Thank you for your question.
You are asking if the Vampire Facelift® can be performed on someone who happens to have
hepatitis C and a concern of course about potential side effects.
Well, I can certainly give you my perspective based on this very straightforward question
about hepatitis C and the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
Just a little bit of background, I’m a Board-certified cosmetic surgeon and Fellowship-trained oculofacial
plastic and reconstructive surgeon.
I’ve been in practice in Manhattan and Long Island for over 20 years.
I’m a very active member of the Vampire Facelift® network of physicians and I’ve
been a resource to the media when, occasionally, questions about the Vampire Facelift® arises
often when a celebrity has a procedure related.
So I can give you basically the evaluation process when someone comes to us.
A little bit about the evaluation process, when someone comes to us and gives us a history
similar to what you’ve described.
So to begin with, let’s understand a little bit of the basics or the science around the
use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and determine if this is the right thing for you.
To begin with, platelets and the concentration of plasma which is the vampire part of the
procedure is intended to stimulate the building of collagen, blood supply and the improvement
of tissue quality.
And what that basically results when we use it in this type of procedure is a beautiful
healthy glow to the skin.
It is also an improvement of fine lines and improvement of generalized skin texture and
quality.
This is based on the science of the effect of platelets.
And what do platelets do?
Platelets are the cells of the body that are activated when you get a cut.
So the question that I would ask first to a patient, for any medical condition, is what
happens if you get a cut?
Does it take longer to heal?
Do you have any problems with healing?
If you were to cut yourself when shaving or cut yourself with anything, do you have any
issues with healing?
If you don’t, then chances are it’s not going to be an issue.
Hepatitis C is a chronic viral infection of the liver.
That means that if it is very active well then chances are you’re not going to want
to do anything because you need to manage your liver inflammation.
But if your liver function test and other blood work are good then there should be no
issue with having a treatment like this.
You’re drawing your blood, you’re separating out the platelets and you’re having these
injections performed in a way that should be no different with anyone else.
It is actually something that is important for the people who perform the procedure to
do what is still standard regardless of this method of precaution which is to avoid inadvertent
contamination or injection of your blood into a staff member.
But from your perspective, if your goal is to achieve improvement of skin quality then
there should be no objection.
If there is a question in your mind about the state of your liver function and your
general state of health, go to your medical doctor.
Have a full blood workup done and bring this to the doctor that you are considering choosing
to do the procedure for you.
From my perspective, this amongst many other different chronic medical conditions has not
prevented people having platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments.
As long as you have good platelets and they function well, there should be no issue.
So I hope that was helpful, I wish you the best of luck and thank you for your question.