This week Kim Kardashian underwent a blood facial on the hit reality show "Kourtney and Kim Take Miami." Since the episode aired, the so-called "vampire facial" has become quite popular.
Kardashian, 32, likes to share her beauty regimen, including tips on makeup, hair and body treatments. Her latest beauty tip is not for the faint-hearted, because it takes blood to give the skin a more youthful look, in what is called a "vampire facial." Doctors inject the patient's own blood platelets into the skin using nine needles.
Kardashian's own blood was extracted from her arm using a humungous needle. It was then placed in a machine to spin the platelets out from it in preparation for the treatment. Using a medical tool that has nine tiny acupuncture needles, it was then applied to her face, with the expectation of giving a more youthful appearance.
"The needles open the skin so the platelets go in. The growth factors within are released through the tissue to form collagen and elastic tissue, that heals the area," said Dr. Gallo, medical director and facial plastic surgeon at Miami Institute for Age Management.
Kardashian had the procedure done by the hands of Dr. Gallo himself and complained about the pain as the needles were being applied to her face.
"Oh my God. I will never get a facelift if it feels like that," said Kardashian during the procedure, then posted a photo of her bloody face on Instagram.
"There is controversy with this treatment. Is it the panacea for aging? No, or a replacement for a facelift? No. But, is it a good treatment for maintaining and looking fresh and new? It is," said Gallo, when asked if it really works.
"I love trying anything that makes you look and feel youthful," said Kardashian on the show during the procedure. The episode of "Kourtney and Kim take Miami" featuring the vampire facial aired Sunday, March 10.
