Vampire Facelift Gone Wrong: CDC Reports Three HIV Cases Linked to Unlicensed Spa

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported three cases of women becoming infected with HIV after receiving blood cell injections for wrinkle removal and facelift procedures. These cases were disclosed during a meeting on April 26, 2023. The method used in these procedures is known as the Vampire Facelift, which involves using plasma from blood cells for cosmetic purposes.

In the first case, identified at VIP Spa in Albuquerque, Mexico, in 2018, a patient was diagnosed with HIV infection despite denying engaging in high-risk behaviors such as drug use, blood transfusions, or sex with HIV-infected individuals. The incident led to the New Mexico Department of Health offering free testing to all clients who had received injections at the facility and subsequently closed it down.

Two more cases of HIV infection were discovered in individuals who had received facial treatments at VIP Spa in 2018. One individual was diagnosed in the early stages of HIV infection while the other was hospitalized with severe symptoms. The CDC found that the spa did not have a proper operating license and failed to implement appropriate safety measures. An investigation by the CDC and the New Mexico Department of Health uncovered unsanitary practices at the spa including unlabeled blood tubes stored in refrigerators next to food and improperly handled syringes.

The spa owner was convicted of multiple health code violations in 2022 and sentenced to prison. In total, 59 customers were potentially exposed to HIV, with 20 of them undergoing the Vampire Facelift procedure. However, there is limited evidence supporting its effectiveness according to American Academy of Dermatology. It’s important for cosmetic facilities offering injection services to ensure that they follow stringent protocols for client safety when performing such procedures to prevent the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne pathogens.