New Mexico

'Vampire Facial' linked with HIV cases in New Mexico

Published

2 years ago

April 28, 2024

'Vampire Facial' linked with HIV cases in New Mexico

The fans of ‘Breaking Bad’ TV show might remember Albuquerque in New Mexico as house of Walter White and his ‘Meth Lab’. But little did you know that this town in the United States was home to a day spa that used to perform ‘Vampire Facials’. Six years ago, that day spa was closed after the New Mexico health department began investigating the facility’s practice of these ‘Vampire Facials’.

Now a report by the US Centers for Disease Control, released this week, has found that the day spa contributed in transmitting HIV to five individuals due to unsanitary procedures at the facility.

What is ‘Vampire Facial’?

Commonly referred to as a vampire facial when applied to the face, the process involves separating platelets from blood drawn from a vein and reinjecting them using microneedling into areas of the skin such as scalp, cheeks, and brow.

Also watch | Indian men are opting to grow their facial hair

While little scientific evidence exists, it is claimed the concentration of platelets accelerates healing and reduces wrinkles, scar visibility, and other blemishes associated with ageing.

What did the US CDC find?

The US CDC found that a woman in 2018 who tested positive for the HIV without any history of drug use or sexual contact outside her relationship or blood transfusion, had a facial procedure at the Albuquerque spa.

“Incomplete spa client records posed a substantial challenge during this investigation, necessitating a large-scale outreach approach to identify potential cases, as opposed to direct communication with all clients,” the CDC discusses in its report.

“Requiring maintenance of sufficient client records to ensure adequate traceback by regulated businesses that provide injection services could ensure adequate capability to conduct traceback.”

Spa owner Maria de Lourdes Ramos De Ruiz pleaded guilty to five counts of practicing medicine without a license in 2022.

(With inputs from agencies)

Mukul Sharma

Mukul Sharma is a New Delhi-based multimedia journalist covering geopolitical developments in and beyond the Indian subcontinent. Deeply interested in the affairs

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New Mexico

Fourth Republican candidate announces bid for New Mexico governor

Published

4 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Fourth Republican candidate announces bid for New Mexico governor

SANTA FE, N.M. — Former New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Jim Ellison is running for governor as a Republican, he announced on social media Tuesday.

Ellison is running on affordability, opportunity and trust in government as the key points of his campaign. His experience includes serving on the NMPRC in 2023 and 2024.

“New Mexico deserves leadership that listens, acts, and delivers results. Our state has enormous potential, but too often that potential is held back by policies that don’t serve everyday New Mexicans,” he said on his website. “I’m running to bring practical solutions, honest accountability, and a renewed focus on the public interest.”

A Georgia native, Ellison has lived in New Mexico for 20 years and currently lives in the Albuquerque area with his wife and two children.

Ellison is aiming to get 5,000 signatures by Feb. 2, to appear on the primary ballot with at least three other Republicans who have announced their candidacy.

Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez announced his campaign in December and recently confirmed to KOB 4 that he received enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull and New Mexico State Sen. Steve Lanier are also running.

Three Democrats are running – Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.

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New Mexico

Independent governor’s race hopeful sues over New Mexico’s ballot process

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16 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Independent governor’s race hopeful sues over New Mexico’s ballot process

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New Mexico

New Mexico Lobo players and coaches make moves after successful season, AD departure

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico Lobo players and coaches make moves after successful season, AD departure

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A successful University of New Mexico Lobo athletics season and the athletics director’s departure has culminated in players and coaches making moves.

The moves follow a successful 2025 season and the departure of athletics director Fernando Lovo.

Running back coach John Johnson, special teams coordinator Daniel Da Prato and wide receiver coach Colin Lockett are all leaving the Lobos after just one season. Johnson is headed to Iowa State while Da Prato is expected to join Minnesota and Lockett is headed to UCLA, all for the same jobs.

Johnson’s Lobo running backs ran for more than 1,400 yards. Da Prato’s special teams finished top-five nationally in kickoff returns.

Running back D.J. McKinney entered the portal, he confirmed on social media the day the portal officially opened. McKinney rushed for 464 yards and seven touchdowns with the Lobos.

Two players who received all-Mountain West Conference recognition also made moves. All-Mountain West tight-end Dorian Thomas, who caught for touchdowns for the Lobos, entered the portal. Meanwhile, all-Mountain West honorable mention punter Daniel Hughes is set to leave.

Others set to leave include:

Cole Welliver, backup quarterback who played in one game
Landon Williams, defensive end who graduated from La Cueva High School
Randolph Kpai, senior linebacker who is at the end of his college football career without a waiver

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