Invest in your skin. It is going to represent you for a very long time…
As a practicing dermatologist, I have been approached by most patients asking for treatments or therapies offering instant rejuvenation. As the field of dermatology evolved, we did get the answer in the form of many nourishing and uplifting facials and peels. Of all these, I would like to touch upon two such procedures, namely The Medical Facial and The Vampire or PRP Facial; both of which are creating waves today especially amongst celebrities globally.
The Medical Facial
This procedure has a 3-in-1 approach, resulting in nourishment and oxygenation of the skin which leads to a younger looking complexion. The resulting rejuvenation is seen and experienced immediately post the procedure. Since this procedure can be performed on all skin types (barring a few skin disorders), it has given the word Facial a new scientific basis.
Here are some of the benefits of the facial:
- Mild exfoliation of the skin which gives way to newer cells, hence taking away the dullness and allows better penetration of topical products
- Restores skin volume and plumps the skin
- Renews youthful glow
- Firms skin and tightens pores
- Improves skin cell production
- Reduces appearance of pigmentation
The main principle behind this procedure is The Bohr Effect; When CO2 concentration in a particular part of the body increases, the flow of oxygenated blood increases to that part, in turn causing release of more oxygenated Hemoglobin, hence in this case resulting in increased oxygenation of the skin.
This procedure mainly involves Exfoliation and Oxygenation followed by Dermal Infusion of products that contain peptides, hyaluronic acid, retinol, glycerin and many other nutrients that are good for the skin. The product is chosen depending on the skin type and the requirement. Following this a Tripolar Radio Frequency is performed on the patient which offers skin tightening and further infusion of the product.
The Medical Facial although performed by a dermatologist, is entirely machine based. This procedure can be performed even on acne riddled skin. The entire procedure lasts for about 30 to 35 minutes. Because it’s a quick procedure, I have also termed it — Lunch-time Facial. I would recommend this facial procedure every two weeks for the 1st month initially followed by once a month for maintenance.
The Vampire Facial or PRP Therapy
The Vampire Facial or The Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy is essentially a regenerative therapy which is based on the principle of Collagen Remodeling. This procedure is performed using the patient’s own blood. The patient’s blood is withdrawn from their arm and is processed or centrifuged.
Our blood contains, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and numerous other factors. Platelets are cells which play a crucial part in the arrest of bleeding — as well as in the repair of damaged blood vessels and cells. When the blood is centrifuged, the plasma i.e. the clear fluid is separated from the red and white blood cells.
The concentrated plasma is rich in platelets, growth factors fibroblasts and peptides and many nutrients. Depending on the indication, this plasma is then injected into the facial skin or infused into the dermis with the help of micro-needles.
The Vampire Facial has the following benefits:
- Improves the appearance of wrinkles, scars and pigmentation
- Restores volume and plumps the skin
- Rejuvenates the face
- Tightens the stubborn open pores
- If injected into specific areas it plumps and volumizes that area (e.g. under the eyes, around the nose and mouth) where someone might otherwise get fillers.
This procedure including the withdrawal and processing of blood takes approximately an hour. The frequency of this procedure is once every 4 to 6 weeks and is decided upon by a dermatologist after a consultation depending on the patient’s skin and the indications. The results are seen gradually as the skin undergoes collagen remodeling which can take up to weeks.
Conclusion
Both these facials rejuvenate and nourish the skin and offer a younger looking complexion. The medical facial uses products which are available only with dermatologists while the PRP uses the patient’s own blood. We have come far away from the time when a procedure would take hours and the downtime would take weeks. Both these revolutionary procedures have redefined facials and the field of dermatology. I definitely encourage people to consult a board-certified dermatologist and undergo these procedures for nourished, hydrated, rejuvenated and oxygenated glowing skin!
