Octobers The Bravery Issue Download Now In terms of beauty, other than going under the knife it doesnt get much braver than the vampire facial.

PRP is the term often used for the increasingly popular platelet-rich plasma facial rejuvenation treatment. As the cosmetic industry has continued to develop, you no longer need to go under the knife to see amazing results. Treatments involving lasers and injections can still be daunting however, especially if youre using these for the first time. Platelet Rich Plasma facial rejuvenation treatment (PRP) is one such treatment, commonly referred to as the vampire facial which was made famous by Kim Kardashian in 2013. Aptly named, as the treatment requires blood to be drawn, then put through a special machine to separate the red cells from the nutrient-rich and regenerative plasma. This plasma is then injected into the facial skin, where it is supposedly meant to encourage collagen production and soften fine lines.

Its an incredibly popular treatment globally, which is reflected in the increase in treatment requests within the UAE. American Board Certified Dermatologist Dr Lana Kashlan of CosmeSurge Dubai has witnessed this increase directly. While the sight of the so-called vampire facial can be daunting, Dr Kashlan actually says its one of the safest treatments you can do. So, if youre looking to take a bold step in your beauty regime, this could be the time to do it as Dr Kashlan breaks down exactly what goes into PRP treatment and what you can expect from it.

PRP is a treatment that is really popular with my patients. Its earned the nickname of the Vampire Facial because it involves drawing the patients own blood and extracting the plasma from the blood and re-introducing the plasma to the skin. The platelets have within them growth factors which are proteins that stimulate different biochemical processes in the skin. Specifically, PRP is a great way to stimulate collagen production and improve the microcirculation to the skin. So typically, we draw a patients blood, process the blood to extract the plasma and then either inject or microneedle the plasma into the skin. We can also use PRP to stimulate hair growth on the scalp and I use it to improve dark circles under the eyes. The procedure is pain-free because we use a topical anaesthetic.

PRP is one of my favourite treatments because it improves the quality of the skin with very little downtime and is incredibly safe. Were using your own plasma so there is no foreign material and no risk of allergic reactions. PRP doesnt replace fillers or Botox because the result is different. Fillers are used to replace volume loss and Botox erases lines and wrinkles. PRP works in conjunction with these.

Like most skin treatments, you do want to avoid the sun before and after PRP for at least one week. Additionally, active skin irritations, like eczema or herpes infections are contraindications for PRP.

Typically, patients will have mild redness and swelling in the first 24-48 hours of PRP. Usually one week after treatment, patients will start to notice that their skin looks brighter and more even-toned and feels smoother. This is what we refer to as the PRP Glow. But the real benefits come from repeated sessions where you can see a reduction in pore size, wrinkles and fine lines.

I think deeper chemical peels like Dermamelan and laser-resurfacing procedures like the Erbium laser require a bit more bravery. These procedures are incredibly safe but they have a fair amount of downtime: redness, swelling, and peeling of the skin. This can require someone to either block out their professional and social calendar or be bold and continue their usual activities in spite of a little downtime.

I find that there is a higher level of appreciation for beauty in the Arab world than in the US. Both women and men in the Middle East recognize that taking care of their skin and enhancing their beauty is part of their overall health and wellness. There is a true sense of pride in looking after ones appearance. Because of this, there is definitely a heightened sense of awareness when it comes to the latest procedures when I compare my patients in the UAE to my patients in the US. In Dubai, my patients come in asking for the latest treatments by name. I would say my patients in Dubai are definitely braver and bolder when it comes to beauty and skincare. This can be a good thing or a bad thing. When treatments are done under the guidance of a qualified dermatologist or plastic surgeon, there is nothing to fear. Unfortunately, too often, I see patients who have been botched by other doctors who performed procedures that patients either didnt need or performed them incorrectly. So, I always encourage people to be cautious and to do their research before undergoing any cosmetic procedure.

Images: Getty

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Everything you need to know about the Kim Kardashian vampire facial - Emirates Woman