Microneedling With PRP: What the Vampire Facial Add-On Actually Does

In 2013, Kim Kardashian posted a selfie with her face streaked in her own blood, and the "vampire facial" went viral overnight. More than a decade later, the nickname still does the heavy lifting, and it still confuses people. What most of them are really asking about is microneedling with PRP.

This guide clears up the naming, walks through the appointment in order (including the parts people get squeamish about), and answers the question that matters most: is PRP microneedling worth it compared to microneedling on its own?

At Eternity Wellness, you can book either version. Start with our microneedling treatment near me page to see both options, then read on to decide which one fits.

Key Takeaways

Here's the short version before the details.

• A vampire facial and microneedling with PRP are the same treatment.
• PRP is a thin liquid applied over freshly microneedled skin so it soaks into the channels. PRF is thicker and is injected, the same way Sculptra is placed.
• In one split-face study, microneedling plus PRP improved acne scars about 62%, versus about 46% for microneedling alone.
• Nationally, expect $500 to $1,500 per session, with most people needing three sessions spaced four to six weeks apart.
• Downtime matches plain microneedling: one to three days of redness.

Is a Vampire Facial the Same as Microneedling With PRP?

Yes. "Vampire facial" is a nickname (and a registered U.S. trademark owned by the physician who coined it) for the same minimally invasive cosmetic procedure used for skin rejuvenation: microneedling with platelet-rich plasma applied on top. The blood comes from your own arm, which is where the vampire jokes come from. Nothing from a donor and nothing synthetic goes into your skin.

The confusion usually comes from three options that sound alike:

• Traditional microneedling: a pen device creates micro-channels, and a serum such as hyaluronic acid or vitamin C is applied.
• Microneedling with PRP (the vampire facial): the same pass, with your own concentrated plasma applied into the channels.
• PRF natural filler: a thicker, gel-like preparation of your blood that is injected for volume under the eyes, in the cheeks, and around the lips.

Microneedling is also commonly called collagen induction therapy, and here PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

The PRP versus PRF distinction matters. PRP is spun quickly, stays liquid, and releases its growth factors fast, which is why it pairs with microneedling: it's thin enough to travel down the channels. PRF is spun slowly and forms a fibrin gel that releases growth factors over days. It's too thick for the channels, so it's injected into a deeper plane of the skin, the same way Sculptra is placed. If volume loss is your main concern, the PRF natural filler treatment is the better fit.

What Does Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Add to Microneedling?

PRP adds a concentrated dose of your own platelets, which release concentrated growth factors that support tissue repair and tissue regeneration while telling skin cells to repair and build collagen production. Microneedling creates micro-injuries in the skin's surface, triggering the body's natural healing response and boosting elastin production. PRP turns up the response.

Think of it this way: microneedling knocks on the door, and PRP sends in the work crew to accelerate healing. Growth factors such as PDGF, TGF-beta, and VEGF recruit collagen-producing cells, support new blood vessels, and speed up the cleanup phase of healing.

There's research behind the pairing. In a 2016 split-face study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 50 patients with acne scars had microneedling on both sides of the face over three monthly sessions, with PRP on one side and distilled water on the other. The PRP side improved 62.20% on a standard scar-grading scale; the water side improved 45.84% (Asif et al., 2016). Everyone improved. The PRP side improved more. Visible improvement develops over the healing process, not overnight.

What that looks like in the mirror:

• More improvement per session in acne scars and smoother [skin texture]
• [Brighter skin] and a more even tone that show up in the first two weeks
• Softer fine lines around the eyes and mouth over four to six weeks

To be clear, PRP doesn't turn one session into a miracle. It makes each session work harder. For the full timeline from day one through week six, read what one PRP facial actually looks like.

What the Appointment Looks Like, Step by Step

Here's the whole visit in order, including the parts people ask about quietly.

Total time runs 60 to 90 minutes. Does it hurt? The numbing cream does most of the work, especially after the topical numbing cream is applied beforehand. The draw feels like any lab draw, and microneedling feels like light sandpaper or a buzzing pressure, with the forehead, upper lip, and hairline the most sensitive spots. The PRP itself doesn't sting. If blood makes you queasy, say so. It stays in sealed tubes, and you never have to look.

Is PRP Microneedling Worth It?

This is the real question, so here's an honest comparison on the three things that matter: cost, downtime, and results.

Microneedling With PRP Cost

The national microneedling with PRP cost is $500 to $1,500 per session, and most people land around $750 to $850. Insurance typically does not cover this cosmetic procedure. Standard microneedling with a serum usually falls between $300 and $500. The gap covers the blood draw, the single-use collection kit, and centrifuge time. 

At Eternity Wellness, both versions are offered as a three-pack, and multi-session packages can save about 15 to 25 percent on costs, because a series is where the results show. Ask for current pricing at your consultation.

Downtime

Same as plain microneedling. Expect redness for 24 to 48 hours, pink through day three, and light flaking on days two to four. Some patients find the PRP side calms faster. Either way, plan for one to three days before a big event.

