Did you ever hear of a "vampire facial?"
No, it has nothing to do with the CW show, "Vampire Diaries." Instead, many women like Gisele Bundchen and Kim Kardashian have tried this cosmetic procedure. But if you're thinking that a doctor is going to sink his fangs into your face, guess again!
A vampire facial works just like Restylane or Juvederm Voluma XC, the FDA-approved breakthrough Hyaluronic Acid (HA) filler that makes you look younger in an instant. The process, called Selphyl (cell-fill,) involves filling in lines, tackling wrinkles and plumping your skin, but there's a catch. The doctor uses a formula made from your own blood.
The eyebrow-raising beauty practice involves only a trio of steps for achieving a "fountain of youth" effect, fighting those pesky signs of aging.
Step 1: A doctor extracts about 2 teaspoons of blood from his or her patient.
Step 2: The blood is placed into a centrifuge that works to separate the platelets from the red blood cells.
Step 3: Then, the resulting "platelet-rich fibrin matrix" is injected into your face.
The method is worth the madness. Though the 45-minute process can be painful and pricey, patients can see a stimulation in collagen production. The technique has also been proven as an effective way to plump fine lines, while creating a more fuller face and neck.
More than 300 doctors are using the burgeoning procedure in the U.S. We hear that many female patients are partial to injecting themselves with a "natural" substance (their own blood,) as opposed to a synthetic formula, like the mainstream HA fillers that have saturated the beauty and cosmetics market.
An added benefit besides making you look younger? Doctors promise that Selphyl will last up to 24 months, which is much longer than the traditional fillers do once used.
But recapturing youth comes with a hefty price tag.
Many women have shelled out $1,200, which is considered standard with this kind of wrinkle-filling procedure.
What do you think of vampire facials? Believe in "fang-tastic" beauty? Tell us your thoughts with a note in the comments section below!
