The New Mexico Department of Health issued a warning for anyone in the area to avoid the VIP Day Spa in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after two of its former clients who received vampire facials there were revealed to have contracted the same strain of HIV.
"Vampire" facials rejuvenate people's faces by injecting their own blood back into their skin with a needle.
The procedure was popularized by Kim Kardashian West, who posted a picture of her own face after receiving one of the facials in March 2013.
After two customers of the VIP Day Spa were diagnosed with the same strain of HIV, officials concluded it was likely contracted at the spa, which, according to Buzzfeed, was shut down in September 2018 "after an inspection found problems with the handling of needles."
The New Mexico Department of Health is now offering free testing to anyone who received vampire facials from the spa, and have already tested 100 former clients for HIV and Hepatitis B or C.
Kathy Kunkel, the Department of Health's cabinet secretary, said in a statement:
"Testing is important for everyone as there are effective treatments for HIV and many hepatitis infections."
The Department of Health also issued a reminder to anyone seeking vampire facials:
"Any persons desiring cosmetic services involving needle injections should verify the services are being provided by a licensed medical provider."
Twitter users wanted nothing to do with the horrifying story:
This whole scenario demonstrates why safety inspections are so important.
It seems vampire facials can be just as dangerous as actual vampires.
If you're planning on receiving a vampire facial anytime in the near future, make sure the establishment you receive it from is reputable and has received all the proper safety inspections!
No youthful glow is worth contracting a deadly virus.
