Albuquerque, New Mexico – A spa in downtown Albuquerque, previously investigated for potential exposure to HIV through “vampire facials,” has been linked to at least three cases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Thursday.
Following an initial HIV case confirmed in July last year, the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) urged former clients of VIP Beauty Salon and Spa to get tested. The DOH warned that customers who received injection-related services, such as vampire facials or Botox injections, may have been at risk of blood-borne illnesses.
Despite the salon’s closure in September 2018 after state inspection, testing among 100 former clients continued through 2019 as investigations revealed practices that could have potentially spread blood-borne infections like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
Subsequent testing in 2019 revealed two HIV cases linked to procedures at the spa. Additionally, a report in 2023 associated another HIV case with injection services, specifically tied to the “vampire facial” or “PRP facial” treatment offered by the spa.
The DOH opened free testing sites following these developments, identifying five HIV patients in 2023 – four women who received treatments at the spa and one man who was a sexual partner of one of these patients, according to the CDC.
Investigations found that poor infection control practices at the spa during a 2018 inspection likely contributed to HIV transmission to the three patients. Further analysis revealed evidence of unlabeled blood, used needles, and improper cleaning practices, underscoring the need for safe and sterile procedures in cosmetic treatments.
The CDC highlighted the significance of this investigation, noting that while HIV transmission via unsterile needles is known, transmission through contaminated blood in cosmetic services had not been documented before. The source of contamination remains unknown, with recommendations for former clients to undergo testing and ongoing investigation by health authorities.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and regulation of cosmetic procedures like the vampire facial, emphasizing the importance of seeking treatment from experienced and licensed providers in properly sterilized environments. The investigation serves as a cautionary tale for the potential risks associated with non-sterile cosmetic injection services.