Vampire Facial and BioAge Serums at CurAge: What Each Step Does
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The vampire facial is one of the most recognized advanced treatments in skin care. It combines microneedling with platelet-rich plasma, a preparation made from your own blood. When a BioAge serum is applied in the treatment room, the session can be tailored further. This guide explains each part, what the evidence supports, and where the results come from.
What a vampire facial is
A vampire facial is a two-part treatment. First, a sterile device with fine needles creates thousands of tiny, controlled micro-channels in the skin. This process is called microneedling. Second, platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is applied to the treated area. PRP is prepared from a small sample of your own blood, which is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. Platelets carry growth factors that the body uses in tissue repair.
Because the plasma comes from you, the treatment does not introduce a foreign substance into the skin. The name comes from the blood draw, but the goal is the same as any advanced facial: smoother texture, a more even tone, and skin that looks rested.
How microneedling and PRP work together
Microneedling creates a controlled wound-healing response. The skin responds by producing new collagen and elastin over the following weeks. This is why microneedling is studied for fine lines, texture, and scarring, including acne scars. The micro-channels also open a path that makes topical ingredients more able to reach deeper layers of the skin than they would on intact skin.
PRP adds growth factors to that response. Clinical studies of microneedling combined with PRP, mostly small trials, report improvements in scar appearance and skin texture compared with microneedling alone. Results vary, and outcomes depend on the condition being treated, the protocol, and the individual.
Tell your esthetician about blood-thinning medications, active skin infections or cold sores in the treatment area, recent isotretinoin use, pregnancy, and any blood or immune conditions. Some of these may mean postponing or changing the treatment.
Adding BioAge serum in the treatment room
BioAge serums are applied during the session, typically after the microneedling and in combination with the PRP step. The serum is chosen to support the skin during the repair phase that follows. Because the skin has been microneedled, the serum can reach the treated layers more easily than it would on intact skin.
The exact protocol, including when the serum is applied and how it is combined with PRP, is set by your esthetician. The sections below describe what each key ingredient is intended to do.
NAD+, NMN, PDRN and exosomes, one by one
Each ingredient works in a different way. The table below summarizes what it is, what it may contribute, and how strong the current evidence is.
| Ingredient | What it is | Potential benefit for skin | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAD+ | A coenzyme that cells use to produce energy and repair DNA. | Supports cell energy and repair processes that may decline with time. | Limited for topical use in people. Its large size makes skin penetration difficult. |
| NMN | A precursor the body can convert into NAD+. | A smaller molecule that may be better able to support NAD+ levels in skin cells. | Early. Most human data concerns the whole body, not topical skin use. |
| PDRN | Polydeoxyribonucleotide, a DNA-derived fragment studied for tissue repair. | Studied for supporting wound healing and skin regeneration. | Moderate. Some clinical studies exist, mainly in wound and skin repair settings. |
| Exosomes | Small vesicles that cells release to send signals to nearby cells. | Proposed to help cells communicate during repair and renewal. | Mostly laboratory and early research. Product quality and sourcing vary widely. |
NAD+
NAD+ is central to energy production and DNA repair in every cell, and its levels tend to fall with age. Its role in skin is an active area of research. Its large molecular size limits how far it reaches on its own, which is one reason it is combined with a microneedling step here.
NMN
NMN is a smaller precursor that the body converts into NAD+. Its potential advantage is size: it may be able to reach cells more easily than NAD+ itself. Research so far is promising but early, and the best evidence comes from studies on the body as a whole.
PDRN
PDRN is made of DNA fragments and has been studied in wound healing and skin regeneration. It is one of the better-researched ingredients in this group, though most studies are small and involve specific clinical settings. Its role is to support the repair process that microneedling begins.
Exosomes
Exosomes are tiny packages that cells use to communicate. Their appeal is that they carry signals that may help other cells repair and renew. Most of the supporting data comes from laboratory work, and exosome products are not regulated the same way across markets. Quality depends heavily on how they are collected, purified, and tested, so it is reasonable to ask questions about sourcing before any treatment.
How the combination may enhance results
The vampire facial works in stages. Microneedling opens the way and starts repair. PRP supplies growth factors. The BioAge serum then provides ingredients intended to support the repair phase. The idea is that each step prepares the skin for the next, so the overall session may do more than any single part alone.
Step one
Open
Microneedling creates controlled channels and triggers the skin's repair response.
Step two
Supply
PRP delivers growth factors from your own blood, and the BioAge serum adds NAD+, NMN, PDRN and exosomes.
Step three
Support
Over the following weeks, the skin renews, and results build gradually.
There is no large clinical trial that compares this exact combination with each step alone. Results are best judged across a course of sessions, with photos taken at the start and between treatments.
Sessions and aftercare
Most people need a series of sessions rather than one. Microneedling is usually spaced several weeks apart, so the skin has time to complete each repair cycle. Your esthetician will set the schedule based on your skin and goals.
Redness and mild swelling are common for a few days. Keep the skin clean, avoid harsh exfoliants and strong actives for several days, and use a gentle moisturizer and sunscreen daily. Avoid heat, intense exercise, and sun exposure while the skin is recovering.
Follow your esthetician's aftercare instructions closely. Good aftercare is one of the most reliable ways to protect the results of a session.
Frequently asked questions
Is a vampire facial painful?
Most clients describe a tingling or scratching sensation. A topical numbing product is typically applied before the microneedling step to make the session more comfortable.
Is the PRP really made from my own blood?
Yes. A small blood sample is taken during your visit and processed to prepare the PRP used in your session.
How much downtime should I expect?
Redness usually settles within a few days. Some clients have mild swelling or light flaking. Your esthetician will explain what to expect for your skin.
Can I use BioAge serums at home between sessions?
Ask our team which products are suitable for home use and how to combine them with your treatment schedule.
Ready to see if a vampire facial suits you?
Book a consultation and let our team review your skin, your health history, and your goals before any treatment.
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