If you're a beauty aficionado or a Kardashian fan, you're certain to have heard of the Vampire Facial. Back in 2013, it was Kim Kardashian who popularized the treatment by posting a photo of her bloodied face on Instagram. Did it make the world at large feel slightly grossed out? Definitely. But did it also make us very curious as well? Absolutely. Being a fixture in the beauty industry for years now, I've experimented quite a bit, as far as treatments go. Whether it involved lasers or liquid nitrogen, I've always been game. So when I met celebrity dermatologist Dr. Jaishree Sharad to have her expertly perform the Vampire Facial on my very own face, I was only a little daunted going in. But now, as someone on the other side of the treatment, I can say that it isn't for the faint hearted but the results can be totally worth it.
Steps Of The Vampire Facial Treatment
The process uses one's own blood, a fact that I somehow found comforting. The clinic determines your blood type and nutrient levels prior to the treatment. Once the blood is drawn, it is placed in multiple vials in a centrifuge machine and with the right settings in place, is spun around for approximately 30 minutes. Numbing cream was applied to my face while I waited. If drawing blood alone makes you squeamish, you've got a lot more where that came from. When the centrifuge completed its job, the finished vials looked separated into three layers of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelet-rich plasma or PRP. This plasma is then transferred to multiple new syringes and a dermapen, which are readied to be injected into the face.
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After an appropriate amount of time, the numbing cream is wiped off and now, the process begins. Dr. Jaishree deftly injected the plasma into my face in spots she felt needed the most attention. Her expertise was tangible as; although there were multiple needles going in and out, felt like multiple pricks over the face. A wave of relief began to sweep over me but that was until I realized the dermapen was still left to come.
Used for micro-needling, the needles at the head of the dermapen can be adjusted to its depth so the doctor using it can determine how deep it needs to go, based on the patient's skin. Like the syringes, it also deposits PRP but in a more nimble way. Dr. Jaishree also used it around the eyes, which felt particularly strange. Once the plasma is used and dermapen has done its rounds, the process is complete. As the final step, Dr. Jaishree applied a thick layer of skin-toned sunscreen, which not only prevented me from looking unsightly but also protected my tender skin when I left the clinic.
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My Experience Of the Vampire Facial
With a vast number of needles involved, pain is expectantly a factor in the treatment. From the syringes to dermapen constantly going in and out of the face, it can sting quite a bit, even with the numbing cream. It purely depends on your pain threshold. Though needles are the focal point of it, it isn't unbearable. But if you are averse to them, you might have to think twice. I couldn't wash my face for a few hours post the treatment and the smell of plasma felt like it was the only smell in the room. I did experience redness and tenderness once I washed off the sunscreen but within 24 hours, it was gone.
The Short And Long Term Effects Of The Vampire Facial
In the initial days post the treatment, I had tiny breakouts where the syringe was inserted, which disappeared quite quickly. I did notice a healthy glow in the weeks that followed the Vampire Facial but for me, the real effects were in the long term. Two months later, I've noticed my skin looking smoother and more even, with respect to spots and scarring.
My Thoughts On The Vampire Facial
When they said beauty is pain, they were probably talking about the Vampire Facial. It isn't like any other facial I've visited the salon for. That's why it needs to be done in a clinic with an expert like Dr. Jaishree Sharad. There's a fair bit of pain involved and that must be kept in mind before you opt for it. For me however, the even tone and smoother appearance that I've experienced months later was worth every little prick of it.
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