“Vampire facials”: the new “treatment” that infected 3 women with HIV in the US

Three women in New Mexico, United States, contracted the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) after undergoing cosmetic procedures known as “vampire facials” at a local spa.

Three women from New Mexico contracted HIV after undergoing a cosmetic procedure known as a “vampire facial” at a spa in Albuquerque. According to reports published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the state, the first case of HIV transmission related to this spa dates back to the year 2018. Since then, the establishment has been operating irregularly.

What are vampire facials and how are they performed?

The procedure known as a “vampire facial” involves the application of platelet-rich plasma using micro-needles, after extracting and processing the patient’s blood. This aesthetic approach aims to revitalize the skin by reinjecting blood components into specific areas of the face.

There are claims, albeit supported by limited evidence, that this treatment can rejuvenate the skin and improve its appearance. Additionally, it has received widespread promotion from celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Kim Kardashian.

However, recent research by the CDC has revealed that if such procedures lack the necessary hygienic conditions and licenses, individuals undergoing “vampire facials” are at high risk of contracting diseases such as HIV or Hepatitis B and C.

Why did this outbreak of contagions in vampire facials arise?

The investigations by the CDC of New Mexico indicate that this outbreak primarily occurred because the equipment used in the treatments administered to these three patients was in poor condition: previously used syringes were found, blood bags were improperly stored, and there was a general lack of hygiene in the work environment.

Viral genetic sequencing of the three cases between 2018 and 2023 shows that all infections are closely linked. According to reports from researchers, a total of 198 clients underwent HIV testing between 2018 and 2023. It was from here that the three cases of the affected patients were detected. Unfortunately, two of them were detected too late and received a diagnosis of stage three infection, which is when it progresses to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

The spa was immediately shut down, and its owner, María de Lourdes Ramos De Ruiz, 62, faced charges for practicing medicine without a license. In 2022, she was found guilty of five charges and is currently serving a sentence of three and a half years in prison.