Disclaimer: I was offered this complimentary rejuvenating procedure by Dr Cristina of Semper Iuvenis Aesthetics based in South Molton Street, London. I was not asked to write this blog post on my Vampire Facial (Microneedling with PRP) however I thought it might be interesting if it’s something you’ve ever considered!
NB this is my experience of a Vampire Facial in London with Dr Cristina, a fully qualified medical doctor. I can only recommend this particular practitioner, as I am well aware that it very much depends on who is performing the treatment. Always ensure that when having any kind of invasive treatments that you go to a suitably qualified practitioner who first offers you a consultation to discuss your suitability.
Microneedling with PRP: The Skinpen or ‘Vampire’ Facial in London – What’s involved?
My first contact with Dr Cristina was via a Zoom consultation where we discussed my skin, my desired outcomes (a reduction in fine lines and eye bags, maybe looking ten years younger or so..!), my medical history and suitability for the Vampire Facial/microneedling with PRP procedure. After this, she emailed me documents to fill out and bring with me, including a medical history form to sign, and aftercare instructions.
I travelled to London for my Vampire Facial. Obviously you need to go to your facial with a clean face. Numbing cream will be applied to your face, then your blood is drawn (around two vials) and placed inside a centrifuge to separate the red cells from the plasma.
This takes about seven minutes, after which the platelet rich plasma (PRP) is drawn out of the vial into smaller syringes – around 7 or 8 of them – ready to be applied to the face during the microneedling.
PRP is full of regenerating cells; it’s used to help heal wounds and is used to enhance hair restoration and other cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. You can read more about PRP on Web MD here.
Next, the numbing cream is wiped from the skin, and the skinpen is passed over the face. The skinpen has fine needles which can be set to the required depth, and the motor in the pen pushes them in and out as it is passed over the face creating channels in the skin for the PRP to sink into. After the first pass, plasma is smeared into the skin. Then there a second pass with the skinpen, and more plasma before moving on to a different area.
The skinpen needles are set to different depths depending on the area; there is less fat on the forehead so the needles don’t go as deeply here. They do not go deeply enough to draw blood; between 0.25 and 0.5mm.
Here is a sped up video of the procedure!
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Does a vampire (microneedling with skinpen) facial hurt? Is there any blood?
The facial didn’t hurt, and it wasn’t even really uncomfortable for me. You may experience a little discomfort if you have a low pain tolerance however I personally found the sensation quite relaxing (it’s possible I’m a bit odd, but I was told that some people fall asleep while having it performed).
Images I’d seen of the ‘vampire facial’, and indeed the name, imply there will be red blood. I’m not squeamish (or I probably wouldn’t have volunteered!) but I can tell you; there was no red blood on the skin at all. The needles do not go deep enough to draw blood and the platelet rich plasma is a yellowish, transparent liquid and this is what is rubbed into the skin on the face.
How long does the vampire facial procedure last?
It’s around 45 minutes all in, with the facial itself being around half an hour.
After the treatment, you are given an aftercare pack with products to apply to your face for the first day or two, after which normal skincare can resume. You will also be given any remaining plasma in a syringe, which you can rub into your face after cleansing with water that evening.
Remember if using a facemask it needs to be a clean, disposable one to protect the face from any infection. A clean pillow case should be used that night.
What do you look like after a vampire facial? What are the side effects?
Basically, like you have bad sunburn on your face, but nothing hideous or alarming. It feels a little hot but not painful; although paracetamol can be taken if required. You shouldn’t drink alcohol or do anything that might cause infection to the skin for a day or two. I definitely wouldn’t book a night out directly afterwards, and if you’re planning an event you really need to leave at least a few days.
On day two, I looked like I’d been caught in the sun and my skin still felt quite hot.
By day three it was a lot less noticeable, except for a few bits of flaking skin around the chin area.
By day four, there was no increase in redness and the only difference in my skin is that it appeared more dewy.
You may notice bruising from where blood is taken. Due to my low blood pressure and crappy veins, I’m a nightmare to get blood from so you probably won’t end up like me, but this is how my arm looked four days after the treatment (it doesn’t hurt at all).
Does it work? What does a vampire facial do? Would I recommend it?
The aim of the vampire facial is to encourage the growth of new cells and stimulate the production of collagen in the face giving you a more youthful appearance, reducing fine lines, eye bags, sun damage and age spots, etc. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments eg botox.
I enjoyed the procedure itself although I concede I’m a little bit odd, maybe! Immediately afterwards, my skin felt tighter and after a few days it settled and felt ‘plumper’ and softer. I have already noticed a difference in my skin, although full results won’t be available for a few weeks at which point I will update this post! I haven’t worn any foundation or makeup on my face since treatment (for the first time in decades).
Dr Cristina was lovely and put me at ease straight away. She is clearly well qualified; in her day job she is an NHS cardiology consultant and is knowledgeable and passionate about aesthetics. Again, if you’re looking for a vampire facial in London then I can recommend Semper Iuvenis Aesthetics however if you are looking for microneedling with PRP elsewhere, please do check the qualifications of your practitioner and reviews!
How much does a vampire facial cost?
The cost of one treatment on the face only (‘vampire facial’) at Semper Iuvenis Aesthetics in London is £360 although repeated procedures are recommended for best results. You can find the costs here.
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