The Science Behind the Vampire Facial: PRP + Microneedling
There has been a recent fascination with a unique skin rejuvenation procedure taking the cosmetic industry by storm. Ever since Kim Kardashian posted her bloody face on social media, the vampire facial phenomena exploded. This procedure has become one of the more popular cosmetic treatments we offer in New Orleans today.
Although many skin care professionals still consider this facial treatment as one of the best anti-aging procedures, many patients are apprehensive by the multiple injections and the bloody appearance Kim Kardashian revealed to us five years ago. However, since then, the vampire facial has advanced into a convenient, painless, and mainstream procedure by utilizing the microneedling technique.
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What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling (or collagen induction therapy) utilizes several fine needles to produce tiny puncture wounds in the upper skin layer (epidermis). This minimally invasive procedure is highly tolerable, safe, and effective. These tiny wounds stimulate your body’s natural healing process, creating an increase in elastin and collagen production as well as skin cell turnover. The procedure is a star in the aesthetic skincare community, with Vogue magazine calling it “the next big thing in anti-aging.”
This advanced system comes in two forms: microneedling with and without radiofrequency. Microneedling without radiofrequency uses an electrical pen-like tool (Rejuvepen) that has several microneedles moving rapidly in and out of the skin. These micro-punctures improve skin tone and texture while diminishing wrinkles, lines, and scarring, with no lasting side effects.
The wounds close within hours and are not visible (outside of redness) within a couple of days. For comfort, a topical anesthetic can be applied before treatment.
More recently, microneedling has been performed in combination with radiofrequency. This technological advancement allows not only the benefits of traditional microneedling but also introduces penetrative radiofrequency, exponentially increasing the regenerative benefits of the procedure. To learn more about RF microneedling, visit our Morpheus8 page.
Microneedling Benefits
The main advantage of microneedling is that it stimulates elastin and collagen production. This benefit is key to delivering a fresh, youthful skin appearance. Many in the aesthetic skincare community say it is one of the most powerful procedures to slow the aging process. Here are some exciting results you can expect from microneedling:
Reduces deep wrinkles and fine lines
With just a few sessions, microneedling’s ability to stimulate new skin cells can reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles on your forehead, crow’s feet around your eyes, and fine lines on your face and neck. The results appear natural because the treatment uses your body’s normal healing mechanisms. Additionally, with minimal downtime, it is an excellent maintenance procedure for anti-aging.
Microneedling repairs visible scarring
A 2009 clinical study indicates that nearly all participants with acne scars experienced a marked improvement in reduced scarring. At NOLA Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery, we offer traditional microneedling, which penetrates the skin at depths of up to four millimeters to treat deep scarring. In addition, we provide our Morpheus8 radiofrequency (RF) microneedling treatment. In recent years, studies have shown that the most effective method for resolving acne scarring deep beneath the skin’s surface is microneedling combined with radiofrequency. During our Morpheus8 RF microneedling treatment, the added RF energy breaks up scar tissue more effectively than needle punctures alone, producing faster, more dramatic results. Both traditional microneedling and Morpheus8 acne-scarring treatments offer a more comfortable experience than laser treatments, with less downtime and fewer side effects.
Helps sun-damaged skin and hyperpigmentation
Because microneedling increases collagen production, it is effective in treating discoloration and sun-damaged skin, including melasma and hyperpigmentation.
A few treatment sessions with a relatively shallow needle depth can effectively resolve blotchy skin patches, resulting in a clear, radiant complexion.
- Microneedling helps tighten skin: With age, skin becomes loose and begins to sag. Microneedling is an effective way to rejuvenate aging skin by improving laxity and tightening the skin. Facelift surgery can be delayed or enhanced by incorporating microneedling into your skincare regimen.
- Reduces pore size: Another benefit of microneedling is the reduction of pore size. An increase in collagen in and around the skin pores causes the surrounding skin to plump up, effectively shrinking the pores. This result has significant aesthetic value and can enhance facial appearance.
