The possible contraction of HIV by 2 people after receiving an improperly done procedure falsely advertised as a Vampire Facial necessitates repeating a very important warning, said Charles Runels, MD, Medical Director, Cellular Medicine Association.
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The Vampire Facial, Vampire Facelift, O-Shot, and P-Shot are all "service marks." Service marks are a particular type of trademark that indicates a very specific method of doing something.
Because the procedure involves a device that punctures the skin (microneedling), the procedure can spread disease if done improperly.
Some of the cheaper devices used to do the microneedling will suck blood up into the handle; therefore, the next patient could potentially be inoculated with the blood-borne pathogens from all of the people previously treated with that same device—medically similar to having sex with everyone previously treated.
Also, the device used to prepare the patient's own blood for topical treatment after the microneedling component of the Vampire Facial is done, should be approved by the FDA for preparation of blood to go back into the body.
Kits made to analyze blood for testing should not be used.
The FDA does not approve a person's own blood, nor does the FDA approve procedures.
But, the FDA does and should approve both the device used to create the microneedling-puncture wounds as well as the device used to prepare the platelet rich plasma (PRP) used drip onto the skin after the microneedling.
Dr. Runels initially designed the Vampire Facelift procedure.
Out of that process he designed the Orgasm Shot, the Vampire Facial, and Vampire Wing Lift, Vampire Beast Lift, and the Priapus Shot procedures.
To help keep patients safe, Dr. Runels secured trademarks (service marks) with the US Patent and Trademark Office so that he could protect patients by limiting advertising of these procedures to providers who agree to follow specific methods and to use FDA approved devices.
These marks serve to identify providers who understand the design in the same way a Calvin Klein tag goes on a garment manufactured by another person but who follows Mr. Klein's design.
The clinic in New Mexico was illegally using the Vampire Facial name.
Licensed providers of the procedure can be found on the official website, VampireFacial.com ■