A former New Mexico spa that was previously under investigation for potentially exposing its clients to HIV through “vampire facials” has been linked to at least three cases, the Centers said Thursday for Disease Control (CDC) of the United States.
In July of last year, the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) advised former clients of VIP Beauty Salon and Spa (VIP Spa), located in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico, to to be tested after confirmation of a first case of HIV.
According to the Department of Health at the time, clients who received “injection-related services,” including a vampire facial or Botox injections, may have been exposed to a blood-borne disease.
Although the salon was closed on September 7, 2018, following a state inspection, testing on 100 former clients continued into 2019 after investigators found the salon’s practices could potentially spread blood-borne infections, such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis. vs.
During initial testing in 2019, it was determined that two cases of HIV could be linked to procedures provided at the spa.
HIV at New Mexico Spa:New HIV case linked to ‘vampire facial’ at old spa, New Mexico Department of Health says
Five patients identified, three linked to ‘vampire facials’
The Ministry of Health’s Bureau of Infectious Diseases then received a report in 2023 linking another case of HIV to the injection services offered by the company. The case specifically dates back to a treatment offered by the spa, known as the “vampire facial” or “PRP facial,” which combined microneedling and topical application of plasma taken from the client’s blood.
The DOH opened free testing sites following this revelation. In 2023, five HIV-positive patients were identified, including four women who received spa treatments and one man who was the sexual partner of one of the four patients, the CDC said.
All four patients had received at least one PRP with microneedling at the spa. Two of the patients had more advanced infections, indicating that their cases were likely the result of exposure before receiving treatment at the spa. The other three patients had no other known HIV risk factors, no known social contact between them, and no specific mechanism of transmission between these patients was confirmed, the CDC said.
“Evidence suggests that contamination from an undetermined source at the spa in the spring and summer of 2018 resulted in the transmission of HIV-1 to these three patients,” it concludes.
In total, the investigative team identified 59 guests at risk of exposure and tested 198 spa guests and their sexual partners between 2018 and 2023. Fortunately, no additional HIV infections were identified, nor any infections by hepatitis B or hepatitis C. However, free testing is still available as the investigation continues.
Unlabeled blood and used needles found at spa
The CDC noted that while HIV transmission via unsterile needles and injection practices is a well-known risk, transmission through cosmetic injection services via contaminated blood has not previously been documented, which making this the first investigation linking HIV transmission to non-sterile cosmetic injection services.
Analysis of the evidence suggests that HIV transmission most likely occurred via receipt of PRP with microneedling or “vampire facial” procedures in particular, although the source of contamination remains unknown. The CDC believes transmission can be attributed to poor infection control practices found at the spa during the fall 2018 inspection.
These conditions discovered by inspectors included tubes of unlabeled blood and medical injectables stored in the kitchen refrigerator with food; unwrapped syringes in drawers, on counters and thrown into regular trash; unlabeled tubes of blood sitting on a kitchen counter next to a centrifuge and heated dry bath; and improper cleaning practices, including lack of required tools, equipment and sterilization chemicals.
Free testing remains available to former spa guests, and the investigation and public health response continues, the CDC said.
What is a “vampire facial”?
A vampire facial or PRP facial is a procedure to rejuvenate the skin using your own blood. This involves using plasma and platelets from your blood applied to your face via microneedling or regular injections.
A traditional vampire facial begins with a provider drawing a small amount of your blood, spinning it in a centrifuge to extract the protein-rich plasma, extracting the platelets, then concentrating the sample to create protein-rich plasma. platelets (PRP).
This can then be applied topically to the face, followed by microneedling or using many small sterile needles to create superficial punctures in the skin. The procedure benefits the skin by promoting cell turnover, increasing collagen and elastin production, and creating a smoother, younger, firmer appearance.
Patients with deeper wrinkles, loss of volume, or other skin concerns may opt for a vampire facelift or a PRP facelift, which uses the same PRP in tandem with dermal fillers injected directly into the face.
Individuals considering these procedures are advised to seek out an experienced, board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to consult and perform the treatment. When not performed by a licensed provider in a properly sterilized environment, PRP treatments can easily pose a serious health risk.
