Vampire Facial, PRP Facial vs Stem Cell Facial

Which facial treatment is better for skin rejuvenation? What are the pros and cons of each procedure? And how much does it cost?

The face is the window to our soul. People spend thousands of dollars to get their faces "fixed". They want to look younger, fresher and healthier. There are several ways to achieve these goals. One way is through facial aesthetics.

In this post we'll look at the Vampire Facial or PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Facial and the Stem Cell Facial. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Let's compare them side by side.

PRP/Vampire Facials

What is a Vampire or PRP Facial?

PRP (platelet rich plasma) facials, otherwise known as "Vampire Facials" are becoming very popular as a cosmetic procedure because they offer a number of benefits over other types of facials. They are noninvasive, safe, effective, and affordable. The procedure involves taking a small amount of blood from your arm and spinning it using a centrifuge to separate the blood cells, leaving only a platelet rich plasma solution. This mixture is then applied directly to the face using a special wand.

Platelets contain growth factors that promote healing and rejuvenation. When these cells are spun down and concentrated, they can become a fairly powerful anti-aging serum.

Sometimes after the platelet-rich plasma has been separated in the centrifuge, they are combined with a hyaluronic acid based filler to make a platelet rich fibrin matrix.

PRP facials are a great way to get rid of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars. They also reduce the appearance of sun damage and improve skin texture.

How does a PRP facial (Vampire facial /Vampire facelift) work?

A PRP treatment typically takes 20-40 minutes. The patient has a numbing cream applied to their face before they start. Once this has taken effect, micro-needling is performed on the face. These small needles make small punctures in the skin to allow for better absorption of the PRP solution while at the same time stimulating collagen production.

What should I expect after my first PRP facial?

You should experience minimal discomfort during the procedure. Some people report feeling slight tingling or burning sensations while others don't notice anything at all.

Most patients say their skin feels softer immediately following the procedure and within 24 hours.

Results typically last between 3 months and 1 year. However, many people continue to enjoy the effects of PRP facials even longer.

Is it safe to have a PRP facial (Vampire facial)?

Yes! There are no known risks associated with having a PRP facial. In fact, the FDA recently approved the use of PRP for cosmetic purposes.

You may experience minor redness or swelling but most people do not require pain medication.

If you are pregnant or nursing, please consult your physician before scheduling a PRP facial.

Are there side effects?

There are no known negative side effects. However, you should avoid getting a sunburn or overexposing yourself to UV rays for several days after your treatment.

Can I wear makeup right after a PRP facial? Can I go swimming?

It's best to wait until your skin heals completely before applying makeup. Swimming is okay up to 48 hours post-procedure.

Is there anything else I should know about PRP facials?

While platelet-rich plasma facial are effective, they aren't a miracle cure. The body and the skin respond to our daily activities and how well we take care of them. Results vary from person to person based on age, lifestyle habits, genetics, and other factors.

PRP facials are generally considered a non-invasive alternative to surgical procedures such as Botox injections and fillers.

How often should I get a PRP facial?

The frequency of your PRP facial depends on your needs. Most people recommend having a PRP facial every four to six weeks. It truly depends on your health status, your diet, your supplement and hormones regimen, your exposure to toxins and UV rays. The healthier you live, the more relaxed you are, the longer these regenerative treatments hold.

How much does a PRP facial cost?

A Vampire/PRP facial is more expensive than traditional microneedling, and can cost anywhere between $250 and $1,500 in the USA.

Stem Cell Facials

What is a stem cell facial?

The stem cell facial, also called the 'stem cell facelift', is similar in procedure to PRP, except instead of plasma from the blood, the aesthetic clinician does microneedling treatment which micro-injects high potency regenerative factors produced by stem cells. 

How does a stem cell facial work?

