In recent years, three women in Albuquerque, New Mexico were diagnosed with HIV after undergoing “vampire facial” procedures at an unlicensed medical spa. According to federal health officials, this is believed to be the first documented case of individuals contracting the virus through a cosmetic procedure involving needles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted an investigation into the clinic from 2018 to 2023 and found that disposable equipment intended for one-time use was apparently being reused.
Many cosmetic treatments, such as Botox and fillers, involve the use of needles. The “vampire facial” procedure, which involves injecting plasma into the face to rejuvenate the skin, also requires the use of tiny needles. Additionally, tattoos are another example of procedures that involve needles. While HIV transmission through unsterile injection is a known risk, this is the first documented case of probable infections from cosmetic services.
The New Mexico Department of Health began investigating the spa in the summer of 2018 after a woman in her 40s tested positive for HIV, despite having no known risk factors. She reported exposure to needles during a procedure at the clinic earlier that year. The spa was closed in the fall of 2018, and its owner was prosecuted for practicing medicine without a license. The investigation highlighted the importance of implementing infection control practices at establishments that offer cosmetic procedures involving needles. It also emphasized the necessity for improved record-keeping practices at such businesses in case clients need to be contacted in the future.