Dubai: If you think that all the possible remedies to achieve the perfect skin are sitting on the shelves of your local beauty store. Think again.
An unusual procedure known as the "Vampire facelift", which uses a person’s own blood to help iron out their wrinkles, has hit Dubai sparking a debate between health authorities and clinics.
A recent ban by the Dubai Health Authority has stopped salons and spas from offering the treatment. However, the ban does not apply to all clinics in the emirate.
Still offering the treatment, the plastic and reconstructive surgery clinic, Elite Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Group told Gulf News that the ban does not extend to clinics located in Dubai Health Care City.
“We have not received any written instructions from DHCC with regard to any restrictions or ban on PRP treatments,” said a spokesman from the clinic. The clinic added that most, if not all cosmetic and aesthetic related clinics in Dubai are providing such treatments as they are considered effective, safe with no any side effects.
Used anywhere on the face and body, the Vampire Facelift is a non-surgical rejuvenation treatment that uses a person’s own blood to activate and rejuvenate cells in the face by regenerating new tissue.
Dr Allen Rezai, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at the clinic, talked to Gulf News about the new non-invasive surgery that has left Dubai residents fascinated.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Skin Rejuvenation Therapy, commonly referred to as “Vampire” or “True Blood” Skin Rejuvenation, is the latest natural approach in anti-ageing facial and body rejuvenation, using the patient’s own blood cells, explained Dr Rezai.
With minimum to no recovery time needed, the procedure has almost no side effects or any risk of an allergic reaction as the injected treatment is produced from the patient’s own blood. The procedure involves a small amount of blood being taken from the patient and centrifuged to separate the red blood cells from the Plasma- a golden yellow liquid known as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma). The PRP which contains concentrated amount of white blood cells, the body’s natural defence against infections is then re-injected into the skin. The therapy is particularly effective when applied on the jaw line and lower-face, neck wrinkles, fine wrinkles around the eyes, cheeks and mid-face, and chest and neckline. It is also effective on the back of hands and arms and areas with hair loss and acne scarring, explained Dr Rezai.
The various proteins in the treatment are beneficial for increasing collagen formation, connective tissue formation, skin tightening and overall rejuvenation, he said.
Since it introduction in Dubai in 2013 at the Elite Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery clinic, the procedure has attracted patients who are not ready to go under the knife but are looking to iron out fine lines. “During the last year, we have treated over 350 patients at the clinic.” Dr Rezai pointed out that 99 per cent of their patients usually see results between 3-6 weeks following their initial treatment. “The skin continues to improve gradually over the next 3‐6 months with improvement in texture, tone and the overall rejuvenation of the skin.” Between three to five session area advised within the first year of treatment, and one or two touch up sessions a year may be required to maintain the results depending on the patient’s age and skin condition. The clinic offers the procedure at Dh5,000 per session.
