What is Vampire Facelifting?

A vampire facelift, sometimes called a platelet-rich plasma facelift, is a cosmetic procedure that uses the patient’s blood to potentially fight the signs of aging.

A similar treatment, known as the vampire facial, garnered a lot of attention back in 2013 when Kim Kardashian posted a selfie on Instagram of her face covered in blood. But how does it work?

After blood is drawn from your arm, the medical professional will separate the platelets from the rest of the blood using a centrifuge (a machine that spins quickly to separate fluids of different densities). The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) will be injected along with hyaluronic acid filler, like Juvederm.

The procedure may:

  • reduce wrinkles
  • plump skin
  • diminish acne scars
  • brighten dull skin

It’s safe for people of any age, but if you’re taking a blood thinner, have skin cancer, or any medical condition related to blood, such as HIV or hepatitis C, a vampire facelift isn’t recommended.

What to expect after a vampire facelift

You may notice some redness on your face after a vampire facelift, but the procedure itself is noninvasive, and it should require minimum downtime.

Try to avoid touching your face in the hours after the procedure. If your doctor says it’s OK, you can use an ice pack or take Tylenol to calm swelling and alleviate any pain.

You’ll see immediate plumping results from the filler, and the glow and evenness from PRP will be visible after 2 to 3 weeks. Results aren’t permanent and will typically last for 1 year and as long as 18 months.

Preparing for a vampire facelift

Your doctor should tell you specifically what they want you to do before you arrive for your vampire facelift. Generally speaking, before the procedure you should plan to:

  • Arrive with clean, makeup-free, and product-free skin.
  • Drink lots of water in the days leading up to your appointment.
  • Avoid unprotected sun exposure or tanning in the weeks before your appointment.
  • Arrange a ride home if your doctor suggests it.