Results: Improvement in Acne Scars and Skin Texture

PRP earns its price when the goal is acne scars, deeper texture, stretch marks, or the most improvement per visit for stubborn skin concerns. It's also the better pick before a wedding or a photoshoot, since the glow shows earlier. Collagen remodeling can continue for up to 12 weeks after treatment. Plain microneedling with vitamin C is enough for pore refinement, enlarged pores, mild texture, maintenance between series, or a first session to test your tolerance.

The verdict: if scars, lines, or a specific event are driving the decision, PRP is usually worth the difference. If you're maintaining skin you already like, plain microneedling is a solid choice, and our post on microneedling facial vs a regular facial explains how it compares with a spa facial.

Microneedling Alone vs. With PRP vs. With Sculptra

PRP isn't the only thing that can be paired with microneedling. Sculptra, a collagen biostimulator, is often combined with it too, but the way it's combined is different, and people often compare these pairings for facial rejuvenation, so it's worth getting right.

With PRP, the plasma is applied on top of the skin during microneedling and soaks into the channels because it is thin. Sculptra never goes into the channels. It is injected into a deeper plane of the skin, where it stimulates collagen over months, and the microneedling is performed afterward as a separate step that builds the collagen response at the surface. PRF works the same way as Sculptra: injected, not applied. In contrast, PRP supports more surface-level healing and dermal remodeling.

For the full breakdown of that pairing, read our microneedling with Sculptra guide.

Safety: Why the Setting Matters More Than the Name

The vampire facial has had bad press, and some of it was earned. In 2024, the CDC linked HIV infections in three women to vampire facials at an unlicensed New Mexico spa that reused single-use equipment and kept unlabeled tubes of blood in a kitchen. The treatment wasn't the problem. The setting was.

A safe PRP microneedling appointment looks like this:

• A licensed clinical provider in a supervised medical setting, not a salon or a home visit
• Sealed, single-use collection tubes and needle cartridges, opened in front of you, and a medical-grade centrifuge
• Your blood labeled with your name and never out of your sight
• Screening questions that review your full medical history, including blood thinners, platelet disorders, active acne or rosacea, cold sores, herpes simplex, pregnancy, and any skin cancer in or near the treatment area; some conditions, including blood cancer, may rule out treatment
• Written aftercare and a way to reach the clinic if something looks off

With proper screening and sterile technique, PRP microneedling is generally well-tolerated for most patients.

Two questions worth asking anywhere: who is drawing the blood, and is the cartridge single-use? If the answers are vague, walk.

How Many Sessions Do You Need?

Most people need 3 to 4 treatment sessions, spaced four to six weeks apart, for optimal outcomes, while acne scars may take four to six. It’s safe for all skin types. Results from a single session peak around four to six weeks, and a series stacks those gains. After the initial series, one maintenance session every six to 12 months keeps the results going, and results from PRP microneedling can last 12 to 18 months with maintenance sessions.

PRP Facial in Louisville, KY

If you've been searching for a PRP facial Louisville KY option, Eternity Wellness at 1220 E. Kentucky Street offers PRP microneedling, microneedling with vitamin C, PRF natural filler, and Sculptra, all in a supervised medical setting. A consultation is the fastest way to find the pairing that fits your skin and your budget. Browse our medical facials in Louisville or book a consultation today.

Microneedling With PRP: FAQs

How is PRP collected, and does it hurt?

One or two small tubes of blood are drawn from your arm, much like a routine lab test, for the prp treatment. The sample is then centrifuged for 10 to 15 minutes so the components separate and the platelet-rich plasma used in the prp microneedling treatment can be prepared from your own blood. The draw is a quick pinch. Most of the discomfort comes from the microneedling itself, which numbing cream keeps mild.

How long is the downtime after PRP microneedling?

One to three days. During recovery, avoid sun exposure, including tanning beds, to reduce irritation while your skin heals. Redness is strongest in the first 24 hours, fades to pink by day two, and flaking can show on days two to four. Most people are back to their routine, with makeup, by day three or four. After the initial healing period, most patients can gradually return to their normal skincare routine, but should avoid chemical peels at first.

What do PRP microneedling before and after results look like?

Immediately after, the skin is flushed and warm. By week two, skin often looks smoother in texture with a brighter, more even tone. By weeks four to six, texture, fine lines, and large pores may show the biggest visible change from a single session. Our PRP facial results guide, linked above, covers the full timeline.

Who shouldn't get microneedling with PRP?

People with active acne or rosacea flares, open wounds, or skin infections in the treatment area, anyone on blood thinners or with a platelet disorder, patients with blood cancers, and patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should hold off or talk with a provider first. Age alone is not the issue, since younger patients may still be candidates depending on the concern being treated, such as acne scars or surgical scars, and the results of medical screening. A history of keloid scarring also needs a conversation.

References

Asif, M., Kanodia, S., & Singh, K. (2016). Combined autologous platelet-rich plasma with microneedling verses microneedling with distilled water in the treatment of atrophic acne scars: A concurrent split-face study. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 15(4), 434-443. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12207

Stadelman-Behar, A. M., Gehre, M. N., Atallah, L., et al. (2024). Investigation of presumptive HIV transmission associated with receipt of platelet-rich plasma microneedling facials at a spa among former spa clients, New Mexico, 2018-2023. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 73(16), 372-376. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7316a3