“Beauty is pain.”

While some may agree with those words, others would argue that injecting your own blood back into your face in the name of beauty may be taking the saying a bit too far.

The vampire facial, otherwise known as a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) facial, has been widely debated ever since Kim Kardashian West underwent the procedure during an episode of the Keeping Up with the Kardashians spin-off, Kim and Kourtney Take Miami.

Now, the unusual treatment is under more scrutiny than ever before after two clients treated at a spa in New Mexico have tested positive for HIV. The two people with positive results had “injection-related procedures” at the spa between May and September 2018, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH), said.

When Kardashian West had her vampire facial, she admitted in a blog post that she regretted it, explaining that the procedure was “rough” and “painful”.

“Before I got the procedure, I just found out that I was pregnant, so I couldn’t use the numbing cream or a pain killer and both are suggested,” she wrote.

“It was really rough and painful for me.”

The vampire facial is a very contentious treatment in the world of facial aesthetics, as Dr Darren McKeown explains.

When Kardashian West had her vampire facial, she admitted in a blog post that she regretted it, explaining that the procedure was “rough” and “painful”.

“Before I got the procedure, I just found out that I was pregnant, so I couldn’t use the numbing cream or a pain killer and both are suggested,” she wrote.

“It was really rough and painful for me.”

The vampire facial is a very contentious treatment in the world of facial aesthetics, as Dr Darren McKeown explains.
“It is controversial however because the evidence used to show that it works is conflicting at best.

“Some studies have shown it to be effective, whilst others have shown it to have no effect whatsoever.”

The vampire facial gained a lot of prominence when it featured on the reality show, something that Dr McKeown felt torn about.

“When Kim Kardashian posted her Instagram picture a few years ago of her blood-stained face during the procedure, the whole world went mad.

“Everyone wanted it, and clinics were happy to provide the procedure, which became a big money spinner.

“I always felt uncomfortable with it and most of my patients decided against it and went for other options by the time I explained my views on it.”

The vampire facial gained a lot of prominence when it featured on the reality show, something that Dr McKeown felt torn about.

“When Kim Kardashian posted her Instagram picture a few years ago of her blood-stained face during the procedure, the whole world went mad.

“Everyone wanted it, and clinics were happy to provide the procedure, which became a big money spinner.

“I always felt uncomfortable with it and most of my patients decided against it and went for other options by the time I explained my views on it.”