Stem cells produce a high-grade exosomal serum containing regenerative transcription factors that affect the skin in a very positive way. The stem cell exosomes bring in potent growth factors, neurotrophic factors, angiogenic factors, anti-fibrotic factors, collagen and elastin regenerative factors. All of these healing factors have effects that repair skin damage and remove the signs of skin aging and skin damage. This results in skin regeneration that brings about improved skin tone, firmer skin, and a reduction in lines.

In addition, the stem cell serum is full of epigenetic reprogramming factors, DNA reparative factors and telomere elongating factors that powerfully rejuvenate the skin, essentially turning back the clock on skin aging during the healing process.

How is a stem cell facial different from a PRP or Vampire facial?

The content and action of these injection therapies is very different. The PRP contains platelets that activate an inflammatory cascade which in turn brings in endogenous repair molecules to repair the induced inflammation.

The stem cell serum, on the other hand, contains a much more direct regenerative action. All the transcription factors and the peptides that are injected are ready-to-act reparative molecules that go into the tissue to build more blood vessels in the area, to regrow atrophied nerve tissue, to rebuild collagen, to repair DNA damage done to the skin and so on. They dissolve fibrotic scar tissue via their anti-fibrotic elements, and lift the skin via their elastin elements. The action of the stem cell serum is precise in reprogramming and remodeling the skin, far beyond what you would get from a purely cosmetic procedure with regular dermal filler. 

Who can benefit from a stem cell facial?

Anyone dealing with one or more of the following skin conditions may benefit from a stem cell facial.

• Wrinkles
• Scars (including Acne Scars)
• Acne
• Enlarged pores
• Rough skin texture
• Loose or sagging skin
• Uneven skin tone
• Excessive sun exposure
• Fine Lines & Age Spots
• Hyperpigmentation
• Rosacea

Are there any side effects?

There are no known negative side effects. You may experience post treatment redness and sensitivity in areas of injections. This is normal with cosmetic procedures. In addition, it is recommended to avoid exposure to the sun for 24 hours post stem cell facial rejuvenation, to give the facial rejuvenation treatment time to settle.

How often should I get a stem cell facial?

The frequency of stem cell facial depends on your needs and your overall health. Stress, exposure to toxins and chronic disease take reparative resources from skin, hair and nails. This is normal. The organs are most important for survival, skin is often secondary. This is why aging shows up on skin quite early.

Once you have a healthy regimen and have treated the underlying health issues, the stem cell facials hold longer and tone and lift the facial tissue more readily. Beautiful skin is a sign of overall health, this is why we recommend the full stem cell treatments in facial rejuvenation. Whole body rejuvenation is the best approach for a youthful appearance.

How much does a stem cell facial cost?

Stemaid Institute's stem cell facial costs $750, and even less when one purchases a set of six facials. It is suitable for all skin types.

How is the Stemaid Institute stem cell facial unique?

At Stemaid Institute, here in Los Cabos, Mexico, we use pluripotent stem cells and exosomes (Plurisomes™), in our stem cell therapy and in our aesthetic facials. Unlike the standard mesenchymal stem cells (adult stem cells) used in the clinics world-wide, the pluripotent stem cells signal repair in all 220+ tissues of the body and activate potent regenerative and remodeling pathways in all the tissues they reach. When applied to the skin, they are able to repair DNA damage, elongate telomeres, reset methylation, increase production of collagen, collagen growth and improve elastin production. The Plurisomes™ also contain growth factors for facial nerve regeneration, and increased blood vessel production for better skin perfusion and healthy skin tone color.

The most unique feature of pluripotent stem cells and the serum that they secrete is cellular reprogramming. To render the skin more youthful looking, we essentially need to turn back the epigenetic clock inside the skin cells. The unique Yamanaka transcription factors of pluripotent stem cells have been shown to remove the epigenetic markers of age, and turn back the clock, reverse the physiological age of different tissue types, including the facial skin. Plurisomes™ may in fact be the ultimate facial rejuvenation strategy due to this very new and very unique epigenetic reprogramming effect.