Blood for beauty? A look at how 'vampire facials' work

Would you give your own blood for beauty? Kim Kardashian did, and the procedure known as the "Vampire Facial" became popular overnight.

Her beauty secret left many asking, how does it work?

Nurse Sylvia Silvestri showed us at her Beverly Hills office.

First, a vile of blood is taken from her patient Erica Schwartz and put inside a centrifuge. When it's done spinning, red blood cells are separated from the yellow "platelet rich plasma" or PRP.

That's what is pumped into the skin to stimulate collagen growth, a natural beauty booster.

"It's using your own bodies natural abilities to heal itself by injecting it into the face and other parts of the body," Silvestri said.

Using a microneedle, Sylvestri made deep punctures in Erica's skin while feeding it with plasma.

"The procedure has all gone viral," Silvestri said. "Vampire facelift, facial, it's a sexy name and it took off."

Other patients like Monica who want a bigger beauty boost can opt for the Vampire Facelift, where the plasma is used with a filler and re-injected under the skin.

Patients said they like it because it's quick and there's little down time.

It was Monica's second time getting the facelift, and she was there on her lunch break.

"It lasts a year so for me it was just nice to come in one time a year for the procedure," patient Monica Holloway said.

But not all doctors think it's safe. Doctor Robert Singer, a La Jolla plastic surgeon, said it's not FDA approved for use in the face.

"I think the term is a very catchy one that really lacks scientific basis of validity," Singer said. "Essentially, it's not a facelift in my mind. It's somewhat false and deceptive advertising."

Singer also said some patients can experience serious side effects.

English Pop star Kerry Katona submitted photos of herself post-procedure to a UK newspaper where she said the Vampire Facelift left her face bloated and puffy.

"It's not without its problems," Singer said. "There is either swelling, there's bruising, there's recovery, but there's no good data that shows that it last any longer than the fillers that they inject at the same time."

However, many patients are happy with the results.

So does it work? You be the judge.

"I saw diminished fine lines, a brighter overall skin tone," Schwartz said.

Both patients we spoke with said they planned to do it again -- a procedure that's conjured a cult following for blood thirsty beauty addicts.

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