In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted an investigation into an unlicensed New Mexico medical spa after a woman in her 40s tested positive for HIV. The woman had no known risk factors, but had recently undergone a “vampire facial” procedure at the clinic.
The CDC found that the clinic reused disposable equipment intended for one-time use, which is a known risk factor for HIV transmission from contaminated blood through unsterile injection. This was the first documented case of people contracting the virus through a cosmetic procedure using needles.
Popular cosmetic treatments such as Botox and fillers are delivered with needles, and tattoos also require needles. A “vampire facial” involves using needles to inject plasma into the face to rejuvenate the skin, while tattoos involve inserting ink into the skin with needles.
The New Mexico Department of Health began investigating the spa in summer 2018 and closed it in fall 2018. The owner was prosecuted for practicing medicine without a license. The CDC report highlighted the importance of infection control practices at businesses offering cosmetic procedures involving needles, as well as keeping better records in case clients need to be contacted later. Poor record-keeping hindered the investigation further, emphasizing the importance of proper record-keeping practices at such establishments.
