The current season of Kourtney and Kim Take Miami has given us a lot of beauty buzz to explore. Last week, we were left searching for an explanation for Kourtney Kardashian drinking butter and this week, her sister Kim’s bloody facial left us with lots of questions about the gory procedure. So what exactly is this “Vampire Facial” that had the show’s viewers covering their eyes?
PRP Treatment (also known as Selphyl, “Vampire Facial” or “Blood Facial”) is a treatment in which doctors use the patient’s own blood to give the skin a more youthful appearance. “The Vampire Facial get its name from the process. To begin, the doctor draws three vials of blood from the patient. This is then spun in a centrifuge for about 20 minutes, separating it into different components as well as concentrating the platelets. The blood is then injected back into the patient’s face and neck with fine needles,” explains Smithtown, NY, facial plastic surgeon James Marotta, MD.
Once the blood is drawn, the injection process takes about 16 minutes but even though it might be quick, it’s not without some drawbacks. “The process can be painful and pricey,” says Dr. Marotta. “And the patient will experience bruising and soreness.” However, “the product is totally safe as it is made by your own body,” adds West Palm Beach, FL, facial plastic surgeon Michael Schwartz, MD. “My patients experience no more discomfort then they have with other fillers.”
As strange as it sounds, according to Dr. Marotta, it works. “You see an immediate difference after the procedure, and full plumping results three to four weeks later. The injections also help stimulate the production of collagen, which improves the volume and texture of the skin.”
“While every patient’s response is individual (the quality of their own growth factor determines the response), most look great for a year or more especially in those hard areas like dark circles and bags under the eyes,” says Dr. Schwartz.
Although a little too gruesome for the squeamish, we have a feeling Kim’s on-air procedure might cause a spike in Blood Facials. “Celebrities are often admired and followed. If someone sees that Kim Kardashian received a Vampire Facial and was happy with the results, they are more likely to believe that this procedure is worthwhile,” adds Dr. Marotta.
What about you, would you follow Kim’s lead and try a Vampire Facial? Tell us in the comments. For more information on Vampire Facials, pick up the Spring issue of NewBeauty, on stands in April.
