Three women in New Mexico became infected with HIV after obtaining a “vampire facial” at a spa, according to a CDC investigation. This is the first reported case of HIV transmission via a cosmetic injectable technique in the United States.
Vampire facials, also known as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment facials, have grown in popularity in recent years as an alternative to surgery to stimulate collagen formation and rejuvenation. The technique entails extracting a patient’s blood, isolating the platelet-rich plasma, and reapplying it to the face with microneedles. While promoted as a safe and natural technique to attain young skin, the CDC’s research emphasizes the risks connected with poor cleanliness throughout the operation.
The CDC’s inquiry linked the diseases to a specific spa in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which has since closed. The first incidence was reported in 2018, forcing the New Mexico Department of Health to provide free HIV testing to everyone who had injections at the facility. Further analysis uncovered two more instances related to the spa, all indicating a consistent source of transmission.
“This investigation is the first to associate HIV transmission with nonsterile cosmetic injection services,” according to the report released by the CDC. The spa’s unclean methods are thought to be to blame, with possible contamination happening during blood draws, faulty equipment handling, or inadequate sterilizing measures.
The CDC highlights the necessity of receiving treatment from trained healthcare providers who follow stringent infection control practices. Board-certified dermatologists and plastic surgeons are more suited to ensuring the safe and sanitary execution of cosmetic treatments such as vampire facials.
“This event highlights the importance of receiving cosmetic injections in a healthcare setting from a qualified healthcare provider who uses sterile techniques and disposable equipment,” said the report’s lead author, John S. Lantos of the CDC’s Division of Viral Diseases.
Healthcare professionals who perform cosmetic injections are encouraged to follow recognized criteria set out by organizations such as the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. These recommendations explain critical infection-control measures such as adequate equipment sterilization, the use of disposable needles, and adherence to safe blood handling practices.
The CDC report emphasizes the value of patient education and awareness. Individuals considering vampire facials, or any other cosmetic procedure requiring injections, should be aware of the possible hazards and the significance of receiving treatment from trained physicians that emphasize patient safety.
