Two clients of shuttered New Mexico spa that offered ‘vampire facials’ diagnosed with HIV

Two former clients of a now-closed New Mexico spa offering “vampire facials” contracted HIV, according to the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH).

The department said both people had received “injection related procedures” at the shuttered VIP Spa in Albuquerque between May and September 2018.

The department has not yet concluded the facials, which involve the injection of plasma into the face, directly caused the infections, but said “additional laboratory testing on specimens from the two clients indicates recent infection with the same HIV virus- increasing the likelihood that the two HIV infections may have resulted from a procedure at the VIP spa.” The department has not identified any other potential exposures for the virus at the spa.{mosads}

“While over 100 VIP Spa clients have already been tested, NMDOH is reaching out to ensure that testing and counseling services are available for individuals who received injection related services at the VIP Spa,” Kathy Kunkel, New Mexico Department of Health Cabinet secretary, said in a statement. “Testing is important for everyone as there are effective treatments for HIV and many hepatitis infections.”

The spa closed last September after an inspection by the state Department of Health, the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department and Barbers and Cosmetologists Board determined it was engaging in practices that could spread HIV and other bloodborne infections like hepatitis B and hepatitis C, according to the department.

The NMDOH is offering free testing services at two sites on Tuesdays, and advises anyone seeking cosmetic procedures involving injections to verify a licensed medical provider will be performing them.