Celebrity Skincare Guru Faces Legal Heat Over Alleged Facial Disaster

Victoria Nelson's Legal Battle

Victoria Nelson has taken legal action against celebrity esthetician Sonya Dakar, claiming a facial treatment left her face "permanently damaged." Nelson shared her ordeal on TikTok, which has since gone viral, amassing over 9 million views. She has partnered with the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology and Attorney General Rob Bonta to file a complaint, alleging that Dakar's treatment caused irreparable harm and has cost her tens of thousands of dollars to attempt to rectify.

“It’s a pretty scarring, literally, experience for me,” Nelson confessed in her TikTok video.

The Treatment Gone Wrong

Nelson began visiting Dakar's clinic in Beverly Hills in late 2019 with hopes of clearing her acne. She described Dakar as not just an esthetician but more like a "LA mom," providing sessions that were "half skincare, half therapy." Yet, in April 2021, during a routine facial, Dakar recommended a peel that Nelson agreed to. The liquid solution applied to her face began to burn and sting immediately, and Nelson wasn't provided any eye protection. When the solution was rinsed off, Nelson discovered what she thought was cream was actually burned skin. Dakar assured her the burn would heal, but Nelson's attempts to fix the damage have been extensive and costly.

Mounting Costs and Ongoing Struggles

Nelson has undergone numerous treatments, including 18 aggressive microneedling sessions in 2021 and 12 in 2022, all in vain attempts to repair the damage. By 2023, she and Dakar had ceased communication, and Nelson learned the solution used might have been "medical grade," something an esthetician like Dakar shouldn't have access to. Despite spending around $60,000, Nelson remains self-conscious about the scars left on her face.

Controversy Surrounding Sonya Dakar

Dakar, whose clientele boasts names like Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jennifer Lopez, has faced past allegations. In 2008, she was accused of assaulting a board inspector, and more recently, in 2023, was found to be operating an unlicensed establishment. Additionally, in 2020, former employees sued her for discrimination. While Dakar's clinic has not responded to requests for comment, Nelson speculates that Dakar's practices might reflect broader issues within the skincare industry.

Celebrities like Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz have previously praised Dakar on VH1's "The Fabulous Life of..." Barrymore even remarked she couldn't imagine life without Dakar's expertise. However, the current lawsuit and past controversies cast a shadow over Dakar's reputation as a "skincare guru."