Aesthetic medicine
The vampire lift, that is platelet-rich plasma, what lies behind the name
The name is a marketing term and refers only to the fact that the material used for the treatment is the patient's own blood. In medical records it is described as the administration of platelet rich plasma, or PRP. Below: the mechanism, course and limits of this method.
Published 4 October 2023. Last verified 18 August 2026.
Where does the name vampire facelift come from
The name originated in marketing and refers to a single fact: the material used for the treatment is the patient's blood, drawn on site. It describes neither the technique, nor the scope, nor the effect, and the word facelift is misleading here, because plasma does not tighten the skin mechanically. In medical records the procedure is called the administration of platelet rich plasma.
It is worth knowing this, because patients search the internet for the popular name and hear the proper name at the practice. It is the same treatment, described on the platelet rich plasma page.
What platelet rich plasma is
Platelet rich plasma, abbreviated PRP from the English platelet rich plasma, is plasma with an increased content of blood platelets. Platelets take part in healing and contain growth factors, among them PDGF, TGF-beta and VEGF. Administered into the skin, they trigger repair processes: they stimulate fibroblasts to produce collagen and support the formation of new vessels.
Plasma belongs to the group of blood derived preparations, alongside fibrin. The difference between them lies in how the material is prepared and how long it persists in the tissue.
How collection and preparation of plasma proceed
The treatment starts with a blood draw, most often from a vein in the crook of the elbow, as with a routine blood test. The volume depends on the planned scope of the treatment. The tube with anticoagulant goes into a centrifuge, which separates the blood components by density. After spinning, the doctor separates the platelet-rich fraction from the red blood cells and from the platelet-poor plasma.
The prepared material is administered during the same visit, either as micro-injections or using a linear technique, depending on the area. The whole visit usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, with most of that time spent preparing the material rather than on the administration itself.
Before your visit it is advisable to be well hydrated and to avoid alcohol, as this affects the quality of the sample taken. Medicines taken regularly should be reported at the consultation. None should be stopped on your own.
Where plasma is used
In aesthetic medicine, plasma is administered mainly to the face, neck and decolletage, where the aim is to improve skin quality and hydration, and to the scalp, for thinning and hair loss. It is also used around the eyes, where the skin is thin and tolerates stronger stimuli less well.
Plasma is sometimes combined with treatments after which the skin heals, such as microneedling mesotherapy and fractional treatments, including CO2 laser. Whether the combination makes sense, and in what order, is decided by the doctor after assessing the skin, not simply by the fact that two methods can be carried out in one visit.
What plasma does not do
- It does not restore volume. Sunken cheeks or temples are treated with other methods.
- It does not lift a drooping eyelid. This is assessed by a doctor and, in some cases, is a surgical matter.
- It does not remove pigmentation. Pigment is addressed with other methods, described under pigmentation.
- It does not stop the skin ageing process and does not replace photoprotection.
- It does not treat the cause of hair loss if that cause is a general illness or a deficiency. In that case, diagnostic tests are needed.
For the same reason, this article does not cover orthopaedic uses. Plasma injections into joints and muscles belong to a different field and are not part of the clinic's offer.
Safety and contraindications
The material comes from the patient, so there is no risk of an allergic reaction to the preparation. This does not mean the treatment is free of risk: every injection can cause bruising, swelling, pain and, less often, infection. Transient symptoms usually resolve within a few days.
Qualification is carried out by a doctor. Contraindications include, among others, clotting disorders and anticoagulant treatment, blood diseases, active infection at the treatment site, cancer undergoing treatment, pregnancy and breastfeeding. The full list and exclusions are established during the medical history interview, and the list in this article is not exhaustive.
Contact the clinic if, after the treatment, you notice increasing pain, swelling lasting longer than a few days, fever, or redness spreading beyond the injection site.
Further on the site
- Problem: wrinkles, hair loss, under-eye shadows.
- Treatment: platelet-rich plasma, group: blood-derived preparations.
- Prices: aesthetic medicine price list.
- Booking a visit: contact or online booking.
The questions we are asked most often
Where the name vampire facelift comes from
This is a marketing name, referring to the fact that the material used for the treatment is the patient's own blood. In medical documentation, the procedure is called platelet-rich plasma administration, or PRP for short. The name does not describe either the technique or the scope of the treatment.
Does the platelet-rich plasma treatment hurt
Drawing blood feels similar to a routine blood test, and the administration of plasma is sometimes described as a pinching sensation. In sensitive areas, local anaesthesia or an anaesthetic cream is used. After the treatment, the area may be tender for a few days.
How many plasma treatments are in a series
A course usually includes 3 to 4 treatments, with the number and intervals set by the doctor after assessing the skin or scalp. The series can be adjusted if the response to the first treatments differs from what was expected.
How long does the effect of a plasma treatment last
The effect usually lasts from several months to a year, depending on the area and the individual response of the tissue. Plasma does not, however, stop the skin ageing process.
Is plasma safe, given that it comes from your own blood
Your own material does not cause an allergic reaction to the preparation, but the treatment itself is an injection, so bruising, swelling, pain and infection are possible. Qualification is carried out by a doctor, and contraindications include, among others, clotting disorders, blood diseases and active infections.
About this text
This text was prepared by the NL Clinic team. Published 4 October 2023, verified 18 August 2026.
The content is for information and does not replace a consultation.
Assessment of indications at a medical consultation
At the consultation, we check whether plasma is the right method for your skin or scalp, and whether there are no contraindications to drawing blood.