The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that three women who underwent a “vampire facial” procedure at an unlicensed medical spa in New Mexico have been diagnosed with HIV. This is believed to be the first documented case of people contracting the virus through a cosmetic procedure involving needles.
The investigation into the clinic took place from 2018 through 2023, during which it was discovered that disposable equipment intended for one-time use was being reused, leading to possible infections. While HIV transmission from contaminated blood through unsterile injection is well-known, this is the first time infections have been linked to cosmetic services.
Many popular cosmetic treatments use needles, including Botox, fillers, tattoos, and the “vampire facial” procedure, which involves injecting plasma into the face using tiny needles to rejuvenate the skin. The New Mexico Department of Health began investigating the spa in 2018 after a woman tested positive for HIV with no known risk factors but traced her exposure back to needles used during a procedure at the clinic.
As a result of the investigation, the spa was closed in 2018 and its owner was prosecuted for practicing medicine without a license. The report emphasizes the importance of requiring infection control practices at businesses offering cosmetic procedures involving needles and highlights the need for better record-keeping to facilitate contacting clients if needed in the future.
