What can be said about a procedure that has the nerve to call itself the “vampire filler?” The procedure is called Selphyl and it uses PRP as a dermal filler. PRP, or platelet rich plasma, is made up of the patient’s fat and platelets, tiny bits of cells in their own blood. This substance plumps out wrinkles, scars and furrows. The platelets are collected with their plasma, the liquid part of blood, then mixed with an activator like thrombin to form a sort of gel. This is injected under the skin. Some patients claim that this procedure doesn’t cause detectable bumps under their skin, as do some other dermal fillers like hyaluronic acid.

is an outpatient procedure that can be performed in thirty minutes or less. Because it uses the patient’s own cells, the filler is hypoallergenic and won’t be rejected. The blood platelets are supposed to stimulate collagen, the material that keeps skin supple and youthful. Platelets also have their own healing properties. When there’s a wound in the body the platelets help the connective tissue around it produce fibroblasts that help knit up the wound. They also have growth factors, which are proteins that help cells divide and grow in a healthy way.

Selphyl is considered a form of blood collection because it uses the patient’s platelets. The patient’s blood is drawn, then the platelets are separated out in a centrifuge. This is probably why it’s called “vampire filler.” It’s injected the same way as other dermal fillers. The surgeon first marks areas in the face where the filler will be placed, then numbs the areas with a local anesthetic. Then, the PRP is injected into the areas. Like other dermal filler procedures there’s little recovery time and the patient can resume their normal activities right away, though there’s an inevitable amount of swelling and bruising. This can be taken care of by the application of ice packs.

Sometimes the Selphyl procedure is used in conjunction with other procedures. These other procedures may give the face volume and the Selphyl procedure is added for detail work like bags under the eyes, or fine wrinkles.

For more information on Selphyl see http://www.centerforfacialplasticsurgery.com/selphyl/.