A shocking medical case has prompted urgent warnings from UK health professionals after a woman was left with a gaping hole in her scalp following a popular cosmetic procedure often dubbed the 'vampire facelift'.
The Procedure Gone Wrong
The patient underwent a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment, where blood is drawn from the patient, processed to concentrate the platelets, and then reinjected into the scalp and face to promote collagen production and hair growth. However, instead of rejuvenation, she developed severe complications.
Medical Nightmare Unfolds
Doctors documented that the woman developed necrosis – the death of body tissue – leading to a significant lesion on her scalp that exposed the bone beneath. This severe reaction required extensive medical intervention and highlights the potential dangers of minimally regulated cosmetic treatments.
Expert Warnings Issued
Medical professionals are using this case to emphasise that while PRP therapy is widely marketed for its anti-ageing and hair restoration benefits, it is not without serious risks. Complications can include:
- Infection at the injection site
- Nerve damage
- Vascular injuries
- Tissue death (necrosis)
- Scarring
The case report stresses that these procedures should only be performed by appropriately qualified medical practitioners in a clinical setting, not in beauty salons by unregulated technicians.
Call for Tighter Regulations
This alarming incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter oversight of the cosmetic industry in the UK. Experts argue that many treatments occupying a grey area between medicine and beauty often evade the rigorous standards applied to medical procedures, putting the public at risk.
Potential patients are urged to thoroughly research practitioners, ensure they are medically qualified, and fully understand the potential risks before undergoing any injectable cosmetic treatment.
