‘Vampire Facelift’ a rejuvenating procedure for glowing younger skin interests GCC residents

Less waiting times and best treatment at comparatively lower prices are prime factors - key decision driving points which guide patients from GCC  and across the globe to choose India as the point of medical destination treatment. ‘Vampire Facelift’, a non-surgical cosmetic procedure increasingly sought after by people for slowing down the ageing process is the latest in the Apollo’s cosmetology portfolio. People who are travelling overseas for high quality and cost-effective medical care and Apollo Hospitals, Asia’s foremost healthcare provider, is harnessing India’s rising stature as a medical tourism destination. The hospital has reinstated its position across the globe by offering state-of-the-art treatment facilities including advanced cosmetic procedures. 

‘Vampire Facelift’ is a popular name for Selphyl, a non-surgical cosmetic procedure involving the reinjection of - platelet rich plasma (PRP) - 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. This procedure is also a big hit with celebrities and has another tag - ‘bloodbath’. Thirty five-year old reality television star Kim Kardashian, 39-year old British actress Anna Friel, 56-year old British Hollywood actor Rupert Everett and 44-year old Australian singer Dannii Minogue regularly underwent this procedure for younger-looking skin.

 “Aging skin concerns are addressed by PRP or popularly known as ‘Vampire Facelift’, a rejuvenating aesthetic treatment that naturally encourages the skin to build more cells and thus renew itself. In this procedure own blood rich in powerful growth factors is drawn from the patient's body and separated in its key components delivering platelet-rich plasma or PRP. Vitamins and amino acids are mixed with the plasma and then re-injected into areas that are needed to be pumped up. This PRP would stimulate collagen production which would tighten skin cells and lead to a long lasting effect. When we get a cut and bleed, it is the platelets and growth factors that help to heal the wound. The same logic applies here; the healing ability of blood is used to rejuvenate the skin cells to make them look plumper, more radiant and less dull and grey,” says Dr. Shahin Nooryezdan, Senior Consultant – Cosmetic Surgery at Apollo Cosmetic Clinics, New Delhi.

Aging is a natural process that takes place over the years regardless of outside influences. After the age of 20, a person produces about 1 percent less collagen in the skin each year. As a result, the skin becomes thinner and more fragile with each passing year. There is also diminished functioning of the sweat and oil glands. Improper diet, smoking and sun exposure all cause stress on skin cells that then appears as fine lines, hyper-pigmentation, uneven skin tone and sagging skin.

Areas commonly treated using PRP include cheeks, around the eyes, jawline, back of hands, neck, knees, elbows, upper arms and post-pregnancy stretch marks. Not just this, PRP finds application in severe hair fall,  receding hairline, premature ageing, sports injuries and pain management for conditions like tennis elbow, knee pain, joint pains orthopaedic medicine, dentistry, reconstructive surgery, diabetic foot ulcers, bedsores and first and second degree thermal burns. 

While improvement in the skin texture is visible within the first month, full collagen regeneration takes 3 months. Enhancement in skin quality continues over the next 12 months; as new collagen production carries on to improve the overall appearance of the dermis. The effects last for a variable period ranging from around 18 months to 2 years.

 “Today patients are apprehensive about neurotoxins used in Botox. They demand something 'natural', fast, effective and long lasting. PRP comes across as a good option as it uses a non-surgical procedure to give excellent results. Moreover, as it uses own blood, it minimizes the risks of rejection or allergic reactions from the body and has no side effects. However, the procedure should be done in a proper setting with the right equipment. While dealing with blood products, we need to be extra cautious as minor errors can lead to contamination, infection and even skin breakdown. Therefore it is essential to make sure that the facial is conducted by a trained and qualified professional who maintains a strict adherence to hygiene guidelines to ensure the success of the treatment,” said Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Senior Consultant, Cosmetic Surgery, Apollo Hospitals Delhi.  

India is now among the premier medical tourism destinations and a KPMG study in 2014 placed the country among the top three such destinations in Asia, mainly due to the low cost of treatment, quality healthcare infrastructure and availability of highly skilled doctors. Cosmetic procedures like ‘Vampire Facelift’ is especially appealing to medical tourists who seek to combine the best destination experience with minimum hospital stay.

Apollo Hospitals opened their first dedicated cosmetic care facility in New Delhi in 2013 and since then the specialised centre has performed various cosmetic procedures on several patients, including hundreds from abroad. The hospital performs a wide range of cosmetic procedures including surgical liposuction (abdominoplasty) to remove excess body fat, rhinoplasty (nose job) and breast augmentation. Botox fillers to reduce wrinkles, laser hair removal, acne and scar removal, skin tightening, the ultrasound-based anti-ageing technique, Ultherapy, and ‘Vampire Facelift’ are among the most sought-after non-surgical procedures these days.