- Enhances the effectiveness of skin care products:
The problem with most skincare products, whether over-the-counter or medical-grade, is that they do not penetrate deeply enough to be most effective. Microneedling creates an open path for these products to reach the depths of the dermis, where they can provide the greatest benefit.
The tiny channels created by microneedling help your skin absorb more product into the target areas, allowing topical treatments to penetrate effectively without clogging pores.
What Is a PRP Facial Treatment?
A PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Facial involves using platelets and fibrin extracted from the patient’s blood and introducing them into different layers of the skin. Because the treatment uses the patient’s own blood, it is also known as a Vampire Facial. It is less invasive than facial surgery and can offer long-lasting results of up to 18 months.
At NOLA Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery, we choose to use PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) because of its additional benefits. PRP and PRF are sometimes used interchangeably; however, PRF is widely considered the next-generation version of PRP. While growth factors are released over several hours after administration of PRP, substituting PRF leads to the release of growth factors over several days.
A PRP Facial is a popular treatment for improving facial appearance by reducing the effects of aging. The procedure creates platelet-rich plasma by extracting a small amount of the patient’s blood and processing it through a specialized centrifuge. This process separates platelets and other growth factors from the blood. Once we obtain this unique component, it is introduced to target skin areas via injection or microneedling.
PRP Benefits
A PRP Facial helps address various aesthetic concerns in the facial and neck areas, which can be difficult to treat with other procedures. Benefits include:
- Improved skin texture
- Adds volume to the face
- Diminishes fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes
- Diminishes the crepeiness of neck tissue and improves neck skin laxity
- Plumps up undereye hollows
- Reduces wrinkles and lines around the mouth
- Improves acne scars and superficial scars
Learn More
If you are looking to restore your facial appearance and want to learn more about Platelet-Rich Plasma and microneedling, we are here to help. Contact us online or call (504) 533-8848 to schedule a consultation today at the New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery.
PRP Microneedling in New Orleans: FAQs
Am I a candidate for microneedling with PRP?
PRP therapy is suitable for any patient who wants to slow the effects of aging. Many patients choose the procedure because it is non-invasive, convenient, quick, and long-lasting. Another advantage is that it has a short recovery period with few side effects.
What Is recovery like after microneedling with PRP?
After a PRP Facial treatment, patients can resume normal activities immediately. With few side effects, and because its natural components are sourced from the patient’s blood, there is a lower risk of allergic reaction or infection. Some redness may occur in the treatment area, but this side effect should resolve within a couple of days.
The procedure and recovery are not painful, and makeup can easily camouflage any redness the patient may experience afterward. Hydration is encouraged, as is the regular application of moisturizers and sunscreen throughout the day to protect and maintain results.
How many treatment sessions will I need?
Although benefits may be visible immediately, to attain optimal results we recommend three treatments performed at six- to eight-week intervals. After the first session, noticeable improvement in skin texture can be seen. Maximum collagen levels are typically reached approximately three months after the first treatment, resulting in plumper, tighter skin with fewer lines and wrinkles.
These benefits can last up to 18 months, with touch-up treatments available one to two times per year for maintenance.
Why should I combine microneedling with PRP?
Although the benefits of these two cosmetic treatments are similar, combining PRP with microneedling, with or without radiofrequency, can rejuvenate facial skin more efficiently and effectively. The reasoning is simple: the benefits of platelet-rich plasma can be delivered into the deeper levels of the dermis when utilizing microneedling. While injection of PRP may concentrate treatment in certain facial areas, microneedling improves skin appearance over a larger area, with facials treating the entire face.
This approach provides uniformity to facial aesthetics, addressing the forehead, brow, mid-face, jawline, neck, and areas around the eyes. Additionally, by combining the two procedures, a more powerful impact is possible on all your facial and neck concerns.
The New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery remains at the forefront of the new era in microneedling. Not only were we the first in the Greater New Orleans area to offer radiofrequency microneedling with our Morpheus8 treatment, but we also commit to adopting new practices supported by the latest scientific findings. For example, we have chosen to use PRF in place of PRP due to its additional benefits. By keeping up with the newest technological advances in cosmetic procedures, we are able to offer our patients a uniquely elevated experience.