In a shocking revelation, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported three cases of women becoming infected with HIV after receiving blood cell injections for wrinkle removal and facelift procedures. This information was disclosed during a meeting on April 26. The method used in these procedures is known as the Vampire Facelift, which involves using plasma from blood cells for cosmetic purposes.
One of the first cases was identified at VIP Spa in Albuquerque, Mexico, in 2018. The patient denied engaging in high-risk behaviors such as drug use, blood transfusions, or sex with HIV-infected individuals, but did undergo blood cell injections at the spa. This incident led to the New Mexico Department of Health offering free testing to all clients who had received injections at the facility, which was subsequently closed.
In 2019, two more cases of HIV infection were discovered in individuals who had received facial treatments at VIP Spa in 2018. One individual was diagnosed in the early stages of HIV infection, while the other was hospitalized in 2023 with severe symptoms. The CDC found that the spa did not have a proper operating license and failed to implement appropriate safety measures.
An investigation by the CDC and the New Mexico Department of Health uncovered unsanitary practices at the spa, including unlabeled blood tubes stored in refrigerators and next to food, as well as improperly handled syringes. The spa owner was convicted of multiple health code violations in 2022 and sentenced to prison. In total, 59 customers were potentially exposed to HIV, with 20 of them undergoing the Vampire Facelift procedure.
The Vampire Facelift involves injecting platelet-rich plasma into the facial skin to improve its appearance. While some facilities use the client’s own blood to minimize risks, others source blood from outside. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that there is limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of this procedure.
HIV is primarily transmitted through contact with infected body fluids
