Skin · 6 min read
PRP and the 'Vampire Facial': What It Actually Does
By Dr Hassan Soueid · MD, FRCS · Lead Surgeon, Kensington Cosmetic Clinic
Published 21 June 2026
TL;DR. PRP concentrates the growth factors in your own blood and applies them to the skin or scalp to encourage repair and collagen. It is a genuine, evidence-supported treatment for skin quality and early hair thinning, but it is a gradual booster, not a dramatic one-off fix.
How it is done
We take a small blood sample, spin it in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma, then deliver it into the skin, often with microneedling, or into the scalp for hair. There is no foreign material, it is entirely your own.
What the evidence supports
- Skin: gradual improvement in texture, fine lines and glow over a short course.
- Hair: useful for early-stage thinning, slowing loss and improving density in suitable patients.
Where it falls short
PRP will not replace lost volume, lift sagging skin or regrow hair where follicles are already gone. If your expectation is dramatic and immediate, we will be honest that this is not the right treatment.
How we use it
We usually recommend a short course spaced a few weeks apart, then maintenance. It pairs well with microneedling for skin and is a sensible first step for early hair concerns before considering a transplant.
Frequently asked
Questions we get asked about EnerPeel®
- Is the 'vampire facial' just PRP?
- Yes. The name refers to PRP applied with microneedling. The plasma comes from your own blood.
- How many sessions do I need?
- Usually three sessions a few weeks apart, then occasional maintenance. Hair protocols are similar.
- Does PRP work for hair loss?
- It helps early thinning by improving density and slowing loss. It cannot regrow hair where follicles are already lost.