At least three women contracted HIV while undergoing cosmetic “vampire facials” at an unlicensed spa in Albuquerque, federal authorities announced Thursday. This is the first recorded case of HIV infection through a cosmetic injection service.
The three were part of a cluster of five people who shared very similar strains of HIV, four of whom had undergone a procedure called platelet-rich plasma microneedling at the spa. A fifth man had sexual relations with one of the women.
Investigators still do not know the exact source of the contamination. A public health investigation was conducted after a client who reported no behavioral risk factors was diagnosed with HIV in 2018 and claimed she had undergone a needle-based beauty treatment called a platelet-rich plasma microneedling facial. I was disappointed.
An inspection of the spa found unlabeled blood tubes lying on the kitchen counter, other blood tubes stored in the refrigerator with food, and unwrapped syringes in drawers and trash cans. It was done.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report said the facility appeared to be reusing disposable equipment intended for single use only.
The report comes after health officials announced earlier this month that they were investigating a series of illnesses linked to counterfeit or improper injections of Botox, which contains large amounts of botulinum toxin, which is used in small doses to smooth wrinkles. It was then announced.
“If people are concerned, and I've had friends ask me, 'What would you do?', the first step is to find out if the provider is licensed to provide cosmetic injectable services. to make sure,” said Anna M. Stadelman Behar. She is an epidemiologist at the CDC and lead author of the HIV report.
“Being licensed means you are trained in infection control and know the correct procedures, and you are required by law to follow good infection control practices.”
Overall, she noted, the risk of infection during cosmetic procedures is generally low. “If you're concerned, go get an HIV test,” says Dr. Stadelman-Behar. “CDC recommends that all adults ages 13 to 64 get tested at least once as part of their routine medical care to know their status.”
The so-called vampire facial involves taking the patient's own blood, putting it in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma, and using very thin, short needles to puncture the skin.
This is said to promote skin elasticity and collagen production, creating an opening for plasma to be applied topically to help repair the skin. This procedure is recommended to reduce signs of aging, acne scars, and sun damage.
The New Mexico Department of Health began investigating the spa after receiving reports of unusual HIV infections in 2018, when a woman was first diagnosed with HIV. Over time, authorities believe that between 2018 and 2023, fewer people will be diagnosed with HIV, even though the risks associated with infection, such as injection drug use, blood transfusions, and sexual contact with new partners, are largely unreported. Four former clients and one sexual partner have been identified.
The spa closed in the fall of 2018, shortly after the first unusual infection was identified. But the investigation was hampered by the spa's poor records, as were attempts to notify customers and former customers of possible HIV exposure.
Investigators were eventually able to compile a list of names and phone numbers from customer-signed consent forms, handwritten reservation records, and telephone contacts. They identified 59 clients at risk of infection, including 20 who received “vampire facials” and 39 who received other services such as Botox between spring and fall 2018.
Public health investigators also reached out to the community about the risks to the spa's former customers. Overall, 198 former spa customers and their sexual partners were tested for HIV between 2018 and 2023.
It has been confirmed that five people who carried a very similar virus were infected by hot springs. However, two of the people – a woman who was a client and her male partner – had active HIV infection, which investigators said was likely caused by an earlier infection before the spa treatment. .
According to the report, two people in the cluster tested positive for rapid HIV tests taken when applying for life insurance, one of whom was tested in 2016 before receiving treatment at the spa, and one of whom tested positive in 2016 before receiving treatment at the spa. He was inspected in the fall of 2018.
However, only one person was notified of a positive test result in 2019 and had the diagnosis confirmed by their primary care provider.
Investigators said they were unable to determine the exact route of contamination at the spa during the spring and summer of 2018.
“When we tested the spa, it was clear that the needles were being reused, and it was clear that the blood samples were being reused,” Dr. Städelman-Behar said. “We found vials that had been punctured multiple times, with no labels, no dates of birth, and no dates of collection.”
She advises people undergoing this type of cosmetic procedure to have a health care provider open the syringe or vial in front of them, and when drawing blood, make sure the vial is properly marked with their name, date of birth, and date of blood draw. I advised them to make sure that they are. .
“But the biggest takeaway is that licensing is extremely important,” she said.