Interview with a Vampire Facial Patient
It’s months beyond Halloween, and the world’s love affair with vampires has finally abated slightly since Twilight etc., so what’s all this talk about “vampire facials”? Vampire Facial is the term used to describe microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Your skin is rejuvenated by using the body’s own growth factors to:
- Aid in the production of collagen and elastin
- Hydrate skin
- Create smooth and even skin tone and texture
- Brighten complexion and increase skin’s elasticity
Microneedling is a popular treatment process where your provider uses a device to resurface your skin, stimulating your body’s natural growth factors to assist in creating new collagen and elastin. Add your own platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and the result is compounded and the recovery time is decreased. Some of the many areas microneedling with PRP can improve are:
- Acne scars, surgical scars
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Stretch marks
- Uneven pigmentation
- Texture, glow and radiance
Amanda’s patient, Kristi O. (age 43), kindly shares her recent experience and some photos with us. Kristi has had two treatments, approximately 4 months apart.
Amanda Rose Esthetics (ARE): “Why did you decide to try Vampire Facial (VF)?”
Kristi: “My skin was in need of resurfacing to minimize small facial scars and to treat uneven skin tone (due to sun damage), to thicken the skin, especially around eyes, and to smooth fine lines and wrinkles by promoting collagen production.”
ARE: “Was the treatment process painful (on a scale of 1-10…)? How long did it take?”
Kristi: “The first treatment was at a pain level of 2. Felt like sandpaper rubbing against skin, no real pain. The second treatment was a little more aggressive because Amanda was able to go deeper with the microneedling since my skin was thicker after the first treatment. But the pain level increased to a 5…it felt worse at the beginning and a lot more tolerable at the end.
ARE: “What was recovery like? How long before you felt like your face appeared normal? Any complications such as skin irritation or discomfort in the days following the procedure?”
Kristi: “After the first treatment on a Thursday afternoon, I looked completely normal and could wear make-up by the fourth day (Monday). My skin felt tight immediately after the treatment and the next day. Felt and looked like a sunburn on day 1 and 2, but redness gone by day 3. After the most recent treatment, my skin was tight and noticeably red the next two days, and scaly/dry days 3-5. Fully recovered and looking completely normal by day 6.”
ARE: “What results have you noticed? How long did it take for these results to appear?”
Kristi: “Immediately following the treatment, my skin was tighter and felt lifted. A week after, my skin tone is more even and radiant. Skin is thicker and clearer, and 4-6 weeks later, I notice the depth of the wrinkles has lessened and my skin feels smoother.
ARE: “Any additional info you think might be useful to someone contemplating VF?”
Kristi: “I purchased a recovery cream called ALTAR by Vampire Skin Therapy and used it religiously the first few days to keep my skin moist. After a week, I went back to my regular moisturizer. I also did the red light therapy [at Amanda’s] immediately following the procedure as well as the next day (about 24 hours later) each time I had the VF to speed up the recovery process.”
Warm Up with TempSure Envi…
As the sun sets earlier, it’s common to feel like your spirits are dropping right along with the temperature outside. Besides the lack of mood-boosting energy we naturally derive from the sun, winter weather can strip the moisture from your skin, highlighting wrinkles and fine lines.
Fortunately, we can count on the sun returning to bring light and warmth to our days. We’re all increasingly aware however, that with each passing year the preservation of our bright, supple, fresh and glowing skin isn’t as certain as the change of seasons. ENTER TEMPSURE ENVI!
TempSure Envi has been a hot topic around here, and we’ve outlined the skin-tightening benefits from wrinkle reduction to minimizing the appearance of cellulite. The treatment experience is extremely pleasant and relaxing. The warming sensation is reportedly similar to a hot-stone massage, and leaves patients feeling soothed and smoothed. I’m feeling the chill melt away just thinking of it….
Providers and patients are reporting positive results, earning this new platform an excellent reputation for success!
TempSure; What to Expect
As previously mentioned, TempSure Envi has arrived at Amanda Rose Esthetics! We know it’s going minimize fine facial lines and wrinkles and tighten skin painlessly and with zero downtime, but let’s talk about HOW.
Collagen Synthesis – TempSure Envi delivers radiofrequency technology to gently heat your skin. Increasing the skin’s temperature for a defined, therapeutic time will trigger a natural response for your skin to create new collagen.
Collagen Remodeling – The new collagen fibers are tight, dense, and neatly organized giving you tighter, younger-looking skin.
Now, let’s discuss EXPECTATIONS.
It’s best to schedule a series of treatments, then plan for regular maintenance treatments to help counteract the loss of collagen that is part of the natural aging process.
- During a face treatment, you will experience a gentle warming sensation around the target area(s). Most treatments can be performed in under 45 minutes, which makes this a great lunch time option.
- After the treatment there is usually only a slight redness of the treated area. This redness generally will subside soon after. You will be able to return to your daily activities immediately following treatment!
