The Vampire Facelift, a cosmetic procedure that involves injecting plasma from blood cells into the face to improve its appearance, has been linked to three cases of women becoming infected with HIV after receiving blood cell injections for wrinkle removal and facelift procedures. These cases were disclosed during a meeting on April 26 by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
One of these cases was identified at VIP Spa in Albuquerque, Mexico, in 2018. The patient had received blood cell injections at the spa but denied engaging in high-risk behaviors such as drug use, blood transfusions, or sex with HIV-infected individuals. However, this incident led to the New Mexico Department of Health offering free testing to all clients who had received injections at the facility. As a result, the spa was closed.
In 2019, two more cases of HIV infection were discovered in individuals who had received facial treatments at VIP Spa in 2018. One individual was diagnosed in the early stages of HIV infection while another was hospitalized with severe symptoms. The CDC found that the spa did not have a proper operating license and failed to implement appropriate safety measures. An investigation by the CDC and the New Mexico Department of Health uncovered unsanitary practices at the spa, including unlabeled blood tubes stored in refrigerators and next to food as well as improperly handled syringes. The spa owner was convicted of multiple health code violations and sentenced to prison. In total, 59 customers were potentially exposed to HIV, with 20 of them undergoing the Vampire Facelift procedure.
The Vampire Facelift is a popular cosmetic procedure that involves injecting platelet-rich plasma into the facial skin to improve its appearance. While some facilities use their own client’s blood to minimize risks, others source blood from outside suppliers. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that there is limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of this procedure. It is important for cosmetic facilities offering injection services to follow stringent protocols for infection control measures to prevent transmission of HIV and other blood-borne pathogens.
HIV is primarily transmitted through contact with infected body fluids such as blood and semen. Proper infection control measures are essential when performing such procedures in cosmetic facilities.
The CDC emphasizes that following stringent protocols is crucial when performing injection services for cosmetic purposes to ensure client safety while minimizing risks associated with these procedures.