"Vampire facials" at unlicensed spa infected 3 with HIV, CDC says

A cosmetic process known arsenic a "vampire facial" is considered to beryllium a much affordable and little invasive action than getting a facelift, but nan process tin beryllium a superior wellness hazard if done successful unsanitary conditions, according to a caller report.

That proved to beryllium nan lawsuit for 3 women who apt contracted HIV from receiving vampire facials astatine an unlicensed spa successful New Mexico, making nan first known cases of nan microorganism being transmitted during a cosmetic injection procedure, according to the findings published Thursday by nan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

During a vampire facial, a person's humor is drawn from their arm, and past platelets are separated retired and applied to nan patient's look utilizing microneedles, according to 1 tegument clinic. The procedure, besides called platelet-rich plasma, aliases PRP, is touted by proponents arsenic helping to trim pore size and good lines arsenic good arsenic rejuvenating nan skin. 

But aggregate group pinch nary known consequence factors for HIV were apt infected pinch nan microorganism done vampire facials astatine nan since-closed facility, nan CDC study said. 

"This investigation is nan first to subordinate HIV transmission pinch nonsterile cosmetic injection services," it stated.

The installation drew nan attraction of authorities wellness officials aft 1 spa customer tested affirmative for HIV while walking overseas successful 2018. Another tested affirmative for HIV during regular tests for life security successful 2018, while a 3rd did not find retired she had HIV until a twelvemonth ago, erstwhile hospitalized pinch an AIDS-related illness, nan CDC study relayed. 

Unlabeled tubes of blood

The incidents described by nan CDC bespeak nan risks of patronizing unlicensed spa facilities.

While nan CDC study didn't sanction nan unlicensed spa, nan New Mexico Department of Health successful 2018 had shut down nan VIP Spa successful Albuquerque after authorities inspectors recovered practices that could perchance dispersed blood-borne infections, including HIV, to clients. That included unlabeled tubes of humor connected a room antagonistic arsenic good arsenic different injectables stored on pinch nutrient successful nan kitchen's refrigerator. 

Former VIP Spa owner Maria Ramos de Ruiz pleaded blameworthy successful June of 2022 to 5 felony counts of practicing medicine without a license, CBS connection KRQE reported. She was sentenced to three-and-a-half years successful prison. 

Those who person had nan cosmetic process see Kim Kardashian, who posted an image of her bloody face aft undergoing nan process successful 2013. She has since travel retired against nan procedure.

People considering injections for aesculapian aliases cosmetic reasons are urged to inquire whether a provider, session aliases spa is licensed and trained, and if immoderate products progressive are FDA approved and purchased from a reliable source. Some states person a look-up instrumentality that tin beryllium utilized to cheque connected licensing, according to nan CDC.

Requiring capable infection power practices astatine spa accommodation offering cosmetic injection services tin thief forestall nan transmission of HIV and different blood-borne pathogens, nan CDC stated successful its report. 

The CDC is separately investigating an 11-state outbreak of botulism linked to counterfeit versions of Botox administered successful non-healthcare settings for illustration homes aliases spas.