Three Women Diagnosed with HIV After Receiving “Vampire Facials” at Unlicensed New Mexico Spa
In a shocking turn of events, three women have been diagnosed with HIV after receiving “vampire facial” procedures at an unlicensed medical spa in New Mexico. This marks the first documented cases of individuals contracting the virus through cosmetic services involving needles.
An investigation into the clinic, VIP Spa, revealed that the establishment was apparently reusing disposable equipment meant for one-time use, leading to the transmission of HIV to clients through contaminated blood. Vampire facials, also known as platelet-rich plasma microneedling facials, are popular cosmetic procedures aimed at rejuvenating the skin and reducing acne scars and wrinkles.
Despite the known risk of HIV transmission through unsterile injections, vampire facials are generally considered safe according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The New Mexico Department of Health linked the HIV cases to the spa after discovering similar HIV strains among three former clients.
The former owner of VIP Spa pleaded guilty to felony counts of practicing medicine without a license and conducting unlicensed vampire facials, among other illegal procedures. Nearly 200 former clients of the spa and their sexual partners were tested for HIV, with thankfully no additional infections found.
The former owner has been sentenced to 7 1/2 years, with 3 1/2 years to be served in prison and the remaining 4 years on supervised probation. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring proper sterilization practices in the cosmetics industry to prevent such tragic outcomes.
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