Los Angeles Woman Sues Celebrity Esthetician for Alleged Fraud
A woman from Los Angeles has filed a lawsuit against celebrity esthetician Sonya Dakar, claiming she was not authorized to carry out a chemical peel. The treatment reportedly resulted in “severe burns and permanent scarring” on her face.
In April 2021, she visited Dakar’s Beverly Hills Clinic, frequented by stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Drew Barrymore, and left with significant burns affecting her cheeks, under an eyebrow, and her forehead, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit asserts that during a facial, Sonya Dakar intentionally used an unidentified substance—possibly an acid—on the plaintiff’s face, leading to severe burns and lasting scars.
Nelson is seeking approximately $71,000 from Dakar, not primarily for the physical injuries, but for allegedly making “false statements” about her credentials, the treatment’s legality, and the authenticity of charges made.
Victoria Nelson, who runs Undeniable Entertainment, noted that she was inspired to go to Dakar back in 2019, motivated by struggles with acne at age 26.
She claims that Dakar billed her nearly $71,000 for treatments spanning from November 2019 to November 2023.
Despite the 2021 controversy over the chemical peel, Nelson described herself as a regular customer, having undergone roughly 30 sessions to rectify her skin issues.
A significant point of concern in her lawsuit relates to the charges she faced. She expressed confusion over a $6,495 fee on November 5, 2023, asserting she was sure she hadn’t authorized any such purchase.
Another troubling aspect involves the licensing of Dakar’s clinic. The establishment’s permit lapsed in September 2021, as revealed by records from the California Barber and Cosmetology Board. The board later revoked the clinic’s license in April 2022, citing issues like the possession of advanced medical equipment and obstruction during inspections.
Subsequently, a new license was issued to the clinic in March 2024, valid until 2026, while the board has initiated legal action against Dakar.
Records indicate they responded to a complaint from a consumer identified as “VN” in February 2024, who experienced “severe chemical burns” that caused substantial harm.
An August 2024 examination uncovered that a high-frequency microneedling device was present in the clinic. Nelson claimed in her lawsuit that some of the procedures carried out exceeded the legal capabilities of an esthetician’s license in California.
She also mentioned in a TikTok post that microneedling was intended to address the damage to her skin. Recently, the board’s deputy executive officer called for a public hearing regarding the allegations made by Nelson, but details remain uncertain.
Dakar has held an esthetician license in California since 1979, with its current status set to expire in 2027. There was a past disciplinary action in 2011, resulting in three years of probation linked to an incident involving an inspector.
In addition to the current lawsuit and board complaint, Nelson had filed a medical malpractice suit against Dakar in 2024, which she retracted a few weeks later, stating complications with insurance coverage.
Sharing her experiences on TikTok, she noted that her posts about her “permanent disfigurement” from the chemical peel garnered significant attention, reaching nearly 10 million views.
“It’s something I’m acutely aware of. It’s the first thing I notice when I wake up, and the last before I sleep,” she confessed, referring to the lingering effects of the treatment.
In more recent TikTok updates, Nelson indicated that her legal actions aim to promote greater transparency within an industry that many, including herself, depend on.
