CDC links HIV cases rising to illegal "vampire facelift" procedures
11:02 AM EDT, April 29, 2024
The American federal medical agency, the CDC, has confirmed the first case of HIV infection linked to a cosmetic procedure. Three individuals contracted HIV after undergoing a procedure known as a vampire facelift at an unlicensed clinic, according to a report by ABC.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dedicated to public health protection, officially acknowledged this unprecedented case. This revelation came from findings from an investigation that ABC reported.
Victim of the "vampire facelift"
The CDC's investigation revealed that three people were infected with HIV following a vampire facelift performed at an illegal clinic lacking the necessary licenses.
After years of meticulous investigation, the CDC concluded that the clinic likely reused disposable needles for multiple procedures.
The danger of contracting HIV through the use of inadequately sterilized needles is well-documented. However, ABC stressed that this is the first documented case of HIV transmission via a cosmetic procedure.
The investigation led to clarification
The vampire facelift, or platelet-rich plasma mesotherapy, involves injecting the patient's own plasma back into their skin. A critical error was identified when a patient with no known HIV risk factors was diagnosed with the virus. This discovery prompted an investigation that ultimately resulted in the shutdown of the New Mexico clinic and legal action against its owner.