Albuquerque, New Mexico – Three women who underwent a vampire facial procedure at a spa in Albuquerque have been infected with HIV, marking the first cases of the virus being transmitted through a cosmetic injection, according to a report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The popular vampire facial involves drawing a person’s blood, separating out the platelets, and applying them to the face using microneedles for rejuvenation. Regrettably, the unsanitary conditions at the now-closed facility led to the HIV contamination, as per the CDC report.
The investigation into the VIP Spa in Albuquerque began in 2018 when the first case linked to the facility was discovered, prompting the New Mexico Department of Health to offer free testing to all individuals who received injections there. The spa was shut down due to practices that could potentially spread blood-borne infections.
Details revealed in the CDC report shed light on the affected clients and the spa’s negligent practices. The first case involved a middle-aged woman with no history of risk factors for HIV except for having undergone a vampire facial at the spa in 2018. Subsequently, two more middle-aged women who received the same treatment also tested positive for the virus.
The CDC found that the spa lacked the appropriate licenses and safety measures. Moreover, unlabeled blood tubes were found on the kitchen counter along with injectables stored alongside food in the refrigerator. The owner pleaded guilty to practising medicine without a license and was sentenced to prison.
In total, 59 spa clients were potentially exposed to HIV, with 20 of them having received vampire facials. Despite extensive investigations, the original source of the HIV contamination at the spa remains unknown.
The CDC urges individuals seeking injections for medical or cosmetic purposes to verify the provider’s credentials, clinic or spa licenses, and FDA approval of products used. Taking precautions and ensuring proper safety measures are crucial in preventing such incidents from reoccurring.