Noah McCrory
A cosmetic process known as a “vampire facial” is considered a more affordable and less invasive option than a facelift, but the process can pose a serious health risk if performed in unsanitary conditions, according to a new report.
That was the case for three women who likely contracted HIV while receiving vampire facials at an unlicensed spa in New Mexico, making it the first known cases of virus transmission during a cosmetic injection procedure, according to the discoveries published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
During a vampire facial, a person’s blood is drawn from the arm and then the platelets are separated and applied to the patient’s face using microneedles, according to to a skin clinic. The procedure, also called platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is touted by proponents for helping to reduce pore size and fine lines, as well as rejuvenating the skin.
But several people with no known risk factors for HIV were likely infected with the virus through vampire facials at the since-closed facilities, the CDC report said.
“This research is the first to link HIV transmission to non-sterile cosmetic injection services,” he said.
The facility caught the attention of state health officials after a spa client tested positive for HIV while traveling abroad in 2018. Another tested positive for HIV during routine life insurance testing in 2018, while a third only discovered that he had HIV a year later. ago, when hospitalized with an AIDS-related illness, he relayed the CDC report.
Unlabeled blood tubes
The incidents described by the CDC indicate the risks of frequenting unlicensed spa facilities.
Although the CDC report did not name the unlicensed spa, the New Mexico Department of Health in 2018 close the VIP Spa in Albuquerque after state inspectors discovered practices that could potentially transmit blood-borne infections, including HIV, to customers. This included unlabeled tubes of blood on a kitchen counter, as well as other injectables stored with food in the kitchen refrigerator.
Former owner of VIP Spa Maria Ramos de Ruiz pleaded guilty in June 2022 to five felony counts of practicing medicine without a license, CBS affiliate KRQE reported. She was sentenced to 3 and a half years in prison.
Those who have had the cosmetic procedure include Kim Kardashian, who posted an image of his bloodied face after going through the process in 2013. Since then, she has spoken out against the procedure.
People considering injections for medical or cosmetic reasons should ask whether a provider, clinic or spa is licensed and trained and whether any products involved are FDA approved and purchased from a reputable source. Some states have a lookup tool that can be used to check licensure, according to the CDC.
Requiring proper infection control practices at spa facilities that offer cosmetic injection services can help prevent the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne pathogens, the CDC said in its report.
The CDC is separately investigating an outbreak of botulism linked to counterfeit versions of Botox administered in non-healthcare settings, such as homes or spas.
