CDC investigates HIV transmission from microneedling facials

Last week, in a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), the United States CDC revealed the first documented case of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission through cosmetic needles. The report identified “vampire facials,” also known as microneedling facials, as the likely cause of disease transmission.

According to the CDC, this investigation was triggered when a woman between the ages of 40 and 50 was diagnosed with HIV in the summer of 2018. The report, which was sent to the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH), noted that this individual did not have any known HIV risk factors, but she did report receiving a cosmetic platelet-rich plasma (PRP) microneedling facial, which exposed her to needles. The CDC notes that this type of facial involves drawing and separating the client’s blood into its components. Then, it uses “single-use disposable or multiuse sterile equipment to inject the PRP into the face for cosmetic purposes, such as skin rejuvenation and reducing the appearance of acne scars.”

Additional investigations into the spa identified four former clients and one sexual partner of a client who were diagnosed with HIV despite low behavioral risk.

An inquisition into the spa, referred to as Spa A, found that the owner was operating without appropriate licenses and did not keep proper logs of client contact information, making at-risk individuals challenging to identify and contact. The investigative team managed to compile a record of potentially at-risk clients by cross-referencing and compiling client names and contact information from consent forms, written appointment records, and telephone communication.

The list included 59 clients; 20 of these clients received PRP injections with microneedling, while the remainder received other kinds of injection services.

“This investigation underscores the importance of determining possible novel sources of HIV transmission among persons with no known HIV risk factors. Requiring adequate infection control practices at spa facilities offering cosmetic injection services can help prevent the transmission of HIV and other bloodborne pathogens. Maintenance of client records could facilitate investigations of suspected transmission at such facilities,” concluded the CDC Report.