Three women were diagnosed with HIV after receiving “vampire facial” procedures at an unlicensed medical spa in New Mexico, making them the first documented cases of HIV transmission through a cosmetic procedure using needles. Federal health officials reported that the clinic reused disposable equipment intended for one-time use, leading to probable infections.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted an investigation from 2018 to 2023, revealing that the spa did not follow proper infection control practices. This incident highlights the risks associated with needle-based cosmetic treatments, such as Botox, fillers, and “vampire facials.”
A vampire facial involves drawing a client’s blood, separating the plasma, and using needles to inject it into the face for skin rejuvenation. Similarly, tattoos use needles for the application. The New Mexico Department of Health started investigating the spa in 2018 after a woman tested positive for HIV with no known risk factors, linking it to the procedure at the clinic.
The spa closed down in 2018 following the investigation, and the owner was charged with practicing medicine without a license. The CDC report emphasized the importance of maintaining infection control practices at businesses offering needle-based cosmetic procedures. It also highlighted the need for better record-keeping to facilitate contact tracing in case clients need follow-up care.