, you'll be instructed to keep the PRP on your face for about 8 hours. Many people leave it on until the following morning. Rinse it off using water without cleanser.

You may experience some redness and/or swelling as your skin heals. Some people say their skin feels tight and inflamed, like a sunburn. Try to avoid touching your face.

For a few days, steer clear of:

• Any exercise that makes you sweat

• Swimming

• NSAIDs, including ibuprofen and naproxen

• Sunscreen (and sun exposure)

• Makeup

Some people find it helpful to sleep with their head propped up for a night or two to reduce swelling and bruising.

Frequently asked questions