In 2018, three women in New Mexico were diagnosed with HIV after undergoing “vampire facial” treatments at VIP Spa in Albuquerque, a medical spa that was later found to be unlicensed. This marks the first known incident in the U.S. where HIV was transmitted through a cosmetic procedure involving needles.

Vampire facials, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) facials, involve extracting the patient’s blood, processing it to increase the concentration of platelets, and then reinjecting it into the facial tissue. The treatment became popular after being highlighted by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian.

An investigation conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that the spa had engaged in multiple unsafe practices, including the reuse of disposable needles and poor storage and handling of medical and blood supplies. These unsafe practices were evidenced in the similar HIV strains found in the infected women, pointing to the spa as the common source of infection.

Following these findings, the spa was shut down, and its owner, Maria de Lourdes Ramos de Ruiz, was prosecuted. She was found guilty of practicing medicine without a license among other charges and was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison.

The CDC emphasizes the importance of proper infection control procedures, especially in facilities offering treatments involving injections. This case highlighted the risks of contamination and the critical need for adherence to safety standards in cosmetic procedures. The American Academy of Dermatology reaffirms that while vampire facials can be safe when performed correctly, the procedure’s safety largely depends on the sterility and proper handling of all medical products used.