Three women infected with HIV after getting 'vampire facials' at unlicensed spa

Three women have been infected HIV while having a cosmetic procedure known as 'vampire facial' at an unlicensed spa.

Vampire facials, also known as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments, are a cosmetic procedure considered a more affordable and less invasive option than a facelift.

But a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) unveiled dangers associated with the treatment, exposing the cases of three women who contracted HIV after receiving vampire facials at VIP Spa, an unlicensed facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The report stated that it is the first time HIV transmission is associated with non sterile cosmetic injection services. The investigation began after several people, with no known risk factors for HIV, tested positive for the virus following vampire facials at the now-defunct spa.

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Investigators recorded unsanitary conditions at the spa, including unlabeled blood tubes and improper storage of injectables alongside food items. "In fall 2018, on-site inspection of [VIP Spa] revealed multiple unsafe infection control practices," the CDC said. "A centrifuge, a heating dry bath, and a rack of unlabeled tubes containing blood were located on a kitchen counter."

Investigators added: "Unlabeled tubes of blood and medical injectables (i.e., botox and lidocaine) were stored in the kitchen refrigerator along with food. Unwrapped syringes were found in drawers, on counters, and discarded in regular trash cans.

"An autoclave (steam steriliser) was not found on the premises. Procedure equipment was surface cleaned using ammonium chloride disinfecting spray and benzalkonium chloride disinfecting wipes after each client visit, and disposable electric desiccator tips were cleaned by alcohol immersion and reused."

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The owner of the VIP Spa, Maria Ramos de Ruiz, pleaded guilty to practising medicine without a licence in 2022 and was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison.

Vampire facials involve drawing blood from a person's arm, separating out the platelets, and then injecting them into the patient's face skin using microneedles. Promoters claim this can reduce pore size, diminish fine lines, and rejuvenate the skin.

Celebrities have previously popularised vampire facials. Back in 2013, Kim Kardashian had shared photos of her blood-smeared face on Instagram after undergoing the treatment but even she has since spoken out against the procedure.

HIV awareness advocates say that the cases show how HIV remains a reality even as it fades from the public eye, and that anyone could be infected. Dafina Ward, executive director of the Southern AIDS Coalition told the Washington Post: "People need to understand it’s not just certain types of people who contract HIV. It’s not, 'Well, that can’t happen to me. I’m just going to get a facial, and I’m not one of ‘those people'. It’s not a 'those people' disease. And that is the stigma we are working to eradicate."

In a separate investigation, the CDC is currently looking into an 11-state outbreak of botulism linked to counterfeit versions of Botox administered outside of healthcare settings.