Although the facial makes use of one’s own blood, there are certain factors which a practitioner must be aware of beforehand, so as to determine whether or not treatment may safely go ahead. In some instances, a practitioner may advise against a vampire facial due to increased risk factors that can be foreseen as problematic. In a normal, healthy individual however, risk factors for this facial are low.
The following health-related factors may not make a person a candidate for treatment:
- Having an active infection
- Existing autoimmune conditions, diabetes, or cancer (including skin cancer)
- Open wounds and or/ signs of poor wound healing
- Low platelet counts
- A tendency to develop keloids / raised scars (Keloidosis)
- Pregnancy
- Taking anticoagulants (blood thinning medications)
In some instances, factors which may not make a person suitable for treatment, are temporary. A woman may consider a facial after her pregnancy, at a time when it is medically deemed safe to do so.
Those who can safely discontinue blood thinning medications for a short period of time may then consider treatment when it is deemed medically safe. Those with injuries and infections that have cleared, can also be reassessed for treatment.
A tendency to developed raised or dome-shaped scars (keloids) may not make a person an ideal candidate. A practitioner will assess a person with scarring sensitivity cautiously so as to determine whether or not he or she is at higher risk of experiencing scarring following treatment.