Eternal youth… One of the most sought after goals in life for as long as can be remembered. The fear of aging, or at least looking old, has worried many of us and continues to make people anxious today in our seemingly narcissistic society. The myth of eternal youth has been perpetuated throughout the ages with stories about the fountain of youth and Ambrosia, the nectar drink of Zeus and the Gods at Mount Olympus, claiming to prevent decay and give immortality.

Coming back to reality, the closest thing we have to a youthfulness sustaining substance, is Botox – which will remove wrinkles for a year or so. However, a new, natural alternative to Botox has been discovered. Brace yourself for this one… it is human blood!

Now, no one is suggesting that we follow in the footsteps of the ever so blood thirsty Elizabeth Bathory, the Hungarian “Blood Countess” of the 16th Century, who believing that bathing in the blood of virgin women would have skin rejuvenating qualities.

This new face-lift procedure uses your own blood, no chemicals are added and no artificial infusions are involved. It is an all-natural organic product that is derived from your own body. So while Elizabeth Bathory may have found the key ingredient to looking young, she just did not have the medical expertise or, for that matter, the moral conscience to use it correctly.

So, is injecting your own blood into your face any different than Botox, you might ask? For starters, the blood that is injected into your face not only improves your appearance, but it also makes you physiologically younger.

The procedure is trademarked "Selphyl", or better known in the US as "Vampire Treatment". While the procedure is somewhat controversial and has left many plastic surgeons and dermatologists questioning this medical practice, it should be noted that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved it. The procedure is not all that complicated; first, blood is drawn from the patient and then using a patented procedure it is separated into platelets, plasma and fibrin. The resulting Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix (PRFM) is what is used to rejuvenate the skin by injecting it into the patient. It can be used on the face as well as other areas of the body.

"Platelets are known to contain factors which your body uses to trigger cell migration and proliferation to rejuvenate and increase skin volume. You can’t turn back the clock, but you can re-wind it naturally…"

The treatment is available in Australia, one practitioner in WA is Marion Fubock who says that the process of taking a patient’s blood from their arm, splitting the red blood cells from the plasma and then injecting the platelet rich plasma into the face or areas where treatment is desired can be very successful. However, the vampire treatment is not only used just for aesthetic purposes along, it could also be used to heal scars and stretch marks.

This is not the first time that blood has been used for its healing qualities. Tiger Woods, the world-renowned golf player, was treated with a very similar procedure for his knee injury. This certainly highlights the untapped potential of organic medicine. And what can be more organic than your own blood?

But the million-dollar question is: Will Australians put their faith into their own blood for a younger and healthier looking skin? It is organic, chemical free and the key ingredient is literally within you.

Written by Sultan Al-Mutawa

Image Credit: ptrktn via Flickr Creative Commons.

ED: Here's link Craig (in comments) found…