Celeb esthetician loses license after client says she was left ‘permanently scarred’

Key Points:

• Celebrity esthetician Sonya Dakar surrendered her esthetician and establishment licenses following allegations of causing severe burns and permanent scarring to client Victoria Nelson during a 2021 chemical peel, as well as accusations of assaulting a board inspector.
• The California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology reached a settlement with Dakar, barring her from license reinstatement for three years without proof of rehabilitation and requiring payment of fines totaling nearly $89,000 split between the board and Nelson.
• Nelson's ongoing civil lawsuit against Dakar alleges false representations about Dakar’s qualifications and unauthorized procedures, seeking approximately $71,000 in damages; the lawsuit remains active despite the administrative settlement.
• Nelson, who has publicly shared her experience and permanent facial disfigurement on TikTok, expressed relief over the administrative case's resolution and encouraged others to speak out against similar provider misconduct.
• Dakar has not issued any public statements regarding the allegations or settlement, and a planned hearing where Nelson was to testify was canceled due to the out-of-court settlement.