TempSure Envi Has Arrived!
What is it? TempSure Envi is a brand new device that uses radiofrequency waves to smooth and tighten skin.
Why is it better than other RF devices? Cynosure, the maker of TempSure Envi has designed a device that stimulates the nerves much less than other devices, therefore a higher temperature can be applied which means TempSure delivers results faster, more efficiently and with less irritation to the skin surface. The PAIN-FREE treatment time is approximately 20 minutes per area, with NO DOWNTIME. 99% of patients described TempSure as relaxing!
Obviously Amanda Rose Esthetics is thrilled to be offering this revolutionary treatment, but we’re not alone! Check out this article from Marie Claire, and then call Amanda’s office to learn more!
The FDA Just Approved a Non-Surgical, Completely Painless, 20-Minute Face Lift
No, this isn’t a joke—it’s a very big deal.
What if I were to tell you that you could tighten your skin, soften your fine lines, and give your face the overall appearance of a dewy 22-year-old who’s spent her life living in a bubble? Oh, and it would only take 20 minutes? And oh, there would be virtually zero side effects or downtime?
You’d probably call me a liar or a witch, and honestly, both would seem correct, because this technology shouldn’t exist. And yet, thanks to the modern world and the FDA, it does now in the form of a little device called TempSure Envi.
Instagram@radiancefairfaxTempSure is a heating device that emit radio frequency waves (don’t worry; they’re safe) deep into your dermis to stimulate collagen production. “It tricks your body into thinking it’s been injured, so your body will send growth factors to the area to build new collagen,” says dermatologist Arash Akhavan, M.D., founder of Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City. “That leads to firmer, tighter, less-wrinkled skin.”
The device itself isn’t revolutionary—heating devices have existed in your dermatologist’s office for years (think Ultherapy, Thermage, Thermi, and Pellevé). Instead, what’s extraordinary about TempSure is the way in which the radio waves are delivered into your dermis. “Tempsure stimulates your nerves much less than with other devices, which means we can use a higher temperature without any pain, making it faster and more effective,” he says.
Courtesy of Cynosure
Dr. Akhavan is among the first dermatologists in the world to have a TempSure in his office (it’ll be rolling out to other dermatologists in the coming months), and he assures the very skeptical me of just how painless the treatment is. “I’ve tested it out on myself, and there’s really no discomfort—you just feel a warming sensation on your skin—and there’s absolutely zero downtime,” he says. “You could get it done over your lunch break, and nobody would even be able to tell.”
Another magical thing about the procedure: The whole thing is over pretty quickly. Though the treatment time depends on area size, Dr. Akhavan says most places (like the full face, the full abdomen, above the knees, and behind the thighs) take 20 minutes each, with results seen almost immediately. “You’ll see some tightening effects after your first treatment, though the real improvements set in after four-to-six weeks,” he says.
Courtesy of Cynosure
Annoyingly, you do need more than one treatment—four treatments total, spaced every two-to-four weeks, depending on what you’re getting done—but the results are permanent. “The collagen that you generate from TempSure is permanent, though it won’t prevent gravity’s natural toll, which is why we recommend a touch-up session every six months or once a year,” he adds. But, of course, that’s totally optional, if you feel like chancing it.
“It’s a big leap in technology, in terms of results and comfort,” says Dr. Akhavan. “It’s truly the most-effective face lift and neck lift that doesn’t require surgery, Botox, or retinol.” The only downside? It ain’t cheap.
Prices vary, depending on where you live, who you see, and what you get done, but you can expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000 for a set of four treatments. Still, if you’re looking to amp up your skin, and you’ve got some money to burn, why not immediately book a dermatology appointment? Excuse me while I go book mine.
ICONic Innovations at Amanda Rose Esthetics
Amanda’s patients can now benefit from brand new, industry-leading technology that delivers impressive results for:
- Facial vessel clearance (broken capillaries) and pigment reduction (brown spots)
- Scar treatment, including acne scars
- Stretch mark treatment
- Wrinkle reduction
- Hair removal
- Fractional skin resurfacing
Most of us have more than one area of concern to tackle. With the Icon system, Amanda can bring new results to multiple issues with minimal treatment time. Each patient’s areas of concern will be evaluated at the time of consult. Amanda will provide details such as how many treatments will be necessary to achieve desired results, and what to expect during and after treatment.
And the excitement doesn’t end there! Stay connected with Amanda Rose Esthetics and don’t miss updates announcing the arrival of the newest radiofrequency technology that will offer fast and PAINLESS (woo hoo!) skin tightening results for:
- Crow’s feet
- Forehead lines
- Frown lines
- Smile lines
- Cellulite
- Dilated blood vessels
Keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities to learn more about these developments and how you can maximize your results. If you just can’t wait to explore the options with Amanda, call her office to set up a consultation!(703) 473-3224