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Vampire Facial · PRP Microneedling · Platelet-Rich Plasma

Your own biology.
Your best skin.

The Vampire Facial combines medical grade Dermapen microneedling with Platelet-Rich Plasma derived from your own blood. The PRP, rich in growth factors that your body uses to heal and regenerate tissue, is applied directly to the skin immediately after needling, when thousands of micro-channels allow it to penetrate deep into the dermis. The result is a measurably stronger collagen response than microneedling alone, with no foreign substances, no allergic risk and no synthetic additives. Dr Barker draws the blood, spins the centrifuge and performs the entire treatment personally.

Per session R2,950 Includes blood draw, centrifuge and PRP application
Sessions recommended 2 to 6 Spaced 4 weeks apart · Varies by concern
Treatment time 60 to 90 min Including blood draw and centrifuge preparation
Downtime 1 to 3 days Redness and mild swelling, resolves quickly
The Process

Four steps. Your own biology doing the work.

The entire procedure is performed by Dr Barker personally from start to finish. Nothing is delegated. The blood draw, centrifuge, Dermapen treatment and PRP application are all carried out in a single session.

1
Blood Draw
A small amount of blood is drawn from the arm, identical to a routine blood test. Dr Barker performs this personally in-room.
2
Centrifuge Spin
The blood is placed in a centrifuge and spun to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the red blood cells. This concentrates the growth factors.
3
Dermapen Treatment
Medical grade Dermapen microneedling is performed across the treatment area, creating thousands of micro-channels for maximum PRP absorption.
4
PRP Application
The concentrated PRP is applied to the skin immediately while the micro-channels are open, allowing deep dermal penetration of your own growth factors.
What It Treats

Skin concerns the Vampire Facial addresses

Acne Scarring
The combination of microneedling and PRP growth factors produces a significantly stronger collagen response than needling alone, making it particularly effective for rolling and boxcar acne scars.
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Growth factors in PRP accelerate the collagen and elastin remodelling triggered by microneedling, producing a firmer, smoother skin surface with a more youthful appearance over time.
Skin Texture and Tone
Uneven texture, rough surface and dull complexion are all addressed by the accelerated renewal process. Most patients notice a marked improvement in overall skin quality after the first session.
Sun Damage and Pigmentation
PRP growth factors support accelerated cell turnover, helping to fade sun damage, uneven pigmentation and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation more effectively than microneedling with topical actives alone.
Skin Laxity and Firmness
The enhanced collagen and elastin production stimulated by PRP improves overall skin firmness and resilience. Particularly effective for early laxity in the lower face, neck and around the eyes.
Radiance and Glow
Beyond structural improvement, the Vampire Facial consistently produces a visible luminosity and glow that patients notice from the first session. Improved microcirculation and accelerated renewal produce a complexion that looks genuinely healthy and rested.
About the Treatment

No synthetics. No foreign substances. Just you.

Platelet-Rich Plasma is derived entirely from the patient's own blood. There are no synthetic substances, no animal products and no risk of allergic reaction, because the active ingredient is biologically identical to what the body already produces. This is what makes the Vampire Facial fundamentally different from treatments that introduce a foreign ingredient into the skin.

Platelets contain a high concentration of growth factors, proteins that the body uses to signal tissue repair and regeneration. When concentrated PRP is introduced into the dermis through the micro-channels created by Dermapen microneedling, these growth factors directly stimulate fibroblasts to produce new collagen and elastin, accelerate cell turnover and improve local microcirculation. The result is a stronger, faster and more sustained collagen response than microneedling with topical actives alone.

Dr Barker performs the entire treatment from start to finish. He draws the blood, operates the centrifuge, performs the Dermapen treatment and applies the PRP himself. The process takes 60 to 90 minutes from blood draw to completion. Patients are able to return to normal activities within 1 to 3 days as the initial redness and mild swelling resolves.

The Vampire Facial is suitable for men and women across a wide age range and all skin types. Because it uses the patient's own biological material, it is one of the safest aesthetic skin treatments available. It is particularly well suited to patients who want a meaningful result without synthetic ingredients, or who have not achieved their goals with standard microneedling alone.

