Federal health officials said that three women have been diagnosed with HIV after undergoing a “vampire facial” procedure at an unlicensed spa in New Mexico, believed to be the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through a cosmetic procedure involving needles.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated in its report on disease incidence and mortality rates last week that an investigation into the clinic from 2018 to 2023 showed that it appeared to have reused disposable equipment intended for single use.

While the transmission of HIV from contaminated blood through unsterilized injection is a known risk, the report noted that this is the first documentation of a potential infection involving cosmetic services.

Many common cosmetic treatments are administered using needles, such as Botox to eliminate wrinkles and fillers to plump lips, and the “vampire facial” or platelet-rich plasma procedure involves drawing the client’s blood, separating its components, and then using tiny needles to inject the plasma into the face to rejuvenate the skin. Tattoos also require needles.

The New Mexico Department of Health began investigating the spa in the summer of 2018 after being notified that a woman in her forties tested positive for HIV despite having no known risk factors. The woman reported exposure to needles through the procedure performed at the clinic in the spring of that year.

The spa was shut down in the fall of 2018 following the opening of the investigation, and its owner was prosecuted for practicing medicine without a license.

The report found that the investigation highlighted the importance of requiring infection control practices in businesses that offer cosmetic procedures involving needles.

It also noted that the investigation was slowed down due to poor record-keeping and stated that businesses providing such services should keep better records in case they need to contact clients later.