Albuquerque, New Mexico – Federal health officials have identified three cases of women contracting HIV after receiving “vampire facial” procedures at an unlicensed medical spa in New Mexico. This is believed to be the first documented instance of individuals acquiring the virus through a cosmetic procedure involving needles, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Report revealed that an investigation into the clinic from 2018 to 2023 found evidence of the facility reusing disposable equipment meant for single use. While transmission of HIV through contaminated blood due to unsterile injections is a known risk, this occurrence marks the first documented cases of likely infections associated with cosmetic services.
Common cosmetic treatments like Botox, fillers, and vampire facials involve the use of needles. The vampire facial, also known as platelet-rich plasma microneedling, entails drawing a patient’s blood, separating its components, and injecting plasma into the face with tiny needles to enhance skin rejuvenation. The use of needles is also prevalent in procedures like tattoos.
Following a report of an HIV-positive individual with no known risk factors, the New Mexico Department of Health initiated an investigation into the spa in the summer of 2018. Subsequent findings led to the closure of the spa in the fall of the same year, and the owner faced legal repercussions for practicing medicine without a license.
The CDC report underscores the importance of implementing infection control measures at establishments offering needle-related cosmetic procedures. It also highlights the challenge posed by inadequate record-keeping during the investigation and stresses the need for businesses in this sector to maintain thorough documentation for future reference and client notification purposes.