Vampire facelift

Vampire Facelift is a name for a non-surgical cosmetic procedure involving the reinjection of a gel-like substance—platelet rich fibrin matrix (PRFM)—derived from a patient’s own blood back into multiple areas of the skin of their face in an effort to treat wrinkles and “rejuvenate” the face.[1] Vampire Facelift is a registered trademark of Dr. Charles Runels in the United States since May 24, 2011.[2]

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is blood plasma that has been enriched with platelets. When activated, either by thrombin[3] or calcium chloride,[4] PRP takes on the form of a viscous gel (PRFM) containing high levels of several platelet-derived growth factors (cytokines) that may then be injected into the face in much the same manner as other dermal fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane.

Although any of the many available commercial and non-commercial methods for isolating PRP could theoretically be used to obtain the PRP necessary to perform a Vampire Facelift, most media reports about the procedure to date have described using the Regen Lab system to generate the platelet rich plasma utilized.[1]

As of April 2011, there are no scientific publications that describe the Vampire Facelift procedure or examine its efficacy.[1] There are, however, three publications that report that PRP may be useful as a facial filler.[4][5][6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Saint Louis, Catherine (2 March 2011). "‘Vampire Face-Lifts’: Smooth at First Bite". New York Times. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
  2. ↑ See US Trademark Registration No. 3965319
  3. ↑ Peter AM, et al (2006). "Platelet-rich plasma preparation using three devices: Implications for platelet activation and platelet growth factor release". Growth Factors 24 (3): 165–71. doi:10.1080/08977190600821327. PMID 17079200.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sclafani AP (February 2011). "Safety, Efficacy, and Utility of Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrix in Facial Plastic Surgery". Arch Facial Plast Surg 13 (4): 247–51. doi:10.1001/archfacial.2011.3. PMID 21339469.
  5. ↑ Sclafani AP (2009). "Applications of platelet-rich fibrin matrix in facial plastic surgery". Facial Plast Surg 25 (4): 270–6. doi:10.1055/s-0029-1242033. PMID 19924600.
  6. ↑ Sclafani AP (2010). "Platelet-rich fibrin matrix for improvement of deep nasolabial folds". J Cosmet Dermatol 9 (1): 66–71. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2165.2010.00486.x. PMID 20367676.