What Is A Vampire Facial? Experts Weigh In On The Spooky-Sounding Treatment

Would you slather on a face mask made of your own blood? Beauty fans have been dabbling for years (perhaps you've seen the famous Kim Kardashian selfie that went viral back in 2013), and it's actually not as horrifying as it may seem. Appropriately dubbed the "vampire facial," this treatment promises to smooth fine lines, even tone, and tighten crepey skin—with nothing but your own blood. 

"The vampire facial is a treatment where platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is applied to the skin, usually along with a microneedling device," says board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D. 

A little background info on PRP procedures: A professional will draw a vial of your own blood, put in a machine called a centrifuge, and spin it to separate the platelets from the rest of the blood cells (white and red). These platelets are considered "liquid gold" in the cosmetic dermatology field, board-certified nurse practitioner and aesthetic specialist Vanessa Coppola, FNP-BC, owner of Bare Aesthetic Medical Spa, tells mbg. They contain growth factors, which are in charge of recovery whenever the body is in need of repair (i.e., premature aging from oxidative stress or environmental aggressors, like pollution). 

However, it can be difficult for those platelets to reach specific locations—that's why professionals inject a concentrated amount (or in the case of vampire facials, use it topically alongside a microneedling procedure), so they can hyper-focus on stressed and aging skin cells. That's why it's known as a "vampire" facial: "Your own blood is being drawn and then given back to you," notes Zeichner. Gnarly, no? 

You might be familiar with the benefits of microneedling, which uses a tiny rolling pin to create micro puncture wounds in the skin, which then kick-starts your skin's natural healing process and an increase in collagen production—this, in turn, can lead to a smooth, plump, rejuvenated complexion. Some people swear it leads to better product absorption, reduced hyperpigmentation, and a healthy glow. (Feel free to brush up on your microneedling knowledge here.)

"In a vampire facial, PRP is added to microneedling to boost the collagen induction for an accelerated and amplified response, resulting in smoother, more robust skin," says Coppola. The platelets essentially boost your skin's natural recovery process, which can supercharge your results.

Again, this is a mildly invasive procedure, so you should be well aware of the risks before booking a treatment. First things first: The procedure can be uncomfortable, notes Zeichner, especially during the microneedling step. You are creating tiny puncture wounds, after all, which might not be the most lovely sensation. Your doctor or esthetician may even apply a topical numbing cream before the treatment, depending on your pain tolerance.

As we mentioned, your skin may also appear red and swollen after the fact. According to Coppola, you may even feel itchy or see some small scabbing. "It is important not to pick at this—just continue to apply the aftercare balm as prescribed by your provider," she says (more on that later). "If the flaking and irritation persists, you should call your provider."

Although, you might want to steer clear of vampire facials (or microneedling in general) if you have any skin infections, sores, rashes, or open wounds. Those with active acne or sensitive skin conditions like eczema and rosacea might also want to avoid this treatment for the time being. If you're unsure whether or not you would make a good candidate, we suggest you speak with a doctor before booking.

"Your provider will usually provide you with an aftercare balm or lotion that can be applied after the initial six hours," says Coppola. Feel free to slather that on if your skin feels tight or sore. 

The skin should heal in between two and seven days, so downtime is pretty minimal—but you might not want to book this treatment right before an important event since you should avoid makeup for at least 18 hours. "You want to wait until the microchannels have fully closed to avoid any irritation or infection," Coppola adds.