"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 enactment than getting a facelift, but the process tin beryllium a superior wellness hazard if done successful unsanitary conditions, according to a caller report.

That proved to beryllium the lawsuit for 3 women who apt contracted HIV from receiving vampire facials astatine an unlicensed spa successful New Mexico, making the archetypal known cases of the microorganism being transmitted during a cosmetic injection procedure, according to the findings published Thursday by the 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 the patient's look utilizing microneedles, according to 1 tegument clinic. The procedure, besides called platelet-rich plasma, oregon PRP, is touted by proponents arsenic helping to trim pore size and good lines arsenic good arsenic rejuvenating the skin. 

But aggregate radical with nary known hazard factors for HIV were apt infected with the microorganism done vampire facials astatine the since-closed facility, the CDC study said. 

"This probe is the archetypal to subordinate HIV transmission with nonsterile cosmetic injection services," it stated.

The installation drew the attraction of authorities wellness officials aft 1 spa lawsuit tested affirmative for HIV portion traveling overseas successful 2018. Another tested affirmative for HIV during regular tests for beingness security successful 2018, portion a 3rd did not find retired she had HIV until a twelvemonth ago, erstwhile hospitalized with an AIDS-related illness, the CDC study relayed. 

Unlabeled tubes of blood

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

While the CDC study didn't sanction the unlicensed spa, the New Mexico Department of Health successful 2018 had shut down the 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 with nutrient successful the 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 affiliate KRQE reported. She was sentenced to three-and-a-half years successful prison. 

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

People considering injections for aesculapian oregon cosmetic reasons are urged to inquire whether a provider, session oregon 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 the CDC.

Requiring capable corruption power practices astatine spa facilities offering cosmetic injection services tin assistance forestall the transmission of HIV and different blood-borne pathogens, the 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 similar homes oregon spas.