According to a recent investigation, a “vampire facial” can pose a major health risk if performed in filthy settings.
That was the case for three women who most likely contracted HIV while receiving vampire facials at an unlicensed spa in New Mexico, marking the first known cases of the virus being transmitted during a cosmetic injection procedure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s findings published Thursday.
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According to one skin clinic, a vampire facial involves drawing blood from the patient’s arm, separating platelets, and applying them to the patient’s face with microneedles. Proponents of the therapy, also known as platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, claim that it can minimize pore size and fine lines while also renewing the skin.
However, the CDC research suggests that vampire facials at the now-closed institution likely infected several people without known risk factors for HIV.
“This investigation is the first to associate HIV transmission with nonsterile cosmetic injection services,” the statement said.
After one spa guest tested positive for HIV while traveling abroad in 2018, state health regulators investigated the institution. According to the CDC report, another spa guest tested positive for HIV during routine life insurance tests in 2018, and a third discovered her HIV after hospitalizing for an AIDS-related illness a year earlier.
Unlabeled tubes of blood
The CDC’s description of the incidents highlights the dangers associated with using unlicensed spa facilities.
In 2018, the VIP Spa in Albuquerque was shut down by the New Mexico Department of Health due to practices that could potentially transmit blood-borne infections, including HIV, to clients. The spa was not named in the CDC report, but state inspectors discovered unlabeled tubes of blood on a kitchen counter, as well as other injectables stored alongside food in the kitchen’s refrigerator.
Maria Ramos de Ruiz, the former owner of VIP Spa, admitted her guilt in June 2022. She pleaded guilty to five felony charges for practicing medicine without a license. As a result, she has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison.
Kim Kardashian, a well-known celebrity, had the cosmetic procedure done in 2013, and even shared a photo of her bloodied face afterward. However, she has now expressed her opposition to the procedure.
If you’re considering getting injections for medical or cosmetic purposes, it’s important to make sure that the provider, clinic, or spa you choose is licensed and properly trained. Additionally, you should inquire about whether the products they use are FDA approved and obtained from a reputable source. The CDC also recommends using a look-up tool available in certain states to verify licensing information.
According to the CDC, it is important to implement proper infection control practices in spa facilities that provide cosmetic injection services. This is crucial in order to prevent the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne pathogens.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently investigating a widespread outbreak of botulism across 11 states. The outbreak has been linked to the use of counterfeit versions of Botox, which have been administered in non-healthcare settings such as homes or spas.
