Unveiling the ‘Vampire Facial’: Tied to HIV cases in the US?

Albuquerque, New Mexico, not only famous as the backdrop for the TV show ‘Breaking Bad’, was once the site of a day spa offering ‘Vampire Facials’. This spa was shut down six years ago when the New Mexico health department began probing its practices. Recently, a report by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) identified the spa as the source of HIV transmissions to five individuals, attributed to unsanitary practices at the facility.

A ‘Vampire Facial’ involves drawing blood, isolating the platelets, and then injecting them back into the skin using microneedling techniques, targeting areas like the scalp, cheeks, and brow. Proponents of the procedure claim it can expedite healing and diminish signs of aging such as wrinkles and scars, though scientific backing is limited.

The CDC investigation highlighted a case from 2018 where a woman contracted HIV despite having no history of drug use, sexual contact outside her relationship, or blood transfusions. She had undergone a facial treatment at the Albuquerque spa. The investigation was complicated by incomplete client records at the spa, necessitating a broader outreach to identify potential cases rather than direct client communication.

The report suggested that maintaining thorough client records in businesses providing injection services could improve the ability to trace back and manage health concerns effectively.

In 2022, the spa’s owner, Maria de Lourdes Ramos De Ruiz, admitted guilt to five counts of practicing medicine without a license.