Tuesday 30 April 2024 – 18:33
Three women have been diagnosed with HIV after receiving “vampire facials” at an unlicensed medical spa in New Mexico, raising serious concerns about the safety and regulation of such procedures.
The cases, dating back to 2018, were investigated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Their report revealed alarming conditions at the spa, including unlabeled blood vials stored alongside food in a kitchen refrigerator and unwrapped syringes scattered throughout the facility.
Vampire facials involve drawing a patient’s blood, separating its components, and then injecting the plasma back into the face using needles. While the procedure has gained popularity in recent years, with celebrities like Kim Kardashian sharing their experiences, this incident underscores the potential risks when performed in unsanitary conditions or by unqualified practitioners.
Health officials are urging anyone who received a vampire facial at the New Mexico spa to get tested for HIV and other blood-borne diseases.
