In Albuquerque, New Mexico, federal health officials have reported three cases of women who were diagnosed with HIV after receiving “vampire facial” procedures at an unlicensed medical spa. These are believed to be the first documented instances of people contracting HIV through a cosmetic procedure involving needles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted an investigation from 2018 to 2023, revealing that the clinic in question had reused disposable equipment meant for single use.
While HIV transmission from contaminated blood through unsterile injections is a known risk, this report marks the first time that infections related to cosmetic services have been documented. Many popular cosmetic procedures, such as Botox injections and fillers, involve the use of needles. The “vampire facial,” which is a platelet-rich plasma microneedling procedure, also uses needles to inject plasma into the face for skin rejuvenation.
The New Mexico Department of Health initiated an investigation into the spa in 2018 after a woman in her 40s tested positive for HIV without any known risk factors. She reported exposure to needles during a procedure at the clinic that spring. The spa closed in the fall of 2018, and the owner was prosecuted for practicing medicine without a license.
The CDC report emphasized the importance of enforcing infection control practices at businesses offering cosmetic procedures with needles. It also highlighted the need for improved record-keeping, as poor documentation slowed down the investigation. Businesses providing these services should maintain better records to facilitate contact with clients if necessary in the future.
These cases serve as a stark reminder that even seemingly harmless beauty treatments can pose significant health risks if proper precautions are not taken. Consumers should always research and choose reputable clinics or spas when seeking cosmetic procedures and be aware of potential risks associated with these treatments.
In addition to this incident, there have been other reports of patients contracting HIV through unsterile equipment used during tattooing or piercing procedures at unlicensed establishments across various states.
It is essential to ensure that all medical professionals who use needles follow strict infection control guidelines to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
Overall, this case highlights the importance of proper regulation and oversight in ensuring patient safety and preventing potentially harmful practices within unregulated industries such as beauty treatments or tattoo shops.