A recent arrest in Orlando has brought to light the alarming dangers associated with unlicensed cosmetic procedures, as a woman faces multiple charges after a “double chin” removal treatment left a patient with severe injuries including necrosis.

Gabriela Pereira, 29, was apprehended following an investigation by the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, which detailed her alleged performance of an Endolaser procedure without the necessary medical credentials. The incident, which occurred on April 16, 2024, at Tonya Beauty in Orlando, highlights critical issues surrounding public safety within the unregulated beauty industry.

During the Endolaser treatment, the patient reportedly sustained significant burns due to the laser being left on her chin for an excessive duration. These laser burns led to painful blistering and, more critically, necrosis, a severe condition involving the death of body tissue, according to investigators’ reports.

In a disturbing attempt to mitigate the damage, Pereira allegedly instructed the customer to return for an astounding eight follow-up treatments. Throughout these sessions, she reportedly continued to pose as a qualified technician, further exploiting the patient’s trust and compounding the initial harm.

The gravity of Pereira’s alleged actions is reflected in the extensive charges she now faces. These include nine counts of practicing medicine without a license, an equal number of counts for practicing a health care profession without a valid license, and two counts related to dispensing medical drugs without proper authorization.

This case, unfortunately, is not an isolated incident within Florida. Authorities in the state had previously made an arrest in early July involving another individual accused of operating outside legal medical boundaries, resulting in serious patient harm. That separate investigation concerned a woman who experienced facial paralysis after receiving a Botox injection.

In the parallel case, Rosa Mena allegedly conducted her unlicensed operations from a residential backyard spa. She reportedly claimed to have been a doctor in the Dominican Republic; however, her professional documentation was found to be expired and invalid, underscoring a pattern of deceptive practices.

A subsequent search warrant executed at Mena’s property revealed a disturbing array of medical-grade equipment. Investigators discovered medical beds, vials, needles, fat sculpting machines, micro-needling equipment, laser hair removal devices, and even liposuction machines, indicating a wide range of unauthorized health procedures being performed.

These incidents collectively serve as a stark warning to the public regarding the critical importance of verifying the credentials of individuals performing cosmetic and medical treatments, emphasizing the potential health risks when engaging with unlicensed practitioners in the pursuit of beauty enhancements.