What Is a Vampire Facial? How PRP Works, Results and Downtime

A vampire facial is a treatment that uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP) prepared from your own blood to encourage the skin to produce more collagen. At Privée Clinic in Darlinghurst, we offer the vampire facial to clients across Sydney's Eastern Suburbs who want a natural option for improving skin quality. This guide explains what the treatment involves, how the plasma is prepared, who it suits, how many sessions are usually needed and what recovery looks like.

Key Takeaways

• A vampire facial, also called a PRP facial, uses your own platelet-rich plasma to encourage collagen production.
• It may help with fine lines, wrinkles, sagging or crepey skin, dark circles, enlarged pores, stretch marks and overall glow.
• At Privée Clinic we usually recommend three treatments per area about a month apart, with top-ups every 6 to 12 months.
• Swelling is common, especially around the eyes, and usually settles within a day or two. Bruising can occur.
• The treatment is not suitable for people with a history of cancer, clotting disorders or blood cell disorders. A consultation is always required first.

What Is a Vampire Facial (PRP Facial)?

A vampire facial is a non-surgical treatment that places platelet-rich plasma from your own blood back into the skin to support its natural repair and collagen production. The name comes from the use of blood, but the treatment itself is a measured clinical procedure. Because the plasma is your own, there are no synthetic products involved.

At Privée Clinic, we often discuss the vampire facial with clients who want a natural option and would prefer to avoid wrinkle reduction or volumising treatments. It can also sit alongside other treatments within a broader plan. Changes are gradual rather than instant, because the skin needs time to build new collagen, and results vary between individuals.

How Platelet Rich Plasma Is Prepared

Platelet-rich plasma is prepared in the clinic on the day of your treatment from a small sample of your own blood. The process is straightforward:

• A small amount of blood is drawn, much like a routine blood test.
• The sample is spun in a centrifuge, which separates the blood into its layers.
• The platelet-rich plasma is collected and prepared for treatment.

At Privée Clinic, this is carried out by AHPRA-registered clinicians using TGA-approved products and devices. The plasma is prepared for you and used in that same appointment.

What Happens During a Vampire Facial Appointment?

During a vampire facial at Privée Clinic, your clinician draws a small blood sample, prepares the platelet-rich plasma and then injects it into the areas being treated. Before treatment begins, we review your medical history and confirm which areas you would like to focus on.

Areas we commonly treat include:

• The under-eye area
• Cheeks and jawline
• Neck and décolletage
• Hands
• Post-pregnancy bellies and stretch marks

Please avoid taking antihistamines on the day of your treatment. For full details of our approach, visit our vampire facial treatment page.

What Can a Vampire Facial Help With?

A vampire facial may help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, sagging and crepey skin, dark circles, stretch marks and enlarged pores, and it can give the skin a healthier glow. It works by stimulating collagen, so improvements build gradually over the course of treatment.

Clients often ask us about PRP for the under-eye area in particular. If dark circles are your main concern, our guide to the best treatments for dark circles under the eyes explains the other options too. PRP can also be used on the hands, a common concern we cover in our article on why your hands age faster than your face.

Age, genetics, lifestyle and sun exposure all influence how your skin responds. Smoking reduces the effectiveness of the treatment. No specific result can be promised.

Who Is – and Is Not – a Good Candidate?

A good candidate for a vampire facial is someone in good general health who wants a natural, gradual improvement in skin quality and has realistic expectations. At Privée Clinic, we confirm suitability during your consultation.

The vampire facial is not suitable for people with:

• A history of cancer
• Clotting disorders
• Blood cell disorders

Please tell us about any health conditions and medications during your consultation. If PRP is not the right fit, we will talk you through other options that may better suit your skin.

Course of Treatment, Downtime and Aftercare

At Privée Clinic, we usually recommend three vampire facial treatments per area, spaced about one month apart, followed by top-up treatments every 6 to 12 months to maintain results.

What to expect afterwards:

• Redness and a hot, sunburn-like feeling for around 24 hours.
• Mild to moderate tenderness where the plasma was placed.
• Swelling, particularly around the eyes, which usually settles within a day or two.
• Possible bruising.

Most people return to work the next day. Because bruising can occur, we suggest scheduling important events before your treatment or at least two weeks afterwards. We provide aftercare instructions on the day, and you are welcome to contact us with any questions during recovery.

Safety, Risks and How Privée Clinic Approaches Care

A vampire facial uses your own plasma, but it is still a medical treatment with possible side effects, so it should only be performed by qualified clinicians. Common side effects include redness, tenderness, swelling and bruising.

Privée Clinic was established in 2010 by Nurse Practitioner Natalie Abouchar. All our procedures are performed by AHPRA-registered clinicians using TGA-approved products and devices. We discuss the possible risks, what you are likely to feel and realistic timelines during your consultation so you can make an informed decision. Results cannot be guaranteed and vary from person to person.

Considering a Vampire Facial in Sydney? – Contact Privée Clinic

The best way to find out whether a vampire facial suits you is a consultation at our Darlinghurst clinic. We will look at your skin, talk through your goals and medical history, and recommend a plan that suits you, whether that is PRP or another treatment. Call 0428 170 420 or email bookings@privee.com.au to arrange an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a vampire facial hurt?

Most people feel mild to moderate discomfort where the plasma is placed, followed by a warm, sunburn-like feeling for around 24 hours. Your clinician will talk you through what to expect and how to keep you comfortable.

How soon will I notice changes?

Changes are gradual because the treatment works by stimulating collagen. This is why we recommend a course of three treatments per area rather than a single session. Everyone responds differently.

Can I combine a vampire facial with other treatments?

Yes, the vampire facial can be part of a broader plan that includes other treatments. Timing and spacing are planned around your skin, so please tell us about any recent or upcoming treatments.

How should I prepare?

Avoid taking antihistamines on the day of treatment, and avoid smoking, as it reduces the treatment's effectiveness. Book your appointment so that important events fall before your treatment or at least two weeks afterwards, in case of bruising. Never stop a prescribed medicine without first speaking to your doctor.

How do I book a consultation?

Call Privée Clinic on 0428 170 420 or email bookings@privee.com.au. Your AHPRA-registered clinician will assess your skin and health history and let you know whether a vampire facial is right for you.