Three women were diagnosed with HIV after receiving “vampire facials” at an unlicensed medical spa in New Mexico, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report last week. the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through cosmetic services that use needles.
Federal health officials said in a new report that a 2018 through 2023 investigation into Albuquerque clinic VIP Spa found that it apparently reused disposable equipment intended for one-time use, transmitting HIV to clients through contaminated blood through its services transferred.
WHAT IS A VAMPI RE FACE? IS IT SAFE?
Vampire facials, formally known as platelet-rich plasma microneedling facials, are cosmetic procedures intended to rejuvenate the skin, make it look more youthful and reduce acne scars and wrinkles, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
After a client's blood is drawn, a machine separates the blood into platelets and cells.
The plasma is then injected into the client's face either via sterile single-use disposable needles or via sterile multi-use needles.
Vampire facials have gained popularity in recent years, as celebrities like Kim Kardashian have gone public with having the procedure done.
HIV transmission through non-sterile injection is a known risk at beauty treatments and other services, officials say.
Despite this, the Academy says vampire facials are generally safe.
Health officials say spa facilities offering cosmetic injection services must practice good infection control and maintain customer records to help prevent the transmission of blood-borne pathogens such as HIV.
HOW WERE THE HIV CASES RELATED TO THE SPA?
The New Mexico Department of Health was notified in the summer of 2018 that a woman with no known HIV risk factors had been diagnosed with HIV infection after receiving the spa's vampire facials that spring.
Four women – former spa clients – and one man – the sexual partner of one of the spa clients but who did not receive any services at the spa himself – were diagnosed with an HIV infection there in the period 2018-2023. Analysis showed similar HIV strains in all cases, according to last week's CDC report.
The HIV diagnoses in two of these patients “were likely attributed to exposure prior to receipt of cosmetic injection services,” the CDC said.
There was evidence that contamination from services at the spa resulted in the positive HIV infection tests for the other three patients.
Health officials found equipment with blood on a counter, unlabeled blood tubes and injectables in the refrigerator alongside food and unwrapped syringes that were not properly disposed of. The CDC report said no steam sterilizer, known as an autoclave, — which is needed for cleaning equipment that is being reused — was found in the spa.
Are there other patients at risk?
Through the New Mexico Department of Health study, nearly 200 former spa customers and their sexual partners were tested for HIV, and no further infections were found.
According to the CDC, free testing remains available for those who previously visited the spa.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SPA OWNER?
The former owner of VIP Spa, Maria de Lourdes Ramos de Ruiz, pleaded guilty in 2022 to five felonies for practicing medicine without a license, including performing vampire facials without a license.
The New Mexico Attorney General's Office said Ramos de Ruiz also performed illegal plasma and Botox injection procedures.
According to prosecutorsInspections by the state health and regulatory and licensing departments found code violations, and the spa was closed in the fall of 2018 after the investigation began.
Ramos de Ruiz was sentenced to 7 1/2 years, including four years of supervised probation, 3 1/2 years in prison and parole, according to court documents.
Raul A. Lopez, attorney for Ramos de Ruiz, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Alexa St. John is an Associated Press climate solutions reporter. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @alexa_stjohn. Reach her at ast.john@ap.org.
