A recent investigation into a beauty spa’s unregulated practice of “vampire facials” reveals a potential link to five cases of HIV. How could this have happened?
In 2018, a beauty spa in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was shut down following an investigation by the state health department into the facility’s unregulated practice of so called vampire facials. Now, a report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has unveiled five suspected cases of HIV linked to unsanitary procedures conducted at the spa by its unlicensed operator.
Vampire facials, also known as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, involve extracting a small amount of blood from the patient and isolating the plasma, which is rich in platelets, growth factors, and other beneficial proteins. Once isolated, this plasma is reintroduced through microneedling into various areas of the skin such as the scalp, cheeks, and brow.
While scientific evidence supporting the benefits of this procedure is scant, it is claimed that the concentration of platelets speeds up healing and diminishes wrinkles, scars, and other signs of aging. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian have been vocal about their love for vampire facials, often sharing their treatment experiences on social media platforms. With glowing endorsements from the rich and famous, it’s no wonder that this procedure has gained immense popularity in recent years.
In the summer of 2018, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) initiated an inquiry into a case involving a woman who tested positive for HIV while traveling abroad, despite having no history of drug use, recent sexual activity outside her relationship, or blood transfusions. It was discovered that her infection originated from a facial procedure at an unlicensed spa.
By spring 2023, the NMDOH had identified four female clients of the spa and a male sexual partner of one of the women who had tested positive for HIV, with the earliest case dating back to 2016. One individual, who had undergone a vampire facial in 2018, was hospitalized three years later with an illness commonly associated with AIDS.
The investigation revealed several concerning practices at the spa, including the storage of unlabeled blood tubes and injectables like botox in a kitchen refrigerator alongside food, as well as the presence of unwrapped syringes in various locations throughout the facility. Additionally, there was no evidence of a regulated steam-based sterilization system.
In the United States, practitioners are required to possess a medical license to draw, separate, and reinject blood for such procedures. Not only did the spa owner lack the necessary licenses, but there was also a lack of adequate systems for recording appointments or client information. This complicates efforts to trace the spread of infections and also makes it challenging to determine the full extent of potential client exposure. As part of their investigation, the NMDOH conducted HIV testing on all 198 clients listed in their records.
Meanwhile the spa owner pleaded guilty to five counts of practicing medicine without a license in 2022, resulting in a jail sentence and an obligation to provide restitution to those affected.
Image source: Clément Falize, unsplash
