Vampire Facials. Lasting benefits, or just overpriced microneedling?

Question

I am wondering if vampire facials correct issues with the skin, like loss of subcutaneous fat, firmness, collagen, etc, or if it's just provides a temporary effect? How much better is it than microneedling alone? How deep do the needles go for facials? Thank you.

Jeffrey B. Wise, MD, FACS · Answer

In our state of the art practice we offer PRP microneedling and microneedling without PRP. Not all PRP is created equal, this is where we see a difference in the treatment. Our office uses the Magellan TruPRP device which delivers a higher concentration of plasma, giving our patients optimal results. Although micro needling as a standalone treatment provides nice collagen remodeling results, using it with PRP provides essential nutrients and adds more collagen remodeling benefits. We always recommend doing a series of 3 treatments one month apart.Best of luck!

Oxana Popescu, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. 
The Vampire Facial uses the protective effect of platelets to minimize the bleeding. This allows a more aggressive treatment. During the treatment the depth of the microperforations can vary up to 2.5 mm. In addition the Vampire Facial delivers true concentrated Growth Factors to the skin.
 Microneedling alone is a more limited and less performant treatment since bleeding occurs easier. There are no activated platelets and no Growth Factors involved.
 For all these reasons Vampire Facial is a significantly superior treatment.  None of the mentioned treatments will help with the fat loss.  
Be well,

Oxana Popescu MD

Ellen A. Mahony, MD · Answer

PRP offers many benefits to the skin and as I use it myself, I can tell you it works very well.  Unlike other products that are used with the micropen, PRP is a biologic- it has your own DNA matched growth factors which are saturated into the pores left by the micropen.  In this way, the top few millimeters of skin are impacted, stimulating growth of collagen, elastin, vessels as well as thickening the skin.My preference is to use it with microneedling as well as by injection.  In this case I will use it along with an HA product.  The additional volume and growth factors significantly improve the quality and texture of the skin.  There is nothing else to compete with this combination therapy.Give it a try.In good health,Ellen Mahony, MD

Anteneh Roba, MD · Answer

Vampire facelift is far superior than just microneedling. The PRP delivered into the skin releases growth factors that improves blood circulation, stimulation of collagen production, helps improve evenness of the skin, improves with fine lines and wrinkles.

Daniel DePrince, DO · Answer

A Vampire Facial will correct skin color, add firmness and increase collagen. Microneedling and PRP are a wonderful combination that enhance facial beauty and firmness. For an increase in volume and to restore fat loss, I would recommend the Vampire Facelift. It can last for a year and it brings a nice youthfulness to the face.

Marisol Arcila Moon, MD · Answer

Terri,
The Vampire Facial is a far more effective treatment than microneedling on its own because of the use of PRP (Platelet rich plasma). PRP helps signal growth factors in the treated areas to signal repair and therefore can create lasting results to improve wrinkles, scars and discolorations. Although the microneedling with PRP does not prevent fat loss, I do a combination of the Vampire facial and facelift so my patients can enjoy the best of both worlds especially if they are noticing loss of volume in certain areas. When used in combination, PRP is not just placed on the skin with microneedling but also small amounts are strategically placed in areas that volume has been lossed or to help fill deeper scars and wrinkles. This technique is highly effective for those that need a little more help than treating just fine lines and wrinkles. Depending on a patient's preference the procedure can be repeated 1-2 times a year or more frequently, if needed, however most notice lasting benefits for at least 6-9 months and due to normal aging process opt to do maintenance treatments yearly.

Richard E. Moore, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. We have seen more pronounced improvements in skin texture and tone when PRP is applied to the skin during a micro-needling treatment. For some patients, we have found it to be the most effective minimally invasive treatment for melasma. Depth of needle penetration is typically between 1 and 2.5 mm. PRP is rich in growth factors and the micro-needling provides a portal of entry into the skin.I hope this was helpful - Dr. Moore.

