3 women tested positive for HIV after receiving microneedling facials

Vampire facials were done an unlicensed spa in New Mexico

This has raised significant concerns about safety of cosmetic procedures

A recent incident involving three women testing positive for HIV after receiving microneedling facials, commonly known as “vampire facials,” at an unlicensed spa in New Mexico has raised significant concerns about the safety of cosmetic procedures.

The procedure, officially known as platelet-rich plasma microneedling, entails drawing blood from the patient and separating platelets for facial injection.

According to a report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the women likely contracted HIV at the unlicensed spa, prompting widespread alarm over the safety practices of such beauty establishments.

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The spa, previously shut down in 2018 for operating without a license and failing to adhere to proper infection control measures, had its owner incarcerated for practicing medicine without authorization.

The investigation revealed troubling practices at the facility, including the reuse of single-use equipment and the presence of unlabeled blood vials. Although the exact mode of transmission remains unclear, investigators suspect contaminated needles or reused blood vials may have played a role.

Health officials have swiftly alerted former spa clients to undergo HIV testing, with no additional cases identified among nearly 200 clients and their partners who underwent testing.

While vampire facials have gained popularity, particularly after being endorsed by celebrities like Kim Kardashian, this incident underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols and the risks associated with unlicensed cosmetic establishments.