Three Women Likely Contracted HIV From ‘Vampire Facials’ At Unlicensed Spa In New Mexico: CDC

What was supposed to be a normal and refreshing spa sessions for three women, turned out to be a complete nightmare and also their biggest regret.

Three women have recently been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to have likely contracted HIV after undergoing “ vampire facials ” at a spa in New Mexico. The recent CDC investigation revealed that one woman in her 40s tested positive for HIV in 2018 after undergoing a platelet-rich plasma microneedling procedure at the unlicensed spa. Another individual discovered their HIV-positive status in 2019 during routine life insurance tests, while a third woman only learned of her HIV diagnosis after being hospitalized with an AIDS-related illness just last year.

The CDC stated, “This investigation identified an HIV cluster associated with receipt of cosmetic injection services at an unlicensed facility that did not follow recommended infection control procedures or maintain client records.”

This alarming discovery now marks the first known cases of HIV transmission during a non-sterile cosmetic injection procedure.

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What is A Vampire Facial?

For those who don’t know, the “vampire facial,” also known as platelet-rich plasma therapy, involves drawing blood from the arm, separating platelets from the rest of the blood, and reinjecting the platelet-rich plasma into the skin. This procedure is popular for its purported rejuvenating effects and is considered a more affordable and less invasive alternative to traditional facelifts.

Many A-list celebrities like Kim Kardashian have popularized the vampire facial by sharing their experiences, but concerns about its safety have been raised.

Although the CDC report did not disclose the name of the spa, (it referenced as “Spa A,”) a spa in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was previously associated with multiple new HIV cases. The New Mexico Department of Health contacted former clients of the spa, warning them of potential risks of HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C infections.

The spa in question, VIP Beauty Salon and Spa, was shut down in 2018 following concerns raised by a multi-state agency about practices that could lead to the spread of blood-borne infections.

In that case, the spa’s owner, Maria Ramos De Ruiz, pleaded guilty in June 2022, to five felony counts of practicing medicine without a license, according to KRQE. She was handed down three-and-a-half years in prison.

“Although the investigative team was not permitted to collect specimens from spa A, evidence from this investigation supports the likely transmission of HIV through poor infection control practices,” CDC said about their latest investigation.

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