PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) treatment is a method in which growth factors extracted from the patient’s own blood are processed and then reinjected into the skin. PRP therapy is an anti-aging treatment that uses no additives whatsoever, making it exceptionally well-tolerated and very natural.
Microneedling gives you a refreshed, youthful complexion and a radiant appearance without any significant downtime.
The term “vampire facelift” is commonly used to describe the combination of microneedling and PRP
Important Facts
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Treatment duration: 30 minutes
- Anesthesia: a topical anesthetic ointment if needed
- Aftercare: Sun protection
- Result: Gradual improvement in skin condition over weeks to months; multiple sessions are required
- Pain level: Low, only tiny punctures with very fine cannulas
- Social activities: Immediate; minor bruising is possible in rare cases
- Price: Vampire Lift (microneedling with PRP) – Face €330, each additional area (neck, décolleté) €50, PRP tear troughs €350, PRP for individual facial areas (e.g., upper lip, cheek area, crow’s feet) starting at €300, each additional area €50, PRP for hair loss €280
What is PRP Therapy
PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma. Other terms used to describe this highly effective skin rejuvenation therapy include autologous plasma treatment, autologous blood therapy, or plasma lifting.
Recently, the procedure has also gained attention in the media under the somewhat “sensational” names “vampire facelift” or “Dracula facelift,” as Hollywood celebrities like Kim Kardashian have raved about the method.
But what exactly is this anti-aging treatment that everyone is talking about? Well, strictly speaking, treatment with autologous plasma is anything but new. Autologous blood has been used in medicine for many years, initially in orthopedics, where it was discovered that using autologous blood leads to better wound healing in cases of cartilage damage in joints. Subsequently, it was discovered that the active ingredients in blood plasma are also remarkably effective for regenerating facial skin, treating scars, or stimulating hair follicles in cases of hair loss.
But first things first: what exactly is plasma? Plasma refers to the part of the blood that no longer contains cells (white or red blood cells). It is a golden-yellow liquid that contains, among other things, a large number of thrombocytes, or blood platelets. And it is these blood platelets that are responsible for the effects of PRP treatment, as they are rich in the body’s own growth factors.
How is blood plasma obtained
To obtain PRP, blood is drawn from the patient and processed using a special procedure. After processing, the red and white blood cells can be removed, leaving behind the blood plasma, which contains all the platelets. The entire procedure takes only about 10 minutes in the office, and the result is a golden-yellow liquid that Americans even refer to as “liquid gold” because it is so valuable when it comes to regenerating various tissues.
How does PRP work
The platelets in blood plasma contain numerous growth factors that stimulate, for example, collagen synthesis and cell regeneration. This allows the body to repair itself in the event of an injury. As a result, autologous blood therapy can be used in a variety of ways to harness the self-healing properties of plasma.
PRP treatments for skin rejuvenation on face, hands, or décolletage
In PRP treatment for skin rejuvenation, platelet-rich plasma is precisely applied to specific problem areas on the face, hands, or décolletage, so that the growth factors are released there. This stimulates collagen production, resulting in a significant improvement in skin texture and enhanced regeneration. The result of the treatment is skin tightening, with small wrinkles being smoothed out.
PRP therapy for dark under-eye circles
There are many causes of dark circles under the eyes. On the one hand, a lack of subcutaneous fat in the lower eyelid can create a groove that casts a shadow—in this case, it is recommended to use hyaluronic acid injections before proceeding with plasma treatment. On the other hand, however, the cause may also lie in very thin skin in the lower eyelid area. In this case, the eyelid muscle shines through the delicate skin, making it appear darker. PRP treatments can then be used to firm the skin, so that it appears less translucent. I will determine which therapy is right for you during a detailed consultation.
Scar Treatment with PRP
In addition to the standard PRP treatment for skin rejuvenation, the use of plasma has also proven effective for acne scars. Since acne scars are unfortunately extremely stubborn, 6–10 treatments are typically required—ideally in combination with microneedling—to achieve an improvement in skin texture.
Even in cases of hair loss, amazing results can be achieved through targeted injections of plasma into the scalp, as the growth factors help to stimulate the hair follicles. This plasma treatment is equally popular among men and women. It has proven effective for androgenetic hair loss, as well as for issues arising after severe infectious diseases (COVID-19) or during periods of heightened stress. Plasma is also frequently recommended to help the newly transplanted hair take root properly following a hair transplant procedure.
Advantages of PRP Treatments
No foreign substances - a very natural method for skin rejuvenation
Since PRP is a substance produced naturally by the body and contains no additives, the treatment is extremely well tolerated. During a PRP lift, no additional substances are added to the patient’s own blood. Because everyone tolerates their own blood, allergic reactions or other serious side effects are virtually impossible.
PRP is therefore an anti-wrinkle treatment that is ideal for patients for whom it is particularly important to avoid any foreign substances in their face—for example, because they have a strong tendency toward allergies, or because, for various reasons, treatment with hyaluronic acid or Botox is not an option for them.
