Facial Fillers: Natural Botox Alternative Said To Erase Wrinkles Without Chemicals

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- In what might seem like a page out of the "Twilight" series, people looking to erase fine lines and wrinkles can undergo a procedure that uses patient's own blood to reverse visible signs of aging.

The procedure, called Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP, is an alternative to other popular, chemical-intensive skin fillers such as Botox and Juvederm.

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30-something Lupe Ramos said that she began to look at different cosmetic fillers when she noticed some frown lines developing on her face.

"I'm starting to get the frown lines, and, you know, I call them thinking marks. So I think I'm ready for a change," Ramos told TV 10-55's Katie McGee.

But Ramos was not ready to inject potentially harmful chemicals into her body.

So to stop those wrinkles in their tracks, Ramos chose PRP.

"I'm pretty much all about natural and organic," she said. "And why not try this? This is also the new phase of the vampires."

Dr. Lisa Zdinak, chief surgeon at Precision Aesthetics, says the treatment capitalizes on  the natural properties of blood to help individuals draw from their own, natural fountain of youth.

"The blood that we have in our bodies is a wealth of molecules and special proteins that are meant to be used in times of need to provide nutrients to the cells," she explained.

She also said the procedure was pretty simple.

After collecting a couple of tubes a blood from the patient, the blood is spun in a machine called a centrifuge, causing it to separate into three layers.

"The top layer is what we're interested in. That's called the plasma. And in the plasma, there are special cells called platelets," Zdinak said. "By reintroducing the plasma portion into the skin, you're activating all of the skin cells that have been lying dormant for a while."

The plasma can be reintroduced as a spot filler or as a full-face treatment, rejuvenating skin and erasing wrinkles.

When used as a filler, Zdinak transforms the liquid plasma mixture into a gelatinous state in order to more fully fill up specifically targeted problem areas.

Full-face treatments, the more traditional use of PRP, requires the injection of the plasma in its natural state, just under the patient's skin. This naturally stimulates stem cells and reactivates collagen production to give skin a more youthful, plump look.

"You're waking up the cells that are there already, and recruiting new cells to come to the area and make fresher, younger skin," Zdinak said of the procedure.

After the procedure, results are immediate. With PRP, skin continues to get smoother over time, with results lasting up to a year.

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But Zdinak says the cost can be steep. The average cost of the treatment ranges from $900 to $1,200, depending on how much blood is extracted and used.

But for those looking for a natural way to fill in wrinkles, the price tag is worth it.

Ramos says the treatment has worked wonders for her skin.

"I love it! I feel like I'm 18!"

Does this treatment sound appealing, or does it freak you out? Share your comments below...