ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Three women have been infected with HIV after receiving vampire facials at a spa in New Mexico, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This marks the first known instances of HIV transmission during a cosmetic injection procedure, raising concerns about the safety of such treatments.

Vampire facials involve drawing blood from a person’s arm, separating out platelets, and then applying them to the patient’s face using microneedles. While considered a more affordable alternative to facelifts, the procedure can pose serious health risks if done in unsanitary conditions.

The contamination is believed to have originated at the VIP Spa in Albuquerque, leading to the discovery of the first case in 2018. Following this revelation, the spa was shut down by the New Mexico Department of Health after inspectors identified practices that could potentially spread blood-borne infections.

Subsequent testing revealed additional cases of HIV among former clients of the spa, prompting the CDC to investigate the facility’s practices. It was discovered that the spa lacked proper licenses, failed to implement adequate safety measures, and stored blood samples and injectables in unsanitary conditions.

The spa’s owner was found guilty of five felony counts of practicing medicine without a license and sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison. Investigators estimate that 59 spa clients may have been exposed to HIV, with 20 of them having received vampire facials.

As a precaution, the CDC advises individuals seeking medical or cosmetic injections to verify the provider’s credentials, ensure FDA-approved products are used, and inquire about the source of the materials. The investigation into the source of the HIV contamination at the spa remains ongoing, highlighting the importance of stringent safety measures in cosmetic procedures.