Why PRP Over Topical Actives
Growth factors your body already recognises

Even the best medical grade topical actives are recognised by the body as external substances. PRP growth factors, derived from the patient's own platelets, are biologically identical to the signals the body uses naturally to trigger tissue repair. This means the cellular response is stronger, more targeted and more sustained. The fibroblasts responsible for collagen production respond more powerfully to the body's own signalling molecules than to any synthetic alternative. For patients who want the strongest possible collagen induction result, PRP is the logical choice over topical actives alone.

The Treatment Experience

What to expect

1
Consultation and assessment
Dr Barker assesses the skin, discusses the primary concern and confirms suitability. He will recommend the number of sessions most appropriate for the goals and explain the process clearly. Patients with certain blood conditions or who are on blood thinning medication may not be suitable. The consultation is complimentary.
2
Blood draw and centrifuge preparation
A small amount of blood is drawn from the arm by Dr Barker in-room, similar to a routine blood test. The sample is placed in the centrifuge and spun to separate and concentrate the platelet-rich plasma. This takes approximately 10 minutes and runs while the topical numbing cream takes effect on the skin.
3
Dermapen microneedling
With the numbing cream in place, Dr Barker performs the Dermapen treatment systematically across the treatment area. The device creates thousands of micro-channels at a precisely calibrated depth, triggering the collagen induction response and preparing the skin for maximum PRP absorption.
4
PRP application
The concentrated PRP is applied to the skin immediately after needling while the micro-channels are open. It is massaged gently across the treatment area to ensure even distribution. This is the point at which the growth factors penetrate deep into the dermis where they have the greatest effect on collagen production and skin renewal.
5
Recovery and results
The skin will appear red and feel warm for 12 to 48 hours, with possible mild swelling and tenderness for 1 to 3 days. This is more pronounced than standard microneedling due to the biological activity of the PRP. Results develop progressively over several weeks as collagen remodels, with optimal outcomes after a full course of 2 to 6 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart.
Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is the Vampire Facial the same as PRP microneedling?
Yes. The Vampire Facial is the popular name for PRP microneedling. Both terms refer to the same procedure: Dermapen microneedling combined with Platelet-Rich Plasma derived from the patient's own blood. The PRP is applied to the skin immediately after needling to maximise absorption through the micro-channels created by the device. Dr Barker offers this as a single combined treatment.
How is this different from standard microneedling with actives?
Standard microneedling at this practice uses medical grade topical active ingredients applied after needling. The Vampire Facial replaces or enhances these with the patient's own PRP. Because PRP growth factors are biologically identical to the body's own repair signals, the cellular collagen response is stronger and more sustained than with synthetic actives alone. For patients with significant scarring, laxity or those wanting the best possible result, the Vampire Facial is the more powerful option.
Does the blood draw hurt?
The blood draw is a standard venepuncture, identical to a routine blood test. Most patients find it entirely comfortable. Dr Barker performs this personally in-room before applying the topical numbing cream to the face, so by the time the centrifuge has finished spinning, the skin is numb and ready for treatment.
How many sessions will I need?
For general skin rejuvenation and glow, 2 to 3 sessions produce an excellent result. For acne scarring or more significant concerns, a course of 4 to 6 sessions gives the best outcome. Sessions are spaced 4 weeks apart to allow the collagen remodelling from each session to develop before the next. Dr Barker will give a clear recommendation at consultation based on the specific concern and current skin condition.
Is there more downtime than regular microneedling?
Slightly. The biological activity of PRP can produce slightly more redness and mild swelling in the 24 to 48 hours after treatment compared to standard microneedling. Most patients are comfortable returning to work and social activities within 1 to 3 days. The skin may also feel warmer and look more flushed for a day or two longer. SPF is essential in the days following treatment.
Is it suitable for men?
The Vampire Facial is popular with male patients because results are completely natural looking, with no tell-tale signs of aesthetic treatment. Improved skin texture, reduced scarring and a healthier complexion are all outcomes that patients notice without being able to identify the cause. Men with acne scarring or those wanting to maintain skin quality without obvious intervention are excellent candidates.
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Assistant
Hello. I know this treatment in detail. What would you like to know?
You
What is actually in the PRP?
Assistant
PRP is made from your own blood. A small sample is drawn, spun to concentrate the platelets, then applied during microneedling. No foreign substances involved.
You
How long until I see results?
Assistant
Initial glow within days, with full collagen results building over 4 to 6 weeks.
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