Many people choose to get non-surgical treatments because they’re quick, non-invasive, with minimal or no downtime. The same dermatologist who developed the vampire facelift developed a vampire breast lift as well.
As the name suggests, this treatment is intended to give someone fuller, perkier breasts. However, between a surgical breast lift and its non-surgical equivalent, many people are unsure about which one to choose. Understanding these procedures will help you know which treatment can better meet your needs and expectations.
What is A Vampire Breast Lift?
Vampire breast lift (VBL) is a non-surgical procedure that uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to make the breasts appear fuller. This treatment may help give you a more defined cleavage while making the breasts appear firmer.
Platelet-rich plasma is a concentrate of proteins and growth factors that have been used in the healing of injured muscles and joints. It is also used for the treatment of hair loss. Other than speeding up the healing process, PRP can also stimulate the production of collagen, which can help make the skin tighter.
Given that, vampire breast lift makes use of PRP injections to subtly enhance the appearance of the breast. This procedure will not give you dramatic results by any means, nor will it get rid of sagging skin. Also, this surgery is not a substitute for breast implants, and it cannot increase your cup size. For that, you’d need to undergo surgery (breast augmentation and breast lift).
How To Prepare for Vampire Breast Lift?
Before arriving at the clinic, you need to make the following preparations for your vampire breast lift:
- Discontinue the intake of blood-thinning medications or any supplements.
- To prevent nausea and lightheadedness during your blood draw, arrive at your appointment with a full stomach.
- Make sure to wear loose-fitting clothes.
- Remove any piercing around the breasts or nipples.
- Do not apply anything to the body.
- Take a shower the night before or the morning of the vampire breast lift.
- Remove any jewellery that you’re wearing.
How Is Vampire Breast Lift Done?
Once you arrive at the clinic, the doctor will begin by applying a numbing cream to your breasts, which will take 30 minutes to take effect. During that, your PRP injections will be prepared.
For this, your blood will be drawn and put into a centrifuge machine. This will separate the different components of the blood. The pale-yellow-coloured platelets are separated and filled into an injection. This is then administered to different areas of the breast. The whole procedure takes less than an hour.
Some practitioners also combine microneedling with PRP. That’s because microneedling creates small punctures in the skin. And when the body tries to repair this damage, it produces collagen. So, with microneedling, you may be able to achieve an even better result. You can continue with routine activities afterwards as this treatment has no downtime.
What Are the Risks of Vampire Breast Lift?
You won’t feel any pain when you’re being given the PRP injections because of the numbing cream. However, you might feel some pain when your blood is being drawn for making the PRP injections. At the site of the injection, you might also experience the following:
- Mild pain
- Bruising
- Tenderness
This should resolve in a couple of days. Here, it should be noted that vampire breast lift is contraindicated for those who’re pregnant, breastfeeding or have a history of breast cancer. It is also not recommended for those who have a heart condition or bloodborne illness. It is not known what long-term effects PRP will have on the breast tissue. If you’re getting a mammogram, you should make sure to inform the lab about this procedure.
According to Charles Runels, the dermatologist who developed the vampire breast lift technique, the results will keep improving for 2-3 months. It will take some time for the body to start repairing the injured cells in the skin, so you won’t notice any change immediately after the surgery. Your breasts will appear fuller and firmer gradually in the months following the procedure.
How Long Does Vampire Breast Lift Last?
According to the official website of the vampire breast lift, the results of this procedure can last for 1 to 2 years. The metabolic rate can vary between people. It can depend on your age, gender, genetics, and lifestyle. Therefore, you may lose your results faster than other people. It will not permanently change the appearance of your breasts. These changes will be only temporary.
Is Vampire Breast Lift Effective?
Anecdotal evidence on vampire breast lift suggests that this technique works, but you should consult with a board-certified dermatologist. It’s important that you understand what you can achieve from this procedure and whether or not it can suitably meet your needs and expectations.
Keep in mind that a vampire breast lift cannot drastically enhance the volume of your breasts or change their shape. It can only make slight changes. Although it is a vampire breast “lift,” this treatment also won’t lift breasts that are heavily or even moderately sagging.
While it is claimed that this procedure can get rid of stretch marks on the breasts, correct inverted nipples or even increase their sensitivity, these may be over exaggerations. The collagen production can “fill up” the breasts slightly and make them look perkier, but the changes made by vampire breast lift are very subtle.
How Much Is A Vampire Breast Lift?
A vampire breast lift is a cosmetic procedure, so it will not be available on the NHS or your health insurance. You’ll have to get this treatment privately. Longevita’s London clinic offers the procedure at a starting price of £400.
Keep in mind that the prices can vary depending on the location of the clinic and the experience/expertise of the practitioner. It will also depend on the number of injections you need. Also, remember that the results of this treatment are temporary, so you’ll have to get it again.
Vampire Breast Lift vs Surgical Breast Lift: Which One Is Better?
Both vampire breast lift and surgical breast lift aim to make the breasts “perkier.” However, their results are significantly different from each other. It’s a good idea to take a look at the before and after photos of each procedure and compare them. It will give you an idea of which procedure will give you the results you are looking for. Here’s a summary of their differences.
| Vampire Breast Lift | Surgical Breast Lift | |
| Procedure | Blood from the patient is drawn to prepare the PRP injection, which is then injected into different areas of the breast | Incisions are made for the removal of the excess breast skin and tissue, and the nipple-areola complex is repositioned |
| Surgical time | Less than an hour | 2-3 hours |
| Good candidates | For people who slightly want to make their breasts appear fuller | For people who have sagging, pendulous breasts and for those who’re experiencing different aches and pains and skin infections because of hanging skin |
| Cost | £400 (can vary depending on the number of injections/treatments you need) | From £3,000 to £7,000 in the UK, but starts from £1,700 in Turkey |
| Side Effects | Bruising, tenderness and redness at the injection site; long-term effects are unknown | Swelling, bruising, soreness, changes in sensitivity of nipples, and scarring |
| Recovery | No downtime | 1-2 weeks |
| Results | Can be seen after 2-3 months and may last for as long as 2 years | Permanent and you will notice change immediately after surgery, but final results can be seen after 3-4 months once the post-op swelling subsides |
It is important that you discuss your aesthetic requirement, medical history and expectations with the doctor before deciding to undergo any treatment. Your practitioner will guide you on the treatment that will best suit you based on your needs. Keep in mind that a vampire breast lift is not a non-surgical alternative to surgical breast lift or augmentation surgery.
Concluding Remarks
A vampire breast lift can increase the volume of your breasts to a certain extent. The results won’t be as dramatic as with breast augmentation or uplift surgery, but you can enhance the appearance of your cleavage with VBL.
Many women are looking to make subtle changes to the appearance of their breasts. A vampire breast lift is a suitable option in that regard. There’s no downtime of the procedure. You won’t have to go through long, tiresome, and discomforting recovery periods. The minimum side effects that you might experience will go away after a few days.
In any case, make sure to discuss the long-term effects of the treatment with your surgeon. Being temporary, you can also discuss how many times you can get the procedure. The results usually don’t last for more than two years. It’s important to be clear on the goals of the treatment, so that you get the procedure that will best meet your needs. Discuss this with your doctor beforehand, and it’s a good idea to take a look at the before and after pictures of patients.
