Those seeking a “vampire facial” may need to take precautionary safety measures when undergoing the process to make sure the equipment is properly sterilized by technicians.

The New Mexico Department of Health shut down an Albuquerque spa when a client developed an infection after a “vampire facial” procedure. All clients of the VIP Spa are urged to visit the Midtown Public Health Office to test for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Lynn Gallagher, Cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Department of Health, said anyone who received a vampire facial or other injection-related services in May or June of this year are asked to come in for lab testing and counseling.

On Friday, an inspection of the VIP spa found it was practicing treatments “that could potentially spread blood-borne infections,” according to the announcement. The spa was issued a cease and desist letter, which prompted it to immediately close.

A vampire facial is aimed at stimulating new skin growth but when done properly, does not expose the client to blood-borne infections.

The clients blood is drawn and centrifuged, the process in which a machine spins it around real fast. The plasma is then extracted from the centrifuged blood. Plasma contains nutrients and the protein that helps in producing new collagen.

With tool called a micro-needling pen, a tool with fine needles, the plasma is layered on top of the face and injected back into the client. Almost like a tattoo.

Equipment should be properly disposed of or sterilized in between treatments. If it isn’t, this puts the client at risk of being exposed to blood-borne infections, similar to what happened in New Mexico.

Patients should make sure the procedure is properly sterilized. That means watching technicians open new syringes to draw blood and changing the micro-needling pen.

There is a vampire certification providers undergo before being licensed to practice a vampire facial and patients should look for this certification before undergoing the process.