Medical Spa Problems & Horror Stories
Physician Reviewed
serving up many of the same cosmetic procedures.
But the mall may not be the best place for your face.
Spa Dangers
Cosmetic Procedures Risky
"I started smelling my skin burn and I'm like, 'Oh my god,'" said
Elealah Ruff.
"The whole bottom half of my face and my neck was big black...scabs,"
said Karin Gilliam.
Ruff and Gilliam are victims of cosmetic procedures that went terribly
wrong.
"I passed by this beautiful spa and saw this great sign and the price
was right," said Gillaim, who went to this Nuvo laser skin center near
Oakland for laser hair removal.
It's part of a chain -- including 10 spas in the Los Angeles area.
They provide cosmetic treatments, once only offered in a doctor's
office, at lower prices.
Gilliam liked the attractive price, and their assurances of safety.
"There was an African-American receptionist there and I asked her, 'Do
they, would they be able to perform this procedure on our skin?' And
she says, 'Oh, yeah,'" Gilliam said.
But she said the nurse who treated her apparently went too far.
Gilliam said the nurse told her she'd get more bang for her buck, so
the nurse did the procedure twice.
Ruff's face was severely burned at a different Nuvo spa near Oakland.
"It felt like it was unbearable type of burning," she said.
Laser hair removal is supposed be gentle and safe. And registered
nurses who are legally allowed to perform some laser procedures treated
both women.
But experts say even if the law says it's OK, if a nurse or even a
doctor doesn't have enough training or experience, using a laser is
literally playing with fire.
Early lasers for hair removal were only appropriate on light skin.
Some newer lasers can treat any skin type, including African-American
skin, with proper adjustment.
"These situations where these burnings are occurring you don't see
proper supervision whatsoever and you're not seeing proper training,"
said attorney Kevin Taguchi.
Taguchi represents Gilliam and Ruff. They're suing the spas' owner --
Nuvo International.
They allege that neither spa had doctors onsite, and the nurses lacked
adequate training to perform the procedures or treat the burns.
"They didn't even have ice packs for me," Gilliam said.
Los Angeles dermatologist Ronald Moy is on the California Medical
Board.
He said the board is concerned about the medispa explosion --
especially ones with limited doctor supervision.
"That's our main concern, if somebody's harmed. If we can prevent that
then we don't have to try to treat these complications," Moy said.
No state regulations clearly define what's appropriate supervision.
But Ruiz reported that Nuvo's doctors visit each spa just a few hours a
week to perform more invasive procedures, like injecting botox and
wrinkle fillers.
However, Moy says that's not enough.
"We feel that doctor supervision really means being on the premises,"
he said.
NBC News did ask Nuvo CEO Jeff Schmidt to answer questions about doctor
supervision and other spa practices. But he has not responded.
How we feel about ourselves is often a reflection of how we look. When
a cosmetic procedure goes bad the pain goes deeper than the surface of
the skin, Ruiz said.
"You go into hibernation mode because you don't want anybody to see,"
Gilliam said. "I just felt like a freak."
Both Gilliam and Ruff say they've learned not to take anything on face
value.
They said to do your research and not be fooled by the professional spa
atmosphere
For more information on what to look for before choosing a medical spa
or cosmetic medical provider is available online at www.surface-med.com
Physician Reviewed
improperly prescribing a powerful numbing gel that's being blamed for
the death of a North Carolina State University student.
The North Carolina Medical Board has charged Dr. Ira Uretzky with one
violation and two counts of unprofessional conduct -- serious charges
for which Uretzky could lose his medical license.
"Anytime we charge a doctor with unprofessional conduct there's a
potential he could lose his license and lose his livelihood," said
Brian Blankenship, an attorney for the medical board. "That's always
serious."
The medical board's report charges Uretzky did not take medical
histories or perform physicals on patients. In addition it says he did
not have a dispensing license required by law to give out medicine.
Uretzky's attorney, James Wilson, said his client would respond to the
charges against him.
"Dr. Uretzky has been cooperating fully with the board and intends to
continue to do so," Wilson said. "We're anxious to answer the charges
and are looking forward to do that as this case goes forward."
The medical board also said Uretzky had not properly registered with
the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy.
The pharmacy board is still investigating the pharmacy that sold the
numbing cream to Uretzky.
An attorney for Triangle Compounding Pharmacy maintains the business
gave Premier lidocaine for office use only.
The medical board complaint says that Uretzky ordered 142 small tubes
of the numbing cream for his spa.
If the pharmacy distributed the cream knowing it would be given to
individuals without a prescription, it too could face sanctions.
The Board will hear Uretzky's case on June 15. At that time both sides
will have an opportunity to present evidence and witnesses.
"I would only bring charges against a doctor if I believed I had
sufficient evidence to prove the allegations," Blankenship said.
Uretzky could get anywhere from a reprimand to a suspension or
revocation of his license.
If his license is revoked he could re-apply for a new one in two years.
Shiri Berg is not mentioned in the charges against Uretzky, but her
family is still considering litigation against all the parties they
believe played a role in her death.
Officials say 22-year-old Shiri Berg died of a lidocaine overdose Jan.
5 after she applied the anesthetic gel to her legs.
A passing motorist found her in her car having seizures on the morning
of Dec. 28. She died nine days later.