Infected with HIV during facelift - authorities are looking for patients

Authorities warn of new lifting method "Vampire Facial"

US authorities are currently warning about the new facelifting method "Vampire Facial". This facial has been made famous by US TV star Kim Kardashian. She underwent this plastic surgery and posted pictures of it on her Instagram profile. In the "Vampire Facial" autologous blood is taken and injected the resulting blood plasma in the face. American health officials are now looking for patients in a beauty salon in New Mexico, as they are suspected of having become infected during treatment with HIV.

The US Department of Health is currently warning against beauty treatments at the VIP Spa facility in the city of Albuquerque. In health checks have been found gross hygiene deficiencies. Among other things, it can not be ruled out that patients have been infected with HIV or hepatitis. Now, the authorities have launched a call to ask patients to undergo health tests.

Who wants to be beautiful, must suffer, they say. VIP Spa customers in New Mexico may have suffered a lot of unnecessary suffering as authorities revealed catastrophic conditions there. (Image: Romario Ien / fotolia.com)

Hygienic abuses in the beauty salon

"It is very important that anyone who received a Vampire Facial or other injections at the VIP Spa in May or June 2018, come to the local health department for a free and confidential lab test and consultation," said Lynn Gallagher of New Mexico Health Authority in a press release from the Office.

Serious infectious diseases can not be excluded

With the "Vampire Face Lifting" absolute hygiene is a basic requirement. Through numerous injections, the blood plasma is injected under the skin. This provides germs with a lot of entry gates into the body. The authorities found conditions during their inspections that could not rule out the involvement of clients in the treatment of blood-borne infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C..

The salon was closed immediately

The beauty salon was closed by an injunction letter with immediate effect, the authorities said. There was no opinion from the VIP Spa. Any contact attempts were unsuccessful.

How does a "Vampire Facial" treatment work??

In this special self-blood therapy, the patient's own blood is taken. The blood plasma is then extracted from the autologous blood in a centrifuge. This plasma is then injected under the facial skin with miniature needles. The plasma contains numerous nutrients and proteins that are supposed to tighten the facial skin and stimulate growth.

Is the "Vampire Facial" safe?

"As long as all hygiene standards are met, treatment should not be a problem," says New York dermatologist dr. Kenneth Mark opposite the news channel CNN. Dr. Ehsan Ali, a Beverly Hills internal medicine physician, adds, "If a needle or other device is not properly sterilized or disposed of between treatments, patients may be at risk of contracting blood-borne infections."

These dangers lurk in dubious autologous blood treatments

If the microneedle tips used for injection are often reused, or if blood plasma from other patients is used to perform the facial treatment, severe infectious diseases can occur, the doctors confirm.

Double and triple hygiene

Dr. Michael Dobryansky is a plastic surgeon who is certified for "Vampire Facial" treatment. He explains to CNN what patients should look out for if they are interested in such treatment. "As patients, they should make sure that the sites are actually certified for Vampire Facial," said the expert. Also, customers of beauty salons should pay close attention to the hygiene standards. This includes, for example, proper hand washing, wearing gloves and masks, as well as proper disposal and sterilization. (Vb)