New Mexico Spa Linked to New HIV Case Years After Closure
A new case of HIV has been connected to a “vampire facial” at a spa in New Mexico, despite the business closing years ago, according to state health officials. The New Mexico Department of Health reported that the patient’s only self-reported HIV risk exposure was a vampire facial they received at VIP Spa in Albuquerque in 2018.
The spa client tested positive for HIV in 2023, but the spa had closed in September 2018 after state inspectors identified practices that could potentially spread blood-borne infections, including HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. During the initial investigation, two other clients had also tested positive for HIV.
A vampire facial involves drawing a patient’s blood and then injecting components of the blood back into the face using micro needles. The procedure is said to reduce pore size and help with fine lines to rejuvenate the skin.
The health department is now urging former clients who had any type of injection-related service, including vampire facials or Botox injections at VIP Spa, to get tested for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. While more than 100 former clients were tested in 2018 and 2019 as part of the initial investigation, health officials are recommending that former VIP clients be retested, even if they initially tested negative.
Dr. Laura Parajon, deputy secretary for the health department, emphasized the importance of spreading the word and reminding people who received any kind of injection-related services at VIP Spa to come in for free and confidential testing.
Since the announcement, the health department has identified additional HIV infections with a “direct or indirect connection with services provided” at VIP Spa. However, the department has not disclosed the number of people who tested positive for HIV or specified what qualifies as an indirect connection.
Vampire facials gained popularity after Kim Kardashian posted an Instagram photo of herself undergoing the facial in 2013 at a different spa facility. However, Kardashian has since come out against the procedure.
In June 2022, former VIP Spa owner Maria Ramos de Ruiz pleaded guilty to five felony counts of practicing medicine without a license. She was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of proper hygiene and safety practices in the beauty and wellness industry. Health officials are urging anyone who may have been affected by the vampire facial or other injection-related services at VIP Spa to get tested and seek appropriate medical care.
What are the potential risks and dangers associated with undergoing a vampire facial procedure involving the use of a person’s own blood?
Ng a person’s own blood, processing it, and then injecting it back into their face using micro-needling. The procedure gained popularity after celebrities like Kim Kardashian shared photos of themselves undergoing the treatment.
Health officials are now conducting an investigation to determine how the patient contracted HIV, despite the spa being closed for several years. It is possible that the infection occurred from a non-sanitized tool or improper storage and handling of blood products at the spa.
The New Mexico Department of Health is urging anyone who received a vampire facial at VIP Spa between May and September 2018 to get tested for HIV and other blood-borne infections. They are also advising people to always go to licensed and reputable establishments for any cosmetic procedures involving blood or needles to ensure their safety.
This new case highlights the importance of proper hygiene and safety measures in the beauty industry. It serves as a reminder for both customers and practitioners to prioritize health and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of infections.
