A “vampire facial” at a New Mexico spa has been linked to a new HIV case, state health officials said on Wednesday, years after the establishment shuttered.
According to the New Mexico Department of Health, the patient’s only self-reported HIV risk exposure occurred during a vampire facial they had at VIP Spa in Albuquerque in 2018.
The spa client tested positive in 2023, but the facility was shut down in September 2018 after state investigators found procedures that would have exposed customers to blood-borne illnesses like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Two more customers had tested HIV positive at the time of the original investigation.
A patient’s blood is extracted during a vampire facial, and then, using tiny needles, blood components are injected back into the patient’s face. According to reports, the technique can aid with fine lines and minimise pore size to revitalise the skin.
The health department recommends getting tested for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C if you previously received any injection-related services, such as a vampire facial or Botox injections at the VIP Spa. Health officials recommended retesting former VIP clients even if their initial results were negative after more than 100 of them were examined in 2018 and 2019 as part of the original inquiry.
“It’s very important that we spread the word and remind people who received any kind of injection-related to services provided at the VIP Spa to come in for free and confidential testing,” Dr. Laura Parajon, deputy secretary for the health department, said.
On Wednesday, the health department stated that it has identified additional HIV infections with “direct or indirect connection with services provided” at VIP Spa.
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