Three women were reported to be diagnosed with HIV after receiving "vampire facial" procedures at an unlicensed medical spa in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a recent report obtained by the Associated Press.
Federal health officials confirmed that VIP Spa was under investigation from 2018 through 2023, which uncovered that the facility had reused disposable equipment that should've been limited for one-time use and HIV was transmitted to the clients via contaminated blood. The three reported cases mark the first known examples of patients contracting the virus through cosmetic services using needles.
The process of platelet-rich plasma microneedling facials, informally known as "vampire facials," are intended to rejuvenate the patient's skin, providing a more youthful appearance by reducing acne scars and wrinkles, according to the American Academy of Dermatology via the AP. A machine separates the patient's blood into platelets and cells after it has been drawn from the body and the plasma is then injected into the patient's face through either single-use disposable or multi-use sterile needles.
Vampire facials have seen a recent spike in popularity after celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, have acknowledged undergoing the procedure publicly. The American Academy of Dermatology deemed that the procedure is generally safe, despite the risk of unsterile injection, which officials claim is due to spa facilities not practicing proper infection control.