The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) linked at least three cases to a defunct New Mexico spa that was already under investigation for possible HIV exposure from "vampire facials."

According to a recent USA Today report, New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) last July advised former VIP Spa customers in downtown Albuquerque to undergo testing after verifying an HIV infection. The DOH warned that "injection-related services," such as vampire facials and Botox injections, might have caused blood-borne illnesses.

Risky Spa Practices

After a state inspection, the spa closed on September 7, 2018, but tested 100 previous clients in 2019. Researchers believe that spa activities may have transmitted HIV, hepatitis B, and C.

Two HIV infections were found in 2019, likely connected to spa services. In 2023, the DOH's Infectious Disease Bureau got a complaint linking another HIV infection to the spa's "vampire facial" or "PRP facial."

Following this discovery, the establishment of free testing stations led to the identification of five HIV patients in 2023, including four women receiving spa treatments and one man who was a patient's sexual partner.

Investigations showed that spring and summer 2018 spa contaminations caused HIV transmission to these individuals. The 59 customers at risk of exposure had no further HIV infections or hepatitis B or C infections, according to the CDC.

The autumn 2018 spa inspection found unlabeled blood tubes and medical injectables kept with food, unwrapped syringes, and insufficient cleaning.

The CDC said that HIV transmission through unsterile needles is well documented, but this study is the first to link HIV to nonsterile cosmetic injection services. Former clients receive free testing while the health authorities continue their inquiry.

Read Also: Bird Flu in Milk? Early Tests Spark Caution, But FDA Reassures Consumers 

(Photo : NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

A woman gets a facial skin treatment as others get a massage during a Spa Day for homeless and at-risk women organized by ThriveDC, an organization fighting homelessness, in Washington, DC, on February 12, 2016.

What is Vampire Facial?

The method of "vampire facial" collects platelets from venous blood on the face. Microneedling reintroduces platelets into the scalp, cheeks, and brow, according to WION. Although scientific evidence is limited, proponents claim that increased platelet concentration speeds healing and reduces wrinkles, scars, and other age-related flaws.

Before such operations, consult a skilled, board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. This provides competent therapy oversight. Unlicensed or poorly sterilized PRP treatments can be dangerous.

According to HIV.gov, in 2022, 1.3 million people contracted HIV, a 38% drop from 2010 and 59% from 1995; 46% of HIV infections were in women and girls.

In the same year, 86% of HIV-positive persons worldwide knew their status. Notably, about 14% or 5.5 million individuals did not realize they had HIV and needed HIV testing, which is necessary for prevention, treatment, care, and support. Health authorities campaign for global HIV status awareness to reach 95% by 2025.

Meanwhile, Global AIDS eradication requires HIV treatment availability. Antiretroviral treatment (ART) was available to 29.8 million HIV-positive persons (76% of the worldwide total) in 2022.  HIV patients who know their status, use ART as directed, and maintain an undetectable viral load can live long, healthy lives and not spread HIV through sex.  

Related Article: Final Skin Cancer Vaccine, Giving Hope to Those Affected