"Facial Vampire" may have exposed NM Spa's clients to HIV

(CNN) – Health officials recommend that clients who have received a "vampire facial" or other type of injection-related service at an Albuquerque spa be tested for HIV and other infections transmitted by blood. establishment.

The New Mexico Department of Health announced Tuesday that a VIP Spa client had developed an infection that could result from a spa procedure.

Now, the department is urging clients to visit the Midtown Public Health Office this week for lab tests and tips on HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

"It is very important that anyone who has received a facelift or other vampire injection service at the VIP Spa in May or June 2018 goes to the Midtown Public Health Office for free lab tests and advice. and confidential, "Lynn Gallagher, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Department of Health, said in the announcement.

Friday's inspection of the spa revealed that it was being used to "spread blood-borne infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C to customers," the announcement said.

Subsequently, the spa received a stop and desist letter and immediately closed, said the department.

A spa representative declined to comment and CNN attempted to contact a lawyer for the spa on Thursday.

According to experts, a vampire facial, also known as plasma-rich facial protein, should not expose customers to such infections.

"This should never have happened," said Dr. Kenneth Mark, a certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York and clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health, who was not involved in the case of New Mexico.

"As long as the proper protocols are followed and there is no sharing of equipment for patients," he said, "then that should not be a problem" .

How does a "vampire face" work?

A vampire face is to draw the blood of a person, hence his name.

"The blood is then centrifuged, which means it's processed in a centrifuge where it runs very fast," said Dr. Ehsan Ali, a licensed internal medicine doctor known as the Beverley Hills Concierge Doctor.

Then, "the plasma is then extracted.Plasma is what contains all the nutrients, growth factors and protein that helps stimulate new skin, the new collagen, and that's basically what gives all the benefit. "

The plasma is then deposited on the face and reinjected into the skin with the help of a tool called micro-needling, which creates tiny bites in the skin with tiny miniature needles.

Ali, who was not involved in the New Mexico case, said that if the micro-needling pen or other equipment was not properly removed or sterilized between facials, this could expose patients to infections transmitted by blood. New Mexico. This could happen if micro-needling tips or syringes were reused, or if the blood of another patient was used to perform facial care, for example.

Interestingly to a vampire face, Ali advised patients to see practitioners open new syringes to draw blood, as well as to change the micro-needling pen before performing the procedure.

"Make sure you see everything in front of you," he said. "Make sure the place uses new equipment, changing spikes and needles."

Dr. Michael Dobryansky, a plastic surgeon from the Long Island Plastic Surgery Group trained in the cosmetic vampire method, said there are specific trainings that providers must follow to obtain a license in a complex procedure like the vampire facial.

"Thus, for patients investigating the locations of such procedures, they must ensure that the premises are certified by vampires, because there is specific training and maintenance specific certification required by this organization. in order to both perform the procedures and offer them permanently to the patients, "said Dobryansky, who was not involved in the New Mexico case.

"If you are a consumer, you may end up in a reputable place," he said.

Patients should also ensure that all the facilities they visit for such procedures follow universal safety measures, such as hand washing and wearing gloves, wearing proper masks, l & # 39; 39, proper disposal of waste, including blood waste. "So all these things must be in place."