The closure of a day spa in Albuquerque, New Mexico, following an investigation into unregulated ‘vampire facials’ is a stark reminder of the importance of rapid contact tracing and proper regulation of invasive treatments. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a report detailing five suspected cases of HIV linked to unsanitary procedures carried out at the spa by an unlicensed operator. This incident highlights the potential dangers of unregulated beauty practices.
In the summer of 2018, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) initiated an investigation after a woman tested positive for HIV following a facial procedure at the unlicensed spa. The procedure, commonly known as a vampire facial, involves drawing blood from a vein, separating platelets, and reinjecting them into the skin using microneedling. Despite limited scientific evidence supporting its benefits, the procedure claims to accelerate healing and reduce blemishes associated with aging.
The investigation uncovered several shocking practices at the spa, including storing unlabeled tubes of blood and injectables alongside food in a kitchen refrigerator, as well as keeping unwrapped syringes in various areas of the facility. Additionally, there was no evidence of a proper sterilizing system in place. Practitioners in the US are required to have a medical license to perform such procedures, but the spa owner lacked the necessary licenses and a system for recording client details.
By the spring of 2023, the NMDOH had identified four female clients and one male sexual partner of a client who tested positive for HIV following visits to the spa. One client, who received a vampire facial in 2018, was hospitalized three years later with an illness associated with AIDS. The lack of proper record-keeping made it challenging to trace the spread of infections and determine the total number of affected clients.
The case of the unlicensed spa in Albuquerque serves as a cautionary tale for the beauty industry. Proper regulation, including the maintenance of detailed client records and the enforcement of licensing requirements, is essential to ensure the safety of clients. Spa owner Maria de Lourdes Ramos De Ruiz’s guilty plea to practicing medicine without a license and the subsequent legal consequences underscore the importance of adhering to industry regulations.
The incident involving the unlicensed spa highlights the critical need for strict regulation in the beauty industry. Practitioners must adhere to licensing requirements, maintain thorough client records, and follow sanitary protocols to protect the health and well-being of their clients. Proper oversight and enforcement of regulations are vital to prevent similar incidents and safeguard public health.
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