Albuquerque, New Mexico – A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shed light on the potential health hazards posed by certain cosmetic procedures, such as Botox injections and “vampire facials.” This groundbreaking study examines the connection between these treatments and HIV transmission, focusing on the unsanitary conditions at an unlicensed spa in New Mexico. For the first time, health experts are raising an alarming red flag.
This new report reveals that three women who received these experimental cosmetic procedures have tested positive for HIV, despite exhibiting no other risk factors associated with the disease. Vampire facials, which involve the extraction and re-injection of a patient’s blood using microneedles, have gained popularity as a means of rejuvenating the skin and combating acne and wrinkles.
The CDC report estimates that up to 59 individuals may have been exposed to HIV at the unlicensed spa in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Although the report does not disclose the clinic’s name, it has been identified as VIP Spa by local news outlet KRQE-TV. The spa’s owner, Maria Ramos de Ruiz, was convicted of practicing without a license in 2022 and has been serving a three and a half-year prison sentence at Springer Correctional Center.
In addition to the three cases of HIV, two other infections have been traced back to the clinic, either directly or indirectly. As a result, the state health department is advising former clients to undergo testing for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, regardless of previous negative test results.
Dr. Laura Parajon, the deputy secretary of the health department, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the risks associated with unlicensed spa facilities. She urged individuals who received injection-related services at VIP Spa to get tested, assuring them that the process is both free and confidential.
As a response to this alarming report, the CDC has issued a warning, urging the public to avoid seeking treatments and procedures at unlicensed spa facilities due to the potential health risks they pose