Five cases of HIV they have been described following a beauty treatment known as a “vampire facelift” or vampire facial. This procedure, formally called Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)involves extracting platelets from the patient’s blood via centrifugation, followed by subcutaneous injection of plasma enriched with growth factors.
What is the vampire facelift?
The vampire facelift it is a popular beauty procedure, even promoted by famous people such as Kim Kardashian. During treatment, the patient undergoing PRP may experience a temporarily “bloody” appearance due to the small red spots that appear on the face.
How is the treatment performed?
- Blood collection: The patient’s blood is drawn.
- Centrifugation: The blood is centrifuged to separate the platelets.
- Removal of cell bodies: Platelets are isolated from plasma and red blood cells.
- Plasma treatment: Platelet-rich plasma is prepared for injection.
- Subcutaneous injection: Platelet-rich plasma is injected into desired areas of the face to improve skin tone and reduce wrinkles.
Risks associated with PRP
Although the treatment is considered safe when performed in authorized facilities and following safety regulations, there are significant risks when performed in unauthorized centers. These risks are mainly related to the use of blood and injection devices. In the case of the five HIV-infected individuals, the treatment was performed in an unlicensed beauty center that did not follow recommended infection control procedures.
Conclusions on HIV cases after the vampire facelift
The case of the five individuals infected with HIV highlights the importance of choosing authorized beauty centers and trusting only qualified professionals for such procedures. Before undergoing any beauty treatment, it is essential to check the credentials of the facility and ensure that appropriate safety regulations are followed.
