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I just found out about a new treatment for wrinkles that has me outraged and horrified at the same time. It’s called Stimulated Self Serum (S3) therapy. It’s been dubbed the Dracula Therapy, because this botox-like procedure includes drawing your own blood, and spinning it down to serum, red blood cells, and the platelets.
The serum is then fortified with vitamins and amino acids and injected back into your facial skin similar to how a Botox treatment is done.
The therapy was created in London by a doctor who considered what dentists were doing with soft tissue regeneration (cure for receeding gums, etc.), and saw an avenue for use in cosmetic surgery. Fascinating, but kind of Mad Scientist-ish, wouldn’t you say? I see the value in that it is an all-natural therapy except for the serum fortification, but I just can’t bend my mind enough to accept it as something we all should do.
Allegedly, women are finding great results with this, and are experiencing DNA-level repair to their skin, and virtual disappearance of their wrinkles, scars, and other facial lines without the paralysis that Botox can create.
OK ladies…it’s great that it works. Yeah, science! But seriously, where’s the line when it comes to what we will undergo to try and maintain or regain a youthful appearance? Is there even a line? I would love to hear from people on this, because I am sickened at the prospect of having four vials of blood drawn from my arm only to have the serum re-deposited in my face, hands or any other part of my body that is especially wrinkly. Let’s leave this procedure to patients who have suffered excessive physical harm, not have it for purely cosmetic reasons.
I am not naïve, I know people will pay for it. I literally have a puky feeling in my stomach as I write. It was bad enough when I had to receive a similar procedure in getting a blood patch to cure a spinal headache. I’m not about to electively go out and seek someone to do a similar process with countless more injections to my face just so I can look 10 years younger. This is not even considering what the procedure must cost, which was not discussed in the article, but I did find a NY Daily News article that stated it costs a little over $800 per visit, for the initial treatment and doesn’t include follow-ups which should be done every four to six months.
I think I’ll stick with my current skin care regimen, and save the $1,600-2,400 annual expense for other things, like eating right, getting my hair done, massages, and my gym membership which effectively could help diminish the need for said treatments. Let's all try and keep our vanity in check on this one, shall we? What do you think?
Resources:
“Latest Antiaging Craze Dracula Therapy Involves Injecting Your Face with Your Own Blood,” by Nicole Lyn Pesce, NY Daily News
http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2009/11/02/2009-11-02_latest_antiaging_craze_dracula_therapy_involves_injecting_your_face_with_your_ow.html
“The New Botox: ‘Dracula Therapy’ injects your own blood into your face,” Joanna Douglas, Yahoo! Shine
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/the-new-botox-dracula-therapy-injects-your-own-blood-into-your-face-541420/;_ylt=AsYf7RnXWOA9iP3jW.eSxblabqU5
Christine Jeffries is a writer/editor for work and at heart, and lives in a home of testosterone with her husband and two sons. She started a women’s group, The Wo-Hoo! Society, in the interests of friendship, networking, and philanthropy. The group meets separately on a monthly basis in the Phoenix and Kansas City areas. Christine is interested in women’s health and promoting strong women.
Add a Comment5 Comments
Me and my friend are having this treatment for the first time tomorrow.
November 11, 2011 - 3:04pmBoth very excited, although my friend is scared of needles so I am sure she is more nervous about it.
Its not for everyone I can appreciate that.
I personally wouldn't want a face lift later in life, a needle I can live with but hey if a person wants a face lift later in life then good luck to them.
In my opinion whatever makes someone happy and if it is done well and looks natural then why not.
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Unfortunately I have just read Christine's article! What a judgemental, biased and narrow-minded opinion! (of course each to their own) but this seems a much more natural and natural approach to anti aging. If this is crossing the line does she not know people slice open their facial skin and have it stitched back tighter A. K. A. Facelift? To me it's not vanity it's looking the best you can and feeling good.
February 24, 2011 - 10:29pmThis Comment
I believe Ms. Jeffries merely is raising issue with the procedure in the respect that she is asking, "at what cost do we want to look younger" "Where is the line?"
What is acceptable for one might not be for another...she never said in her post that the procedure is harmful, or dangerous.
November 6, 2009 - 7:56amThis Comment
perhaps it might be best to get in contact with Dr Sister to find out more about it as obviously you are going on an article alone and need to speakt to the Dr to get the facts right and understand there is nothing harmful, dangerous or horrific about this.
November 6, 2009 - 6:54amThis Comment
Hi, Christine
I'm a doctor and have been performing platelet rich plasma injections (the scientific name for stimulated serum) for orthopedic/musculoskeletal conditions for almost 5 years with excellent results. The way it works: At the time of injury platelets congregate at the site of the injury to create a blood clot (everyone knows this) but platelets also release proteins that are directly responsible for tissue healing and regeneration - so basically injecting platelets into an injury that never fully healed such as a tear, chronic tendonitis, (even arthritis), tricks your body into thinking that it has undergone a new injury (but it has not) and this launches your body's natural healing mechanisms to grow new, healthy, collagen.
November 5, 2009 - 10:24amAbout a year ago I learned of the cosmetic applications so I tried it on my girlfriend (of course) - to date I've performed this on about 18 women and 2 men and they have all been THRILLED. The 2 main applications are for filling folds and for rejuvenating aging skin (can be done anywhere on body such as face including eyelids or hands).
Now - onto a comment on your article. I can totally appreciate that you might be grossed out by PRP into your face if you are squeamish about blood and also if you have strong opinions about society's pressure on women to look like 22 year old anorexics. However the reality is there are many women (and men) who feel younger than they look and would like their skin to match their vitality and also attention to other aspects of their appearance (hair, clothes, etc). If you look at PRP therapy this way without judgement (and if you can look past the vampire stuff), really, triggering your body's own ability to regenerate is really a naturopathic approach.
Additionally, even though I've only been doing this for a year, so far the results are lasting and in fact you continue to notice improvement many months out.
Anyway, hope this helps
Dr Harry Adelson
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