The most common side effects of a vampire facelift are small bruises or mild swelling, which disappear after a few days.
No downtime
The treatment is performed on an outpatient basis at one of our clinics in Vienna or Baden, and patients can go home immediately afterward. They may have minor bruising on their face, or, if PRP was combined with needling, their entire face may be reddened, but they can carry out their normal daily activities without any restrictions.
You look absolutely natural afterwards
Unfortunately, as aesthetic procedures become more popular, we also see more and more alarming examples of poorly performed treatments. Whether in Hollywood or here in Vienna, we unfortunately keep seeing people who, for example, can no longer move their faces at all or have strangely altered facial contours. The reasons for this are often botched facelifts, excessive use of Botox, or fillers that were applied incorrectly. This cannot happen with a PRP lift. The plasma has no volumizing effect; it simply improves skin quality and stimulates regeneration and collagen synthesis. Once any minor swelling and bruising have subsided after the treatment, no one will notice that you’ve “had something done,” but many people will notice your fresher appearance.
Combination of PRP Treatment with Other Methods
PRP therapy can be easily combined with other minimally invasive aesthetic treatments upon request, such as products containing hyaluronic acid (fillers, skin boosters, or Profhilo) or Botox. However, to minimize side effects, I recommend spreading these treatments out over several sessions, spaced a few weeks apart.
Another very popular treatment option is the Combination of the vampire facelift with microneedling. In this form of the vampire facelift, the facial skin is first numbed with a topical anesthetic cream and treated with microneedling using a device known as a Dermapen. The PRP is then applied. Thanks to the numerous microchannels created in the skin during the microneedling process, the active ingredients in the blood plasma can now penetrate even deeper into the skin. The micro-injuries result in an even stronger stimulation of collagen synthesis, which is why small wrinkles are smoothed out even more effectively. The effect of the body’s own growth factors in the PRP leads to faster wound healing, so that the skin recovers more quickly after microneedling.
Preferred Areas of Application for PRP
- Fine wrinkles, for example on the upper lip or cheeks
- General skin thinning and sagging skin
- Improvement of skin quality on neck and décolleté
- Scars
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Hereditary hair loss
How Many PRP Treatments Are Needed
Skin Rejuvenation - Vampire Lifting
Even though a noticeable improvement in the skin can be seen after just a single autologous blood treatment, I have had the best results with plasma facelifts when 3–5 initial treatments are performed at intervals of about four weeks, followed by regular maintenance treatments about once or twice a year.
The initial treatment provides the skin with a powerful stimulus for rejuvenation, followed by regular booster treatments that further promote regeneration.
PRP for Hair Loss
If you are undergoing therapy to stimulate hair follicles, you should have at least three to four treatments spaced about three to four weeks apart. This is particularly recommended following a hair transplant, in which case the first treatment is often performed immediately after the transplant (which is frequently done abroad), and patients then switch to me for the subsequent treatments.
How Long Does It Take to See the Results of PRP Treatment
With the PRP method, it takes some patience before you see results, as the active ingredients in your own blood take time to take effect in the skin. The results develop slowly and gradually, building up over a period of several months.
For Whom Is Vampire Lifting Not Suitable
Even though the treatment is very well tolerated, there are still some contraindications.
These include:
- Coagulation disorders
- Existing cancer and ongoing chemotherapy
- Ongoing treatment with so-called platelet aggregation inhibitors
- Therapy with pain medications
- Therapy with cortisone preparations
- Acute infections in the treatment area
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about PRP Therapy - Vampire Lifting
Is PRP Treatment Also Suitable for Allergy Sufferers?
Since no additional substances are added to the patient’s own blood, plasma therapy is ideal for people with allergies and is generally very well tolerated.
How Much Blood Is Drawn for Vampire Lifting?
About 15 ml of blood is needed for the procedure, which is roughly the same amount taken during a routine blood draw.
How Strong Is the Lifting Effect in a Vampire Lifting?
A vampire facelift tightens the skin and stimulates collagen production, resulting in an overall rejuvenating effect. However, the results are naturally not comparable to surgery, in which excess skin is actually removed. On the other hand, a vampire facelift does not require anesthesia and leaves no surgical scars. Other surgical risks, such as severe infections or prolonged recovery time, are also eliminated. However, if you are seeking a significant lift of sagging facial areas, a surgical facelift is the better option, and I recommend that you consult an experienced plastic surgeon.
What Should I Consider Before the Autologous Blood Treatment?
To ensure that there are enough functional platelets in your blood, you should not have taken any anticoagulants, corticosteroids, or fever-reducing or pain-relieving medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or diclofenac in the ten days prior to treatment.
Diese Behandlungsinformation wurde erstellt und medizinisch geprüft von Dr. Vjara Ilieva, Ärztin mit Schwerpunkt auf ästhetischer Medizin, Longevity- und orthomolekularer Medizin und Fachärztin für Radiologie.
Letztes medizinisches Update: Jänner 2026