Most branded facelifts include a benefit, or “hook,” for the consumer in their name: the Weekend Facelift, the Lifestyle Lift, the Quick Lift. But one branded rejuvenation option uses a different approach altogether, calling itself the Selphyl® Vampire Facelift.
Quite a twist on even the most catchy ways to attract the attention of those interested in looking younger, wouldn't you say? That unique brand name aside, what is the Vampire Facelift? And should you consider it?
According to the manufacturer’s website, www.selphyl.com, Selphyl technology allows a physician to use components of a patient’s own blood to create what’s termed a "Platelet-rich Fibrin Matrix." This mixture of blood (plus other ingredients that are hard to pin down) is then injected under the skin. The theory is that the preparation causes new cell growth and strengthens the tissues that support surface skin, smoothing wrinkles. Therefore, results Selphyl may offer are not really comparable to a surgical facelift; they’re actually comparable to those of hyaluronic-based fillers like Restylane and Juvederm.
It’s understandable that many patients would find Selphyl appealing. Because the treatment is based on your own blood, there’s no worry about side effects or downtime. And Selphyl has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for facial rejuvenation.
Is the treatment worthwhile? Discussing Selphyl on www.realself.com, patients and doctors alike seem to be mostly underwhelmed. One doctor said that it takes time to mix the preparation, it takes time to notice results and the effect is temporary. It’s no wonder Selphyl has failed to take away market share from the hyaluronic acid-based injectables.
But you can’t deny the marketing approach is interesting, and it does grab your attention. You may get a chuckle out of one plastic surgeon's reaction on RealSelf:
I must be the only one in the country who cannot understand the attraction to and preoccupation with Vampires. The whole Twilight phenomenon remains a mystery to me. But why let a perfectly good craze go to waste when there's a lot of money to be made.
There you have it—there’s the potential for money to be made. Just as there is with so many cosmetic treatments on the market today. When you run across treatments like the Vampire Facelift, take a close look and be prepared to wait to see what doctors and patients have to say over time.
If Selphyl—or any other new option—really proves itself, writers will be falling all over themselves to publish articles, consumers will be giving the treatment the thumbs up by the hundreds, and qualified plastic surgeons and aestheticians will offer it.
That’s not quite the case for Selphyl, at least not today.
References:
www.selphyl.com
www.realself.com/question/selphyl
Add a Comment6 Comments
Vampire Facelift procedure explained here http://vampirefacelift.com/
July 9, 2013 - 8:26pmWatch the video on news reports featuring the Vampire Facelift http://youtu.be/xzW5Ys-MU0w
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Vampire Facelift news reviews...
June 13, 2013 - 12:46amhttp://youtu.be/xzW5Ys-MU0w
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A detailed explanation of the Vampire Facelift (R) can be seen in this book:
http://VampireFaceliftBook.com
April 8, 2013 - 12:30amThis Comment
The inventor of the Vampire Facelift was reluctant to be interviewed. They finally tracked him down. Here's what he had to say... http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-943485
March 26, 2013 - 11:15pmThis Comment
Very informative article and you make some important points. There is a huge variation in the response to the Vampire Facelift (TM). With some seeing amazing results and others seeing nothing.
Part of the confusion is in the name. Selphyl is one way of isolating the growth factors from the blood. The Vampire Facelift (TM), which I developed and trademarked, is a specific way of using growth factors. Many use Selphyl and say they are doing the Vampire Facelift (TM) without even realizing the a specific and dependable process has been defined.
For example, on the doctors show, the physician did a fat transplant mixed with Selphyl--BEFORE the show. Then he added a little Selphyl later.
Some use 4 cc, others use 8 cc, some combine with Juvederm, others do not.
Are you getting the idea? It would be like everone buying carbonated water and caffeine and sugar and calling it Coke without having the whole recipe.
You can learn more at the official site, VampireFacelift.com
Thank you for getting the word out before the reputation of the procedure is hurt further by people doing it without understanding.
February 10, 2011 - 3:44pmThis Comment
I'm not sure why the above comment showed up as from an anonymous person. Not perfect, but I'll claim my imperfections--just writing to say that I posted the comment about the Vampire Facelift (TM) being a specific procedure and that much of the dissatisfaction comes from people having the right tool used a not-best way.
Charles Runels, MD
February 10, 2011 - 5:12pmDesigner of the Vampire Facelift (TM)
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