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Latest Trend In Anti-Aging: Vampire Filler

Patients' Blood Used To Fill Wrinkles

POSTED: 1:18 pm EDT July 29, 2010
UPDATED: 11:57 am EDT August 2, 2010

From "Twilight" to "True Blood", vampires are all the rage in 2010. And so are procedures that erase wrinkles from your face.

Combine the two trends and you get the vampire filler.

"There's a certain, I think, sex appeal and interest in vampires and I think because of that, and using your own blood, it got that name," said Dr. Chip Cole at Oculus Facial Plastic Surgery.

Cole said this new injectable -- comprised of patients' own blood cells -- is the next best thing to a facelift, without the surgery and downtime.

"The main benefit is that it's natural and also, you're putting components in that are called platelets and they have growth factors and those growth factors stimulate your own body to make collagen," Cole said.

Jennifer Merker said she was intrigued by the concept.

"It's a little unusual, but I think the science behind it is really interesting," Merker said.

First, blood is drawn from Merker's arm. They spin it down to separate the blood cells from the plasma. Then, the liquid is drawn back into a syringe and injected into the lines around her eyes, nose and mouth.

Cole said unlike other dermal fillers, such as Sculptra and Juvederm, the vampire filler doesn't cause inflammation, therefore pain and bruising are minimal.

The entire process takes about 20 minutes. The patient will see some results right away, but the full effect comes in about three weeks.

Results can last up to two years with single injection.

Carrie Ekmark got injected six weeks ago to fill in the laugh lines around her mouth.

She described the experience as, "very simple, very easy."

What does she think when she looks in the mirror now?

"I think it looks great," Ekmark said.

The vampire filler won't give you super powers, but according to Cole, it will keep patients looking younger, longer.

"This is red, but it's really the new green, because it's truly recycling," said Cole.

The vampire filler is offered under the brand name Selphyl. Click here for more information.


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