Client Alleges Celebrity Esthetician Sonya Dakar Caused Permanent Facial Damage, Reveals Licensing Issues

Los Angeles, CA - A distressing account has emerged from Victoria Nelson, who alleges that a routine facial performed by celebrity esthetician Sonya Dakar in April 2021 led to severe burns and permanent scarring on her face. Nelson, a former loyal client who had previously praised Dakar for clearing her acne, detailed her ordeal in a public statement, presenting photographic evidence of the damage. According to Nelson, during a standard facial appointment, Dakar insisted on concluding the session with a peel. Nelson experienced immediate burning and stinging, which she initially dismissed as normal for a peel. However, upon checking her phone's front-facing camera, she discovered white patches on her skin, which she quickly realized were burns. "I immediately snapped these photos and sent them to my group chat where my friends immediately started freaking out," Nelson stated. Following the incident, Nelson continued to seek treatment from Dakar, undergoing approximately 18 sessions in 2021 and 12 in 2022, which often included aggressive microneedling. These treatments, aimed at correcting the damage, cost Nelson an estimated $30,000. Despite Dakar's assurances that her skin would be "perfect in one month," Nelson's condition reportedly worsened, leading to scabbing, pain, and emotional distress. Nelson eventually consulted a dermatologist in July 2022, who expressed concern that Dakar had not immediately referred her to a burn unit or plastic surgeon. The dermatologist also questioned the contents of the peel, noting that an esthetician's licensed products should not cause such severe damage. Further investigation by Nelson revealed that Sonya Dakar's esthetician license has a "DELINQUENT" status and a "PRIOR DISCIPLINE" record with the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Additionally, microneedling is listed as a "PROHIBITED/OUT OF SCOPE" service for estheticians under California regulations. Nelson has since spent an additional $30,000 on laser treatments and other procedures with different professionals in an attempt to restore her skin, bringing her total expenditure to approximately $60,000. She expresses profound disappointment and a lack of accountability from Dakar, stating, "To feel like this person wasn't looking out for me in the way I'd hoped is just really disappointing at the end of the day." Nelson hopes her story will serve as a warning to others, emphasizing the importance of verifying professional licenses and understanding the scope of services offered.