Steven F. Weiner, MD · Answer

The depth of the microneedling is dependent on the facility. It can vary from 1mm to 2.5 mm. I truly believe that placing PRP on the skin and expecting it to be pushed thru with microneedling is impossible. I don't think there is much additional benefit from adding PRP this way and  then with microneedling alone. If the PRP is injected, I think there is some minor benefits. Don't expect any fat improvement with any procedure, except fat transfer. Vampire facials might minimally stimulate collagen but there are much better ways to do that: lasers, RF, deep chemical peels. I expect that NANOFAT will replace the PRP craze to stimulate natural rejuvenation of the skin.

Justin Harper, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi TerriEllis,Microneedling with PRP or platelet-rich-plasma is not hype. The growth factors in the plasma helps with faster regeneration of new skin and production of collagen. This procedure has been studied and compared with microneedling for Vitamin C. However, you are talking about skin here - what can make it look more refreshed, smoother, and firmer. It will not address volume loss or descending of fat pads. But we have seen patients with fine lines or large pores improve greatly with this treatment. It is a good substitute for people who for one reason or another are suited for laser.All the best,Justin Harper, M.D.

Amiya Prasad, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Thank you for your question. You’re asking if a Vampire Facial®is effective in particular areas such as subcutaneous fat, if it really enhances the benefit of microneedling, or if it’s overpriced microneedling. This is a very good question, and one that deserves clarification so you understand the limits of this procedure is.
A little background: I’m a Board-certified cosmetic surgeon and Fellowship-trained oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. I have been in practice in Manhattan and Long Island for over 20 years. I’ve been a member of the Vampire Facelift® Network for many years and a resource for the media whenever the topic of Vampire Facelift® and Vampire Facial® arise, particularly a few years ago when a famous individual got the Vampire Facial® and it made a lot of news. 
 I think you’re hitting a very important question by asking about subcutaneous fat. One of the challenges of communication with our patients as aesthetic surgeons are the limits of what you can do from the outside to help things on the inside. When people look at themselves, they see lines, wrinkles, and what they don't necessarily appreciate is the associated volume loss underlying those lines and wrinkles. Study after study show significant loss of bone, muscle, and fat that characterizes facial aging. Yet, cosmetics is a multibillion dollar industry selling hope in a jar, selling creams. People believe in so many of the miraculous effects of creams.
Close to that is the perception about facials. Different kinds of facials are promoted and certainly the concept of needling is not new starting with dermarollers, then microneedling. 
The limit is the thickness of the skin. When you think of microneedling, whether the Vampire Facial® which is micro needling combined with a topical application PRP, microneedling creates defects in the skin that is broadly categorized under the umbrella of collagen induction therapy. You injure the skin, you stimulate collagen, then the skin texture and quality improves; when you add PRP, it improves significantly more. So there isn't necessarily an equivalence between not using PRP and using PRP. In my own observation, PRP expedites the healing, and delivering PRP into the skin certainly is an advantage to helping skin quality. 
You asked about how long it lasts. With skin, there is always a strategy that has to be customized to the individual. The strategy typically has to do with first addressing particular concerns: wrinkles, discoloration and texture being the most common. Beyond that, there has to be a maintenance plan that works with you in terms of treatments in office and skincare products as skin requires maintenance.
When you ask about subcutaneous fat, I think it’s more likely you will find a solution that addresses the foundation - the deeper parts of facial volume loss before you do something on the surface. We can do things in combination. It’s routine for us to do Structural Volumizing which is the placement of a long lasting filler such as hyaluronic acid in the Juvederm family of Juvederm Ultra Plus and Voluma, placing it in the cheeks, jawline, and chin to create essentially a lifting type of effect. 
The same patient often needs skincare, so they would benefit from microneedling or HydraFacial. There are definitely ways to polish the external skin: Q-switch lasers, fractional lasers, ways to improve texture of the skin. I think a lot of people get frustrated when they try to do something limited to working on the outside when the more dramatic effects or benefits can occur from the inside, but this doesn't only apply to fine lines and wrinkles. We have patients who come in after having multiple treatments for acne scarring by placing volume in the cheek, where their scarring may be accentuated. By placing volume in the bone structure level, the acne scars look a lot better. 
It’s important to get a proper evaluation with a doctor who has extensive experience, come up with a treatment plan that meets your needs, and figure out how to best allocate your resources and your time. I hope that was helpful, I wish you the best of luck, and thank you for your question.

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