PRP Vampire Facials
THE Kass Precision Medicine PROTOCOL DIFFERENCE
Dr. Kass administers a customized version of the vampire facial that includes injections of PRP. Dr. Kass and highly trained nurses—there are no lower-level technicians involved in the treatment—combine microneedling with PRP application and injection to target areas such as under the eye, cheek, nasolabial, and lip. Unlike fillers, the result is completely natural and gradual, since we are stimulating the growth of your collagen over time. Fillers are instant and obvious, making the treatment look overdone. PRP works over time with the body’s natural processes. There are no defined lines where PRP injections are placed.
We are licensed to provide the Vampire Facial, a highly sought-after treatment that harnesses PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and concentrated growth factors to stimulate new collagen and improve skin tone and texture. The Vampire Facial will result in plumper, smoother skin.
NOT ALL PRP IS CREATED EQUALLY
Our predominant goal is to provide the best possible care for our patients, so we spend a great deal of time researching the best solutions. The PRP protocol we selected is the most advanced, effective solution we could find - using a centrifuge that produces plasma that is densely filled with platelets - 8-10 times more so than average plasma found in the body.
When it comes to PRP systems, many medispas and aesthetics clinics aren’t providing FDA-approved treatments - rather, they are using gel tube kits or even making their own “poor man’s PRP” - essentially drawing out plasma and calling it PRP. While these offerings might be more cost-effective - they are much less effective, providing only two times the amount of growth factors.
The power of micro-needling
The Vampire Facial uses hundreds of sterile oscillating microneedles to puncture the top layer of the skin—don’t worry, we numb the area so it doesn’t hurt. We then apply PRP extracted from the patient. The PRP “cocktail” is full of growth factors and penetrates the punctured skin for optimal efficacy; the procedure stimulates collagen production and improves skin tone and texture for firmer, smoother skin. Think of it like this: The treatment tricks your skin into believing it’s been injured and must respond by healing itself with new tissue.
How long does the procedure take?
A Vampire Facial takes approximately 45 minutes. Part of the session includes waiting for the PRP to be extracted from the patient’s blood.
THE VAMPIRE FACIAL, STEP-BY-STEP
Initial consult: Before the procedure gets underway, we will discuss your goals and expectations for the Vampire Facial as well as your medical and lifestyle history.
Prepping the skin: Your skin will be cleansed and prepped for the procedure.
Pinpointing injection sites: we will note the areas on your face that will receive PRP injections and special attention.
Blood draw: we will draw blood from your arm.
Isolating PRP: we will place a vial of your drawn blood into a special centrifuge for 5–10 minutes to isolate the platelet-rich plasma.
Applying numbing cream: a topical anesthesia cream will be applied to the face to minimize any discomfort.
Microneedling: we will use a professional microneedling pen with hundreds of microneedles to create tiny pricks on the skin.
PRP injection and application: To ensure maximum penetration, we will apply PRP over the entire face and neck, injecting it into key areas, such as laugh lines, scars, and crow’s feet.
IS THE VAMPIRE FACIAL RIGHT FOR ME?
PRP is derived from one’s own body so, in theory, anyone should be able to undergo this treatment and benefit from it. Specifically, the Vampire Facial can be used to treat the following:
Crow’s feet
Dark under-eye circles
Fine lines around the mouth
Sun-damaged skin
Acne scarring
Dull, patchy, or uneven skin tone and texture
Crepey or drooping skin in the eye, neck, and décolletage areas
Volume loss in undereye, cheek, jawline, or lips (these are target areas for PRP injections)
There are a few people who should take caution before scheduling the Vampire Facial: if you have blood-related conditions, anemia, or blood or bone cancers, seek an alternative treatment. Patients who take blood-thinning medication or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) should discontinue their medication for a few weeks before their treatment and for a few days afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: WHAT IS THE DOWNTIME?
A: Patients will experience redness and blotchiness for 2–3 days after the Vampire Facial; after a week, they will experience some dryness and sloughing of the skin. We recommend that clients apply a mineral sunblock in the days after the treatment and should schedule the Vampire Facial 7–10 days before any special event. There are no known side effects.
Q: HOW LONG DO RESULTS LAST?
A: You will continue to see improvements in your skin for 2–3 months, most noticeably in injected areas, and results last for 1–2 years. We can discuss periodic maintenance treatments. The effects of the Vampire Facial are there to stay and yours to keep!
Q: HOW MANY TREATMENTS DO I NEED?
A: We generally recommend a package of three Vampire Facials. If you are looking for a general collagen boost, schedule one facial quarterly. If you are seeking to treat an acne scar or want your skin to look its best for an important event, schedule a Vampire Facial once a month for 3–5 treatments, and then talk with us about an annual maintenance schedule.
Q: WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY?
A: A recent study showed an 89-percent improvement in collagen density 28 days after PRP injection. There were no serious side effects detected during the study. A 2011 study focusing on PRP’s ability to rejuvenate skin also resulted in increased cell growth. Many widely available studies show the benefits of adding PRP therapy to osteopathic treatments and surgeries.
Q: WHAT IS PRP, EXACTLY?
A: Originally pioneered for professional athletes in the 1970s to help heal injuries, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is now used extensively for orthopedic treatments for regenerating ligaments, tendons, and joint injuries and in orthopedic surgeries to improve surgical outcomes and patient recovery. PRP’s applications are wide-ranging since it can regrow collagen, enrich fibrin, and aid in the formation of new blood vessels. PRP is known to accelerate the healing of wounds and aid in the growth of target tissues. Kass Precision Medicine harnesses the power of PRP for the Vampire Facial, as well as hair regrowth, and GAINSWave treatments for erectile dysfunction, scar rejuvenation, and damaged skin.
Q: HOW DOES PRP WORK?
A: PRP is a concentrated preparation of your growth factors extracted from your blood (hence the name Vampire Facial). When injected into an area of concern, PRP stimulates a stem cell response for regeneration of the target tissue. (Platelets are blood cells that assist the clotting process. As a clot forms, platelets release enzymes that attract stem cells to aid in the repair of a damaged area.) In our practice, we use a powerful PRP “cocktail” that concentrates growth factors and platelets at 8–10 times that of normal plasma. Using one of the leading PRP harvesting systems available, we draw a patient’s blood and then run the blood through a specialized centrifuge to separate and concentrate the patient’s own platelets and growth factors. This concentrated growth factor extract—with all its amazing healing and restorative properties—is then applied to targeted areas for regeneration.