Trendy Vampire facials linked to cases of HIV

Vampire facials linked to HIV cases: is the beauty treatment safe?

This popularized treatment, when your blood is used for anti-aging functions, became a trend due to celebrities telling the public that this was the key to their youthful look. Many can say that this is an investment in your beauty and advertise the facial. However, the CDC reports that the investigation revealed a lot of details.

CDC highlights the potential risks of HIV transmission through the injectable cosmetic procedure that is called a vampire facial. The reports already linked three HIV diagnoses to women who got the facial at an unlicensed medical spa in New Mexico^[1].

The procedure uses the micro-needling method and can be generally safe when performed in licensed facilities. However, when it is done without appropriate infection control practices and when medical care providers are not licensed properly, the treatment might create more issues and pose risks than benefits for the receiver.

A new report from April 25th connects three cases of HIV in women who got "vampire facials" at a spa in New Mexico. These facials involve taking blood from a person and returning the platelets to their face. The report says the HIV spread at the spa because of infected blood from somewhere. These women didn't have any usual risks for HIV.

The study followed people who went to the spa from 2018 to 2023 and got HIV. They found 59 people who might have been exposed to HIV, 20 from vampire facials, and 39 from other injections like Botox. This report is the first time HIV has spread through these kinds of cosmetic injections. The authors of the report think doctors should think about these kinds of procedures as a risk for HIV. They say spas can prevent this by being careful with infections and keeping clients' records^[2].

What's a vampire facial?

A vampire facial, also called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with micro-needling, is a simple, non-surgical beauty treatment performed by dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons in licensed places like medical spas. Sometimes, a vampire facial at a medical spa can be cheaper than one at a cosmetic surgeon's office.

During a vampire facial, blood is taken from the client, and the platelet-rich plasma is separated using a machine. Then, it's put back into the face using tiny needles. A hyaluronic acid filler might also be added to make the skin look plumper and younger.

Vampire facials and other skin treatments are usually quick, and you don't need much time to recover. People often see them as ways to make the face and body look younger. Some people who like this treatment say it helps with wrinkles, signs of aging, and even acne scars.

These cool-sounding and looking vampire facials aren't for everyone, and they might have some bad side effects. Even Kim Kardashian, who made them famous over ten years ago, has said she wishes she hadn't gotten one.

Vampire facials are generally safe, and in licensed facilities with adequate infection control practices, these treatments could be beneficial and totally safe. Skin treatments with needles are common and considered safe, but it is crucial that they are administered in certified places.

Popular treatments for youthfulness: cheaper does not mean better or even safe

Experts like the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery offer guidance for finding a licensed cosmetic surgeon that suits your needs and has the proper licenses and education to provide the treatment you want or need. These procedures are not pleasant ones and can be uncomfortable or painful for some.

However, even though vampire facials and other treatments that include needles should be safe, there are some side effects. These can include bleeding, swelling, bruising, redness, and tenderness. Those side effects are known to occur when the procedure is performed properly. It is unknown when the procedure is received in unlicensed places like spas in New Mexico and other places.

The CDC found that the New Mexico spa didn't follow rules to stop infections, which led to HIV spreading among some customers^[3]. Dr. William Schaffner from Vanderbilt University Medical Center explained that HIV can spread in places where they don't follow infection control rules properly. For instance, using tools like scalpels or needles again when they're meant for just one use.

Another way is when a needle used on one person is put into a medicine vial meant for someone else. This can make the vial dirty. Then, when another needle goes into the vial, even if it's clean, it can pick up the dirty stuff and pass it to another person. Dr. Schaffner said HIV usually spreads from one patient to another, not from the doctor or caregiver.

He also said that people with HIV can get vampire facials safely if it's done in a clean place with proper rules. If the HIV is being treated well, it's unlikely to spread. So, there's no need to stop people with HIV from getting these facials as long as the place follows strict infection control rules.