What happens when trust in a "celebrity facialist" costs you your face?

Dr. Kate Dee breaks down how an esthetician with a celebrity client list got away with performing medical procedures without a medical license or oversight for years. Victoria Nelson’s account on TikTok went viral recently. She had walked into a Hollywood spa with acne and walked out with permanent scars. 

The woman she trusted, Sonya Dakar, self-proclaimed "Skin Ninja" to the stars, promised flawless skin but delivered chemical burns, unauthorized medical procedures, and charged $30,000 for treatments to fix the injury she allegedly caused Victoria. 

Key Takeaways:

• How to verify if someone is legally allowed to perform the treatment they're offering you
• The warning signs of high-pressure sales tactics disguised as skincare advice
• What to do immediately if a treatment goes wrong 

Dr. Kate walks you through the difference between legal esthetic treatments and the medical procedures this esthetician performed without proper licensing or oversight.

Walk away with exact questions to ask before letting anyone touch your skin with a chemical peel, microneedling device, or any treatment that sounds "no big deal." You'll learn how to spot practitioners who prioritize their wallet over your safety, and why free treatments from Instagram influencer outreach often come with hidden costs.

Stay until the end to hear Dr. Kate's simple checklist for vetting any esthetician or med spa before your first appointment. Your skin is permanent, so make sure the person treating it is actually qualified to do so.

Listen and learn how to protect yourself from predatory practitioners who hide behind celebrity endorsements.

Victoria’s Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@victoria.nelson?lang=en

Articles:  https://people.com/woman-accuses-celebrity-facialist-permanently-scarring-her-face-11802854

https://nypost.com/2025/09/11/health/celeb-aesthetician-sonya-dakar-left-me-burned-and-scarr

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MORE FROM DR. KATE DEE

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before any aesthetic procedure.

Some episodes include anonymous or secondhand accounts; while accuracy is a priority, these stories represent individual experiences. Verify credentials, do your research, and always prioritize your safety.