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Two people tested positive for HIV after receiving a "vampire facial", a treatment that injects blood platelets into a person's skin, through VIP Spa, a New Mexico clinic.
The Albequerque spa was actually closed last year, as a result of information that a patient would have received an "unspecified infection" shortly after receiving a facial treatment. vampire. An investigation by the New Mexico Department of Health subsequently uncovered unsafe needle storage and handling practices at VIP Spa, increasing the risk of transmitting infections through the blood.
The Ministry of Health urged people who had received vampire facial treatments at the spa in May or June 2018 to be tested for HIV and hepatitis A and B. In the latest statement from the New Mexico Department of Health spokesperson Kathy Kunkel said: Former VIP Spa clients had already been tested for HIV and hepatitis A and B free of charge, but the group wanted to "ensure screening and counseling services are available for people receiving injection-related services at VIP Spa ". two cases involved the same strain of HIV, increasing the likelihood of infections being related.
Fortunately, no other former VIP spa client has been tested positive for the virus since both positive tests, said David Morgan, media and social media officer of the New Mexico Department of Health, in a statement. Rolling stone. He added that while there is "no legislation directly regulating these cosmetic procedures … the New Mexico Department of Health encourages people to learn as much as possible about these procedures before they undergo them."
Originally popularized by Kim Kardashian (who posted a selfie on Instagram after receiving treatment), "the face of the vampire" is a familiar term for PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) treatments. The procedure involves taking blood from the patient's arm and using a centrifuge to extract platelet rich plasma (PRP) from the red blood cells. The platelet-rich plasma would be rich in growth factors that stimulate the collagen and elastin levels in the skin, thus giving the patient a fresher, younger look. The patient then undergoes microdermabrasion treatment before the blood platelets spread on the skin, much like a face mask. "PRP harnesses the body's natural growth factors and cytokines to repair and regenerate healthy, new skin tissue and stimulate collagen production," says Dr. Julie Russak, a dermatologist, who offers this procedure in her practice. New York.
PRP therapy is a popular procedure, but it is also not well documented: although some research suggests that PRP therapy may help accelerate the healing process following an injury, there is evidence that is effective at removing wrinkles and fine lines are largely anecdotal (although a very small study of 2018 suggested that it could lend itself to an 'improved skin texture with photo' -aging").
Although the procedure is supposed to be administered by a licensed health professional, the growing demand has led a number of unauthorized clinics to offer treatment. This trend was much to the chagrin of Charles Runels, MD, founder of the Cellular Medical Administration (CMA) and, more specifically, founder and owner of the Vampire Face Care and Facelift brand, the latter being the first brand of this last. 2010.
Runels does not know exactly how the virus spread in the case of the New Mexico clinic, but he suspects that the practitioners were using an off-label device that could have contained traces of other patients' blood and cause cross-contamination. "The people doing this procedure were never part of my group, never trained with me, and used my name illegally," Runels said. Rolling stone. It is also possible that the needles used in the treatment have been discarded inappropriately. "We only use disposable needle tips and open sterilized kits for each patient. All the tools used in the procedures are sterile and eliminated after a single use, "says Russak. "PRP facials are extremely safe to do when done in accordance with these strict guidelines."
While it may seem unbelievable that anyone would willingly allow an unqualified spa employee to take his blood and smear it on his face, Mr. Runels says this is terribly common. "I sent 300 letters to quit and abstain last week. I spent $ 800,000 on lawyers last year, "he says. He compares the proliferation of non-branded vampire facials to "if I had a hamburger kiosk and put a McDonald's logo on it, and I'm not McDonald's. Maybe the hamburger is good, but maybe that's goat meat. "
This story was updated with a quote from the New Mexico Department of Health.
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