Community Corner
Vampire Facial Explained: Why Microneedling With PRP Is More Than a Halloween Trend
The "Vampire Facial" combines microneedling with PRP from a patient's own blood. Here's what Brandon patients should know.
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The name “Vampire Facial” sounds made for Halloween, but the treatment behind it is much less mysterious.
Microneedling with PRP combines two steps. First, a microneedling device creates thousands of controlled microscopic punctures in the skin. Then platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, prepared from a small sample of the patient’s own blood, is used as part of the treatment. Refresh - Aesthetics & Wellness currently offers Microneedling with PRP at its Brandon location.
Patients commonly consider microneedling for concerns such as acne scars, fine lines and uneven texture. The FDA has cleared certain microneedling devices to improve the appearance of facial acne scars and facial wrinkles in adults age 22 and older.
For patients in Brandon, Riverview, Valrico and surrounding Hillsborough County communities, here is what the treatment actually involves — without the spooky nickname.
Explore Microneedling with PRP at Refresh in Brandon
Why is it called a “Vampire Facial”?
The nickname comes from the use of the patient’s own blood.
A small blood sample is drawn and processed in a centrifuge to separate a platelet-concentrated portion called platelet-rich plasma. Refresh describes its Brandon treatment as combining microneedling with PRP derived from the patient’s own blood.
The term “Vampire Facial” became a popular way to describe that combination, but it is not a separate type of facial or a different medical procedure.
In other words, the Halloween-worthy name sounds far more dramatic than the basic concept: microneedling plus PRP.
What does microneedling actually do?
Microneedling devices contain very small needles that repeatedly enter and exit the skin, producing microscopic punctures.
Depending on the device, a provider may be able to control the speed and depth of those needles. The controlled injury triggers the skin’s normal wound-healing response, which is why microneedling is used for concerns involving texture and scarring.
The FDA has legally authorized specific microneedling devices for improving the appearance of facial acne scars, facial wrinkles and certain abdominal scars in adults 22 and older.
That does not mean every microneedling device has been cleared for every cosmetic concern, which is one reason patients should ask what treatment they are receiving and who is performing it.
What exactly is PRP?
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma.
Platelets are components of blood best known for helping with clotting, but they also contain proteins and signaling molecules involved in the body’s natural healing processes.
To prepare PRP, a provider draws a small amount of blood and processes it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelet-containing portion. Refresh says that PRP used during its Brandon treatment is produced from the patient’s own blood during the same visit.
That is the “vampire” part of the treatment — not anything synthetic or taken from another person.
Why combine PRP with microneedling?
Microneedling and PRP are frequently paired because they are intended to complement the same healing process.
Research has looked particularly at acne scarring. A meta-analysis of 14 controlled studies involving 472 patients found greater improvement in acne scars when microneedling was combined with PRP compared with microneedling alone.
Another systematic review and meta-analysis found improvements in acne-scar severity when PRP was added to microneedling or subcision compared with treatments without PRP.
That does not mean PRP guarantees better results for every patient or every skin concern. Acne scars themselves can differ significantly in depth and type, and some scars may respond better to other procedures or combination treatments.
There is also an important regulatory distinction: while the FDA has cleared certain microneedling devices for specific indications, it has not cleared microneedling devices specifically for delivering PRP into the skin. Patients should discuss that distinction, along with the risks and expected benefits, with their provider.
What concerns can microneedling address?
Patients may consider microneedling when their primary concerns include:
- Facial acne scars
- Fine lines and facial wrinkles
- Uneven or rough-looking texture
- Overall skin smoothness and appearance
The strongest FDA-authorized uses relate specifically to facial acne scars and wrinkles.
Other concerns may require a different approach. Deep acne scars, significant pigmentation, active acne or skin laxity, for example, may lead a provider to recommend another treatment or a combination plan rather than microneedling alone.
Can microneedling make acne scars disappear?
No treatment should be expected to erase every scar completely.
Acne scars form in different ways, and some are much deeper than others. Microneedling is commonly used for atrophic acne scars, which are depressed scars that sit below the surrounding skin.
A systematic review of randomized controlled trials concluded that microneedling was effective for atrophic acne scars either by itself or in combination with other treatments, while also noting the need for additional larger and longer-term studies.
The goal is improvement in the appearance and texture of scarring rather than guaranteeing perfectly smooth skin.
What does a Microneedling with PRP appointment involve?
The exact process varies by provider, but treatment generally begins with an evaluation of the skin and the concerns being treated.
A blood sample is collected and processed to prepare the PRP. The skin is then prepared for microneedling, and a professional device creates controlled microchannels across the treatment area.
Refresh states that its Brandon Microneedling with PRP treatments are performed by licensed medical providers under physician oversight after an evaluation of the patient’s skin and goals.
Patients should tell their provider about their health history, medications, active skin problems and any history of unusual scarring before treatment.
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What does your skin look like afterward?
Redness after microneedling is common.
The FDA lists temporary effects including redness, dryness, tightness, itching, peeling, discomfort, bruising, crusting and minor bleeding. These reactions generally occur shortly after treatment and resolve, although the length and severity can vary.
Less common risks include changes in pigmentation, infection and reactivation of cold sores.
Freshly treated skin can also be more sensitive to sun exposure and skin-care products, so following aftercare instructions is important.
How many sessions will you need?
One session is not necessarily the entire treatment plan.
The FDA notes that more than one microneedling procedure may be necessary to achieve the cosmetic result a patient is seeking, and maintenance procedures may sometimes be needed.
The number of sessions depends on what is being treated, the severity of the concern, the patient’s skin and how the skin responds over time.
Someone treating mild texture changes may therefore have a different plan from someone treating more noticeable acne scarring.
Who should avoid microneedling?
Microneedling is not appropriate for everyone.
The FDA recommends discussing medical conditions, medications and previous skin procedures with a qualified provider before treatment. Certain patients with active skin infections, bleeding problems, weakened immune systems, uncontrolled diabetes, active cold sores or a tendency toward problematic scarring may not be appropriate candidates.
That evaluation is an important part of the procedure. A consultation should determine whether microneedling is appropriate — not simply confirm that a patient wants it.
Microneedling with PRP in Brandon
Refresh - Aesthetics & Wellness offers Microneedling with PRP at its Brandon office at 1602 Oakfield Drive.
Refresh states that treatments are performed by licensed medical providers under physician oversight, with the treatment plan based on the patient’s skin and individual goals.
The office serves patients throughout Brandon, Riverview, Valrico and surrounding Hillsborough County communities.
Despite the “Vampire Facial” nickname, choosing the treatment should come down to something much less spooky: whether the procedure is appropriate for the patient’s skin, medical history and specific concern.
Acne scars, fine lines and texture changes are not identical problems, and a provider should evaluate each one before determining whether microneedling with PRP — or another treatment — makes the most sense.
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Refresh - Aesthetics & Wellness, Brandon
1602 Oakfield Dr Suite #105, Brandon, FL 33511
(813) 723-6117
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Thursday until 7:30 p.m.
Request a Microneedling with PRP consultation at Refresh
This article is general information, not medical advice. Microneedling and PRP are not appropriate for every patient, individual results vary, and treatment recommendations should be based on an evaluation by a qualified medical provider.
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