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TIL that Gwyneth Paltrow is not just a harmless grifter

Three women contract HIV from dirty “vampire facials” at unlicensed spa

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/04/dirty-vampire-facials-behind-first-hiv-outbreak-linked-to-spa-treatments/

Five patients with links to the spa had viral genetic sequences that closely matched.

Three women contract HIV from dirty “vampire facials” at unlicensed spa

I never went as far as to defend Gwyneth Paltrow, but after her Hot Ones appearance I created a post (which I will link in the comments) where I suggested that she's done no more harm than male grifters and that the dislike of her as a person was primarily due to misogyny. That's before I learned about her promotion of these unproven "vampire facials". Now an unlicensed clinic performing this procedure has given at least three women HIV. You guys were right and I was wrong.

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whenigrowup356

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Just to be clear, did she recommend that specific clinic? I'm not a fan of her past work but I think it's a stretch to blame something like this directly on her.

The beauty and skincare industries have tons of claims flying around that are less-than-validated but going to a facility that uses basic precautions is probably still a good idea.

As an additional data point here, the American Academy of Dermatology Association still has a page up with more info about the procedure. It makes it clear that it's unproven but it's supposed to be your own blood that's used for the procedure. It ends with a recommendation to talk to your dermatologist to decide if it's right for you, much the same as any medical advice found online.

From their page:

"Few studies conducted in people

All these benefits have created high demand for a procedure that has little evidence to back it up.

Few studies have been conducted because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t require the large, complex studies necessary for new drugs. Since PRP uses needles and a centrifuge, the FDA classifies PRP as a medical device. The rules for medical devices are less demanding."