A recent report on women who contracted HIV after receiving a "vampire facial" has raised questions about the safety of some cosmetic procedures.

At least three women were infected at a spa in New Mexico in 2018, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that said the cases shed light on new ways the infection can spread.

They are believed to be the first-ever HIV transmissions related to a cosmetic procedure documented in the US.

But what exactly is a "vampire facial", and how did the women contract HIV after receiving it? And what can people do to keep themselves safe from infection when getting cosmetic treatments?

Here is a breakdown of what we know and what experts recommend.

What is a Vampire Facial?

The term is a colloquial one for platelet-rich plasma - or PRP - facials.

It involves drawing a patient's blood and then separating out platelet-rich plasma from it using a centrifuge.

The plasma is then injected back into the face through tiny needle punctures.

The procedure is said to help repair the skin's barrier by stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin, which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and acne scars.

It has been around for a while - reality television star Kim Kardashian shared a selfie post-procedure in 2013 where her face appeared bloody.

A few years later Ms Kardashian said that she would not get the treatment again, writing on her website that it was "really rough and painful for me."