Three women in New Mexico, USA, became infected with HIV after undergoing facial rejuvenation treatments known as “vampire facials“. This contagion occurred in a spa that operated without proper licenses. It is a case that causes alarm in the medical community and among the general public, as it is the first confirmed incidents where HIV is transmitted through cosmetic procedures that involve needles.
The “vampire facial” is a type of rejuvenation therapy that involves inserting micro needles into the skin. Subsequently, platelet-rich plasma obtained from the patient’s own blood is applied. Although such treatment has been gaining popularity for its promises of improving the appearance and health of the skin, it presents an inherent risk when infection control protocols are not managed rigorously enough.
Vampire facials and HIV infections.
HIV Transmission During Vampire Facial Linked to Needle Reuse. A practice totally contrary to all established medical and health standards. These rules are crucial to preventing the transmission of infectious diseases, and violating them puts patients at serious risk. In the case of the three infected women, the procedure was carried out under unsafe conditions and without meeting the necessary hygiene and control standards.
The first case it came to light in 2018, when a woman in her 40s with no pre-existing risk factors tested positive for HIV. At that time, New Mexico state health authorities began an exhaustive investigation. This not only led to the closure of the spa in the fall of the same year, but also to charges being filed against the owner for perform medical procedures without a license and violate numerous health regulations.
Rejuvenation treatments such as the vampire facial can offer benefits. But, only if they are carried out under optimal hygiene conditions and with properly trained and licensed personnel. Any deviation from these standard practices not only endangers the health of patients, but could also lead to severe legal consequences for providers. And the cases of these three women in New Mexico serve as a stark reminder of the risks associated with cosmetic procedures performed in unsanitary conditions.