therapy
Korean PRP Facial (Vampire Facial)
PRP 페이셜
Your own blood, refined and reinjected. Platelet-rich plasma paired with microneedling for collagen you can’t fake.
60-90 min
Duration
Every 4-6 weeks, series of 3-4 treatments
Frequency
Bearable
Comfort
1-3
Downtime
East vs West
Korean clinic
$200-400
Western equiv.
$600-1200
What you get
Korean
Western
$300/session for a PRP facial. That’s one-quarter of the US med-spa price for the exact same procedure — your blood doesn’t know what country it’s in.
The Korean philosophy
Korean clinics view PRP as a natural extension of the body’s own repair system. Rather than relying on synthetic ingredients, you’re harnessing your own growth factors at concentrated levels. The Korean twist: pairing PRP with microneedling for dramatically better absorption, and offering it at a price point that makes regular treatments feasible.
The ritual
Blood draw
5 minA small vial of blood (about 10-20ml) is drawn from your arm — similar to a routine blood test. Quick and minimally uncomfortable.
Centrifuge processing
10 minYour blood is placed in a centrifuge that spins at high speed, separating the platelet-rich plasma (golden-colored) from the red blood cells. This takes about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, numbing cream is applied to your face.
Numbing cream
20 minA topical anesthetic is applied generously and left to take effect. Your face goes numb while the centrifuge does its work — efficient use of time.
Microneedling + PRP
20 minThe concentrated PRP is applied to your face as the microneedling pen creates thousands of micro-channels. The needles push the PRP deep into the dermis where the growth factors can directly stimulate collagen-producing fibroblasts. This is significantly more effective than topical PRP application alone.
Calming mask
15 minA soothing sheet mask or hydrogel mask calms the redness and delivers additional hydrating ingredients. Your face will be red and slightly swollen at this point — completely normal.
Moisturizer + SPF
5 minA gentle barrier-repair moisturizer and mineral SPF finish the session. No active ingredients — your skin has enough stimulation for one day.
Your first time
The blood draw is the part that makes people nervous, but it’s just a standard blood draw from your arm — one small vial. While the centrifuge processes your blood (you can watch — it’s oddly fascinating to see your plasma separate into a golden layer), numbing cream goes on your face. The microneedling-with-PRP part feels like vibration and mild pressure thanks to the numbing. Your face will look red and slightly puffy after — like a moderate sunburn. This resolves over 1-3 days. Plan for 48 hours of looking rough. The glow that emerges on day 3-5 is worth the wait.
When to book
Book at least 7-10 days before any event — you need 2-3 days for redness to resolve and another few days for the collagen-stimulating glow to emerge. For best results, plan a series of 3-4 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Avoid sun exposure for 2 weeks after treatment. Stop retinol and blood-thinning supplements (fish oil, vitamin E) 5-7 days before.
Best for
Not recommended for
East vs West
The science is identical — it’s your own blood either way. But Korean clinics bundle microneedling + PRP as one treatment at $200-400 total. US med-spas charge $600-1200 for the same combination, often billing PRP and microneedling as separate line items. Korean clinics also include calming masks and aftercare that are add-ons in Western settings.
Aftercare
Critical: no actives (retinol, vitamin C, AHA/BHA) for 5-7 days. Use only gentle cleanser, ceramide moisturizer, and SPF 50+. Avoid exercise and sweating for 24 hours. Your barrier is compromised — treat your skin like it’s brand new for a week.
Keep the glow going
At-home products that extend and complement this treatment
Details