Three Women Diagnosed with HIV Following “Vampire Facial” Procedures at New Mexico Spa
In a shocking turn of events, three women have been diagnosed with HIV after receiving “vampire facial” treatments at an unlicensed medical spa in New Mexico. The spa in question, VIP Spa, was found to have reused disposable equipment meant for one-time use, potentially exposing clients to contaminated blood.
Vampire facials, also known as platelet-rich plasma microneedling facials, have gained popularity in recent years. The procedure involves drawing blood, separating platelets, and injecting them back into the face. However, health officials warn that proper infection control measures must be taken to prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens.
The investigation further revealed that the strains of HIV found among the three women were similar, indicating that contamination from services at the spa led to the positive test results. Nearly 200 former clients of the spa and their sexual partners were tested for HIV, but no additional infections were found.
The former owner of VIP Spa, Maria de Lourdes Ramos de Ruiz, pleaded guilty to practicing medicine without a license and conducting unlicensed vampire facials, among other procedures. The spa was closed in fall 2018 after code violations were uncovered, and Ramos de Ruiz was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison.
It’s important to note that while platelet-rich plasma injections have medical uses, their use for cosmetic purposes, like vampire facials, is not FDA-approved. Health officials urge anyone considering such procedures to do their research and ensure proper safety measures are in place to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
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