A second customer of a spa in Albuquerque, New Mexico has tested HIV positive after having a vampire facial. The spa was shut down last year after the first client reported developing HIV, with other clients being urged to get tested by the New Mexico Department of Health.
The two customers had 'injection-related procedures' at the spa between May and September 2018, according to the department of health. Customers are now being asked to test also for hepatitis B and C. While the clients have contracted the same strain of the HIV virus, it is not yet confirmed whether the spa is responsible.
'The NMDOH investigation has not identified potential exposures for HIV transmission other than the injection related procedures at the VIP Spa,' a health department spokesperson stated, 'Additional laboratory testing on specimens from the two clients indicates recent infection with the same HIV virus – increasing the likelihood that the two HIV infections may have resulted from a procedure at the VIP spa.'
The department of health is offering free testing, with Kathy Kunkel, cabinet secretary, asking more clients to come forward. 'While over 100 VIP Spa clients have already been tested, NMDOH is reaching out to ensure that testing and counselling services are available for individuals who received injection related services at the VIP Spa,' she said, 'Testing is important for everyone as there are effective treatments for HIV and many hepatitis infections.'
Made popular by Kim Kardashian West, vampire facials involve drawing blood from someones face and then passing it through a centrifuge machine and reinjecting it back into the face using microneedles. The treatment is meant to stimulate collagen production, as the centrifuge machine isolates the plasma in blood, which contains most of the nutrients and growth factors for new skin.
According to dermatologist, Dr Kenneth Mark, when ‘proper protocols are followed and there is no sharing of equipment for patients, then it should not be an issue’. While spa owner Luly Ruiz told KOAT-TV she only uses disposable needles for the vampire facial, some are speculating the microneedling device was not properly sterilized between uses. ‘I open them in front of my clients every time they come,’ she said.
However, according to dermatologist Dr Doris Day, there are only two likely circumstances under which this could occur. ‘They may have drawn blood from more than one person at the same time and crossed samples — meaning blood products drawn from one person were used on another,’ she told Allure. ‘Another possibility is that the microneedling device was not properly sterilized after use, and the PRP material contaminated the device and was transferred to the next client.’
Click through for the best face serums to revive your skin...
Best Face Serum slider
1 of 11Vichy Idealia Life Serum £22.50
Tired city skin? Vichy's Idealia Life Serum is the perfect fast fix when the commuter life is taking its toll. Amino acids help protect against pollution, while antioxodants help rid the skin of toxins.
2 of 11Ren Radiance Perfection Serum, £35
Your go-to serum if your guilty of over-sunning. This lightweight formula helps alleviate uneven skin tone and is really hydrating. It's also free of nasty parabens and sulfates.
3 of 11MV Organic Skicare Serum
This organic serum is a fast pick-me-up for neglected skin. A few drops is all you need for a nourished, brighter complexion.
4 of 11Aesop Parsley Seed Serum, £45
Feeling grey? Then a hit of Aesop's divine-smelling antioxidant formula is due. Grape Seed and moisturising oils shield and nourish your skin, making it a great formula for sensitive skin types.
5 of 11Philosophy No Reason To Hide Serum, £48
Philosophy's fab all-rounder combats redness, uneven skintone and even acne scarring with it's intense formula. Fruit acids and Vitamin C work their magic, speeding up cell renewal and drawing blood to the surface to make skin look plumper and more luminous.
6 of 11Dr Sebagh Serum Repair, £69
This hydrating mini miracle worker is Elle Macpherson's secret to tighter, brighter and rejuvinated skin.
7 of 11Murad Intensive Age Diffusing Serum, £65
Murad's formula acts fast on wrinkes with Wild Yam Extract encouraging collagen production to reduce fine lines and hydrate.
8 of 11Dr Hauschka Night Serum, £39
If your skin needs a little help finding its balance then this over-night serum should do the trick. Apple fruit hydrosol and apple blossom help skin recuperate to leave it brighter and more radiant come morning.
9 of 11Ole Henriksen Truth Serum, £20
If your skin is sensitive then a daily dose of this antioxident rich cream will help protect against daily aggressors like pollution. Also packed with Vitamin C it leaves skin nourished and smooths fine lines. Bonus: it smells heavenly.
10 of 11La Prairie Anti-Aging Rapid Response Booster Serum, £220
This pro wrinkle-relaxer harnesses plumping hyaluronux acid and tightening proteins to give your face a contoured effect sans makeup.
11 of 11Sanoflore Essence Merveilleuse, £36
This wonder night oil works as you sleep, meaning you wake-up to revived and beautiful skin. The four essential ingredients (a blend of potent oils, natch!) not only are anti-aging but are also proven to help you get your seven hours zzz.
While Day states ‘it is a very safe procedure when done properly’, she warns that there are risks of ‘infection, scarring and contamination if the device is not properly sterilized between uses.’ Advising potential clients to visit board-certified dermatologists or plastic surgeons if they want the treatment, after this development we doubt anyone will be eager to have the procedure done.
Earlier this year, Kim Kardashian West actually exposed vampire facials as the beauty treatment she regrets the most. ‘A few years ago, I heard about a “vampire facial,” and I was so intrigued,’ she wrote on her website, ‘before I got the procedure, I just found out that I was pregnant, so I couldn’t use numbing cream or a pain killer and both are suggested… It was really rough and painful for me. It was honestly the most painful thing ever! It's the one treatment that I'll never do again.’