At least 3 people have gotten HIV after invasive facials at a New Mexico spa

• Multiple patients have gotten HIV after receiving "vampire facials" at a spa in New Mexico.
• Vampire facials re-inject the patient's own blood, and can reduce wrinkles and sun damage.
• Vampire facials are safe when done with clean needles, but when not done in sterile conditions can transfer diseases. 

The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) is telling people who got injection services, like "vampire facials" or botox, at a spa in Albuquerque that they could be at risk of blood-born infections like HIV and Hepatitis C.

On Wednesday, the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) announced that they had identified a client of VIP Spa with a recently diagnosed HIV case linked to a "vampire facial" the patient received in 2018. This patient was not the first to be diagnosed with HIV following a procedure at VIP Spa — in 2019, two other patients contracted HIV after receiving vampire facials at the spa, Insider previously reported. 

The DOH's investigation found that there were "additional HIV infections with direct or indirect connection with services provided at the VIP Spa," according to a statement released by the agency.

"It's very important that we spread the word and remind people who received any kind of injection-related to services provided at the VIP Spa to come in for free and confidential testing," said Dr. Laura Parajon, deputy secretary for DOH, in the statement.  

VIP Spa was shut down in September 2018 and the spa's owner, Maria Ramos de Ruiz, was sentenced to three and half years of prison in June 2022.

What is a vampire facial?

Vampire facials — also known as plasma-rich protein (PRP) facials —  are a type cosmetic procedure that uses the patient's own blood to reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles, as well as fade sun damage.

During the procedure, a small amount of blood from the patient is collected, from which protein-rich plasma and platelets are separated. The mixture is then introduced back to the skin, either through microneedling — which involves many small punctures across the forehead and cheeks — or by injecting the blood into the skin like filler, a procedure known as a "vampire facelift." 

The procedure is believed to promote cell turnover and lead to an increase in collagen and elastin production, making the skin look smoother, tighter and fuller. 

"Collagen is the latticework of the face, so a PRP microneedling treatment helps improve skin texture and tone," dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal said to the Cleveland Clinic, "It triggers collagen production by stimulating the body's natural wound healing response."

The procedure is popular among celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Bar Refaeli, Insider previously reported.

Despite the VIP Spa scare, the procedure is generally safe

When clean, sterile needles are used and proper safety precautions are taken, vampire facials are safe. "If you have any bleeding disorders or abnormalities with platelets, it may not be as effective of a treatment for you, but generally, most people can be candidates for vampire facials," dermatologist Marisa Garshick previously told Insider. 

Garshick also recommended getting the procedure from a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. If you're considering going to a spa for the procedure, Garshick recommends seeing if the company receives oversight from a board certified professional on how to perform the treatment. 

If you did get the treatment at VIP Spa however, The New Mexico DOH recommends that you go to the South Valley Public Health office in Albuquerque for free HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C lab testing and counseling. They also encourage former VIP Spa clients to be retested even if they previously had a negative test.