A Florida woman has been charged with 20 felonies after performing a series of illegal cosmetic procedures at an Orlando medical spa, leaving a patient with severe burns, blisters, and necrosis on her chin.
Gabriela Pereira, 29, was arrested on Friday in connection to the botched Endolaser treatment that resulted in serious harm to the patient.
The Botched Procedure
Pereira was working at Tonya Beauty in Orlando, a medical spa that came under investigation after multiple reports of unlicensed practitioners performing medical procedures. On April 16, 2024, Pereira conducted an Endolaser treatment on a patient’s chin. The patient left the procedure with burns that eventually blistered and became necrotic.
Afterward, Pereira offered to treat the patient multiple times for free in exchange for using her as a “model” to showcase her work. Despite the patient’s worsening condition, Pereira continued performing treatments, attempting to fix the damage, but the patient’s symptoms only grew worse.
Investigations and Previous Warnings
The Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI) had received multiple tips about Tonya Beauty as early as February 2023. One tipster noted that someone at the spa was performing Botox treatments without being a licensed practitioner.
The investigation uncovered several expired licenses and a cease and desist order previously issued to the spa’s owner, Tonya Silva Pereira.
Despite warnings, the spa continued operating with unlicensed personnel. Investigators also found that Gabriela Pereira was performing cosmetic procedures without the proper medical credentials.
The Patient’s Worsening Condition
The patient initially sought Botox treatments from Gabriela Pereira but later requested a procedure to reduce her double chin. The treatment went wrong when Pereira reportedly left the Endolaser on her chin for too long, causing burns.
The patient experienced severe symptoms, including a large blister, and was advised by Pereira that these side effects were “normal.”
As the pain and infection worsened, the woman sought help from a health clinic, where she was told the situation was serious enough for hospitalization. She was eventually diagnosed with necrosis of the chin area, a condition where tissue dies due to lack of blood supply, and was treated at Orlando Health Hospital.
Despite the hospital visit, the patient continued to return to Tonya Beauty for more treatments. Pereira warned her that the infection could be fatal if not treated.
Legal Charges and Arrest
After a thorough investigation, Gabriela Pereira was charged with 20 felonies, including practicing medicine without a license and unlicensed practice of a healthcare professional. Pereira was granted $29,750 bond and was released from custody.
The incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed medical procedures and the risks associated with seeking treatment from individuals who are not qualified to perform these tasks. Tonya Beauty and its operators are under scrutiny, and the case brings attention to the ongoing issue of unregulated cosmetic procedures in the U.S.
The patient is still dealing with the physical and emotional consequences of the botched treatment and will likely have lasting scars from the ordeal.
