The diagnosis of a forty-year-old woman who received the therapy at an unlicensed clinic in New Mexico prompted an investigation into the spa.
According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it was discovered that between 2018 and 2023, the spa purportedly reprocessed disposable equipment meant for single use.
Although it is commonly known that unsterile injections can spread HIV due to contaminated blood, the CDC claims that this is the first instance of an infection linked to cosmetic procedures.
Once identified, the virus may harm immune system cells, impairing an individual’s ability to fend off common infections and illness.
Currently, there is no cure, although there are extremely good pharmacological options.
Using the patient’s own blood, the components are separated, and then small needles are used to inject plasma into the face to rejuvenate the skin. This technique is commonly referred to as a “vampire facial” or platelet-rich plasma microneedling.
