Three women diagnosed with HIV after getting ‘facial procedures’ in…

Health officials stated that three women diagnosed with HIV after receiving ‘vampire facial’ treatments at an unlicensed medical spa in New Mexico are believed to be the first documented cases of HIV transmission through a cosmetic procedure involving needles.

While HIV transmission through contaminated blood via unsterile injections is a recognized risk, this is the first documented instance of probable infections linked to cosmetic services, as per the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Report.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an investigation conducted from 2018 to 2023 revealed that the clinic apparently reused disposable equipment meant for single use.

Numerous popular cosmetic procedures, such as Botox for wrinkle reduction and fillers for lip enhancement, entail the use of needles. The “vampire facial,” or platelet-rich plasma microneedling, involves drawing the client’s blood, separating its components, and injecting plasma into the face using tiny needles for skin rejuvenation. Additionally, tattooing requires needles.

The New Mexico Department of Health initiated an investigation into the spa in the summer of 2018 following a report of a woman in her 40s testing positive for HIV despite having no known risk factors. The woman disclosed exposure to needles during the clinic’s procedure in the spring of that year.

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The spa ceased operations in the fall of 2018 after the investigation commenced, and its owner faced legal action for practicing medicine without a license.

The report underscored the importance of enforcing infection control measures at establishments offering needle-based cosmetic procedures. It also highlighted the significance of maintaining accurate records, noting that the investigation was hindered by inadequate record-keeping and emphasizing the need for businesses to maintain comprehensive records for potential client follow-up.