In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that three women had contracted HIV after receiving “vampire facial” procedures at an unlicensed medical spa in New Mexico. This marked the first documented cases of people acquiring the virus through a cosmetic procedure using needles.
These popular cosmetic treatments, including Botox and fillers, are typically delivered with needles. A “vampire facial” involves injecting plasma into the face with needles to rejuvenate the skin, while tattoos also require needles. While HIV transmission from contaminated blood through unsterile injection is a known risk, this was the first time it had been linked to cosmetic services.
The New Mexico Department of Health began investigating the spa in summer 2018 following a woman’s positive HIV test despite having no known risk factors. The woman claimed exposure to needles during a procedure at the clinic that spring. The spa was shut down in fall 2018 and its owner was charged with practicing medicine without a license.
The CDC report highlighted several important takeaways: Firstly, requiring infection control practices at businesses offering cosmetic procedures involving needles is crucial to prevent further outbreaks like this one. Secondly, maintaining proper records can help authorities track down potential cases of infection later on. Unfortunately, poor record-keeping hindered this investigation and underscores the importance of proper record-keeping practices in such establishments.