Five patients with links to the spa had viral genetic sequences that closely matched.

Trendy, unproven “vampire facials” performed at an unlicensed spa in New Mexico left at least three women with HIV infections. This marks the first time that cosmetic procedures have been associated with an HIV outbreak, according to a detailed report of the outbreak investigation published today.

Ars reported on the cluster last year when state health officials announced they were still identifying cases linked to the spa despite it being shut down in September 2018. But today’s investigation report offers more insight into the unprecedented outbreak, which linked five people with HIV infections to the spa and spurred investigators to contact and test nearly 200 other spa clients. The report appears in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The investigation began when a woman between the ages of 40 and 50 turned up positive on a rapid HIV test taken while she was traveling abroad in the summer of 2018. She had a stage 1 acute infection. It was a result that was as dumbfounding as it was likely distressing. The woman had no clear risk factors for acquiring the infection: no injection drug use, no blood transfusions, and her current and only recent sexual partner tested negative. But, she did report getting a vampire facial in the spring of 2018 at a spa in Albuquerque called VIP Spa.

  • SeaJ
    184•8 months ago

    “Vampire facial” is the common name for a platelet-rich plasma microneedling procedure. In this treatment, a patient’s blood is drawn, spun down to separate out plasma from blood cells, and the platelet-rich plasma is then injected into the face with microneedles. It’s claimed—with little evidence—that it can rejuvenate and improve the look of skin, and got notable promotions from celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Kim Kardashian.

    Not surprising that an idiotic procedure is pushed by morons.

    • DarkThoughts
      40•8 months ago

      It’s ridiculous, but the true issue is the hygiene of that place where they had that done to them.

    • @tsonfeir@lemm.ee
      10•8 months ago

      I doubt Gwyneth Paltrow and Kim Kardashian went to a place with hygiene issues. it’s unfortunate that they push these procedures without communicating the risks

      • @WamGams@lemmy.ca
        7•8 months ago

        Gwyneth’s HIV positive status has absolutely nothing to do with her natural living business, and any insinuation otherwise will promptly be met with a cease and desist.