It's no secret that Kathryn Bernardo has amazing skin. Aside from having good genes and a consistent skincare regimen, we know that she also regularly visits the derma to maintain that glass-skin ~*glow*~. In case you're curious, one of the beauty treatments she swears by is called a "vampire" facial—and yes, it involves blood, but it's not as scary as you think.
In Aivee Clinic's Instagram post, the 27-year-old actress shared that she gets this facial to improve her "skin texture" and "minimize" her pores.
Okay, so what exactly is a vampire facial?
A vampire facial—otherwise known as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy—is a microneedling treatment that infuses platelet-rich plasma (this is taken from your own blood) into your skin.
In case you're not familiar with traditional microneedling yet, it involves using a device with itty-bitty needles to poke your skin, triggering its natural healing response. Now, it is said to be even more effective with the addition of PRP.
"Both PRP and microneedling stimulate collagen growth, and are complementary when done together," Dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD, shared in a report by Cleveland Clinic.
What are the benefits of a vampire facial?
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It tightens the skin.
One of the main benefits of the vampire facial is its ability to stimulate the body's natural collagen production. ICYDK, collagen is a vital protein responsible for maintaining the skin's firmness, elasticity, and overall youthful appearance. By promoting collagen growth, the beauty treatment minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, resulting in a smoother complexion.
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It helps improve your skin texture!
The vampire facial's combination of microneedling and platelet-rich plasma encourages cell turnover, leading to improved skin texture. That said, it helps reduce the appearance of acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone, leaving you with a more refined and even complexion.
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It naturally makes your skin *glow*.
As it rejuvenates the skin, this bloody beauty treatment can help you achieve a more radiant complexion.
What is it like to get a vampire facial? And is it painful?
First things first: An aesthetician will be drawing some blood from your arm. The blood will then be placed in a machine called "centrifuge", which separates the red blood cells from the plasma. ICYDK, the latter is the colorless fluid part of your blood that contains "growth factors to help stimulate repair," board-certified plastic surgeon Melissa Doft, MD, told Allure.
After collecting your blood, the aesthetic professional proceeds with the *microneedling* treatment, which creates "micro-injuries" in the skin. The platelet-rich plasma is then applied to the face, allowing it to penetrate deeply into the skin. The procedure is generally well-tolerated, with minimal discomfort.
According to Kathryn, getting a vampire facial wasn't as "painful" as it sounds. She shared, "We already put emla [a topical numbing cream] so numb na yung face ko. It's not painful but I know it looks painful. Meron siyang mga microneedles. After mga four to five days, I super love the result because it gives you that clear, glassy skin."
What to expect after getting a vampire facial
After the treatment, you may experience some redness or mild swelling, which are temporary and subside within a few days. It is essential to follow the aftercare instructions provided by your aesthetic professional, which may include avoiding direct sunlight, using gentle skincare products, and staying ~hydrated~.
How soon will I see results from a vampire facial?
You can expect to have a glowing appearance after your skin heals. However, keep in mind that the results will even get better with time, especially as your skin regenerates and produce more collagen.
