Last September, officials began investigating a spa in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for potentially exposing its clients to blood-borne infections through their “vampire” facials and other spa treatments.
Now, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has confirmed that two clients of the VIP Spa contracted the “same” HIV virus, according to a statement. This finding “increas[es] the likelihood” that the infections resulted from spa treatments involving needles, officials said.
One such treatment that the spa offered is the so-called vampire facial, which involves smearing a person’s own blood across his or her face after the skin has been sanded down or pricked with tiny needles. The alleged purpose of the facial is to improve skin health and reduce wrinkles and sun damage.