A woman has filed a lawsuit against California-based celebrity facialist Sonya Dakar, alleging that a chemical peel treatment at Dakar’s Beverly Hills studio left her with permanent facial scarring and severe chemical burns.
The lawsuit, filed by Victoria Nelson, relates to a procedure carried out in April 2021 and raises serious questions about safety, transparency and licensing practices in the cosmetic skincare industry.
Allegations of severe burns
According to the complaint, Nelson claims Dakar applied an unknown chemical substance to her face during the treatment, which caused intense burning and stinging. After the solution was washed off, Nelson allegedly discovered visible burns on her skin.
She said Dakar assured her that the injuries would heal within a month with follow-up treatments. However, Nelson claims that despite undergoing 18 sessions in 2021 and another 12 sessions in 2022, the damage persisted.
In total, she alleges she spent nearly $60,000 on corrective procedures, yet continues to live with permanent scarring.
Lawsuit and damages sought
Nelson’s lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $35,000 (approximately ₹31.48 lakh) and includes claims of fraud, unfair competition, unlawful business practices and unlicensed practice of medicine. She is also seeking punitive damages.
Explaining her decision to pursue legal action, Nelson wrote on Instagram that the lawsuit aims “to bring more transparency to an industry that so many young women, including myself, have put our trust in.”
Attorney General complaint
Nelson also revealed that on November 18, the California Attorney General’s office filed a separate complaint against Dakar, seeking permanent revocation of both her establishment licence and esthetician licence.
While both licences are currently listed as active on the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology’s website, they reportedly carry a flag noting the Attorney General’s accusation.
Licensing concerns raised
According to Nelson, multiple professionals later advised her that the substance used may have been medical-grade and outside the legal scope of an esthetician’s practice. She also claimed that microneedling procedures used to treat her burns were not permitted under Dakar’s licence.
The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology states that estheticians are not authorised to use medical-grade products or perform procedures such as microneedling, stressing that licensees are responsible for understanding the limits of their practice.
The case has reignited debate around regulation and accountability in the cosmetic treatment industry, especially as demand for aesthetic procedures continues to grow globally.