In a groundbreaking revelation, federal health officials have identified three cases of HIV transmission linked to cosmetic procedures, marking a significant milestone in public health awareness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) disclosed these findings in its recent Morbidity and Mortality Report, shedding light on the dangers posed by unregulated cosmetic practices.
According to the CDC report released last week, three women contracted HIV after undergoing “vampire facial” procedures at an unlicensed medical spa in New Mexico. This development marks the first documented instances of HIV transmission through a cosmetic procedure involving needles.
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The investigation, spanning from 2018 to 2023, uncovered alarming practices at the clinic, indicating the reuse of disposable equipment meant for single use. While the risk of HIV transmission through contaminated blood via unsterile injections is well-documented, this report underscores the previously unrecognized threat posed by cosmetic services.
Morbidity and Mortality Report last week that an investigation into the clinic from 2018 through 2023 showed it apparently reused disposable equipment intended for one-time use.
Common cosmetic treatments like Botox injections and fillers often utilize needles, as do procedures like “vampire facials” and tattoos. The latter, involving platelet-rich plasma microneedling, entails drawing a client’s blood, extracting its components, and injecting plasma into the face for skin rejuvenation.
The New Mexico Department of Health initiated its investigation in the summer of 2018 following reports of a woman in her 40s testing positive for HIV without identifiable risk factors. The woman disclosed exposure to needles during a procedure at the implicated clinic earlier that year.
Prompted by these alarming findings, the spa ceased operations in the fall of 2018, and its owner faced legal repercussions for practicing medicine without a license. The CDC report underscores the critical need for stringent infection control measures in establishments offering needle-based cosmetic procedures.
Furthermore, it highlights the importance of meticulous record-keeping practices, citing challenges encountered during the investigation due to inadequate documentation.
