Health official says 'vampire facial' at New Mexico spa would be linked to two cases of HIV

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The New Mexico Department of Health announced Monday that laboratory tests had revealed that both clients were infected with the same virus, increasing the likelihood that these infections would result from an intervention at the spa.

The Department of Health now offers free and confidential tests for testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C for all clients who have had an injection procedure at the VIP Spa in Albuquerque , in New Mexico, between May and September 2018.

"With more than 100 Spa VIP customers already tested, the NMDOH ensures that counseling and testing services are available to people who have received injection-related services at the VIP Spa," said Kathy Kunkel, secretary from the New Mexico Department of Health, in a written statement on Monday.

"Screening is important for everyone because there are effective treatments for HIV and many infections with hepatitis," she said. Free testing is provided at the South Valley Health Commons and Casa de Salud Family Practice, both located in Albuquerque, according to the department.

The VIP Spa shut down last September after an inspection by the New Mexico Department of Health and New Mexico's Licensing and Regulatory Department, Barbers and Cosmetologists.

Last year, at the same time, a spa representative declined to comment and CNN attempted to contact a spa lawyer.

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A vampire facial, also known as a high-protein facial, involves injecting nutrient-rich plasma into the skin of the face using a tool called a micro-needle pen. This plasma usually comes from your own blood.

According to an expert, when performed properly and safely, the vampire facial should not expose clients to such blood-borne infections. It is recommended to rejuvenate the face so that the skin looks younger.

However, if the micro-needle pen or other equipment is not properly removed or sterilized between facials, this could expose patients to blood-borne infections, as seen in the New -Mexico, Dr. Ehsan Ali, an internal doctor certified medical doctor known as the doctor concierge of Beverly Hills, said last year. Ali was not involved in the affairs of New Mexico.

Infections can occur if the tips or syringes of micro-needle are reused or if the blood of another patient is used to perform the facial, for example.

Ali advised patients interested in vampire facials to make sure that practitioners open new syringes to draw blood, and to change the needling pen before proceeding with the procedure.

"Just make sure everything is in front of you," he says. "Make sure the place uses new equipment, changing spikes and needles."

The New Mexico Department of Health said Monday that anyone "desires aesthetic services involving the injection of needles must verify that the services are provided by a licensed health care provider".

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