Dark side of beauty! Understanding Vampire Facial Treatment; Here's how it's tied to HIV

One of the numerous outrageous minimally invasive cosmetic procedures that have gained popularity over time is the vampire facial. In a 2013 episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kim Kardashian received a vampire facial, which helped popularize it.

Basically, what is it?

Simply put, this cosmetic procedure entails using microneedling to infuse blood plasma rich in pallets into the patient's face. Three women in New Mexico who received vampire facials from an illegal medical spa were found to have contracted HIV, according to information released earlier this month by the USA's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  This is thought to be the first instance of HIV infection through a "facial" treatment that has been officially reported. The CDC stated in its Morbidity and Mortality Report, which was made public last week, that following the examination of the responsible clinic, they discovered that the New Mexico facility reused the disposable, one-time-use equipment, which probably exposed HIV-positive women to the virus.

vampire facial can turn scary

The process of a vampire facial, often referred to as PRP therapy, begins with the extraction of the patient's blood, which is subsequently passed through a centrifuge to separate the blood into plasma, white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. The physician then removes the platelets and plasma, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and uses microneedling to inject it into the patient's face.

Decoding the procedure

This cosmetic procedure is thought to hasten the development of collagen, which lessens pigmentation, sun damage, and wrinkles. Still, there is a dearth of studies to support its effectiveness.The recovery period from a vampire facial is minimal. After the treatment, one can resume their regular activities in a few hours, as long as they refrain from sun exposure, exfoliation, and vigorous exercise for a week.It could take up to a week for the vampire facial's full benefits to manifest.An Indian health tech business called Pristyn Care claims that the cost of a vampire facial can vary from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000 in India. Similarly, one vampire facial can cost anywhere from $250 to $1,500 (about between Rs 20,000 and Rs 1.2 lakh) in the USA, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Procedures involving platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which are employed in vampire facials, have not received FDA approval for cosmetic purposes. PRP therapy is only permitted in conjunction with medical operations like bone grafting. 
"These facials are not FDA-approved since the injection of platelets into the skin for the goal of altering the skin appearance is 'off-label' and not proven to be effective," plastic surgeon Dr. Lawrence Koplin told the BBC.