A Prior Lake, Minnesota spa owner is facing criminal charges for allegedly administering unlicensed Botox-like products and weight loss drugs without proper medical credentials or oversight.

The owner has been charged with one count of unlawful practice of medicine, a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine. The charge follows a year-long investigation by Prior Lake police, initiated after a tip to the Minnesota Department of Health in 2024.

According to court documents, multiple witnesses reported that the owner injected clients with substances such as Botox, Juvederm, Ozempic, and semaglutide GLP-1 products without a nursing license or physician oversight. Some claimed she sourced products from China and referred to them as “black market” in texts and conversations. One witness said she learned injection techniques by watching YouTube videos.

Investigators also found that a doctor listed on the spa’s website as its medical director had never worked with the owner, was not licensed in Minnesota, and had not given permission for her name or photo to be used. Another physician who briefly served as medical director in 2023 said he terminated the relationship after learning of alleged black-market purchases and reported the spa to the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.

The complaint includes testimony from a former customer who experienced painful injections and later discovered that the product lot numbers did not match those of the manufacturer. Registered nurses cited in the investigation said they were either denied the opportunity to perform injections or declined to work with the owner after learning of her practices.

KARE 11 spoke with Krissy Humke, RN, LE, a medical spa owner with 25 years in the industry, about the use of counterfeit or unauthorized products. She emphasized that improper sourcing is highly unethical and undermines patient safety and the integrity of the medical aesthetics field. She warned that unregulated injections can lead to serious complications such as vascular occlusions, and encouraged people considering aesthetics to watch for red flags such as unusually low prices, high staff turnover and a lack of consistent care. 

Read more at KARE 11 >>

The case underscores the importance of proper licensure, medical supervision, and product sourcing in aesthetic medicine. It also highlights the need for industry stakeholders to advocate for consistent standards and enforcement. 

Join your State Chapter to take an active role in supporting safe, responsible med spas in your region. Access legislative support, network on a local level and elevate your practice with the collective wisdom of med spas who truly understand your business. Not already an AmSpa Plus Member? Enjoy full access to the webinar library, a treatment delegation table describing who can do what in your state, and many other resources curated for the needs of aesthetic professionals like you!