An unlicensed med spa owner in Houston is facing felony charges after allegedly injecting counterfeit Botox into patients' faces, causing physical injuries. According to Click2Houston, Rodriguez Flores, who described herself as a "Nurse Certified" practitioner on her business Facebook page, is accused of practicing medicine without a license, a revelation that has surfaced after complaints of injuries.
Flores is in jail with a $7,500 bond. Prosecutors say she gave cosmetic injections without a medical license or supervision, which is illegal and dangerous. This isn’t her first case—three other women got injections from her in March. One of them ended up with a temporarily deformed eyebrow. The risky procedures were done at Bella Skin Care on Greens Parkway, as reported by Click2Houston.
Despite Flores' promotion of her services online, boasting certifications and medical expertise, court documents contradict her employment status and claim her to be unlicensed in the medical field. Her business page also featured claims of her being a "Master Inyector" and "Licensed Cosmetologist," as per Click2Houston. The truth of these declarations is now under scrutiny by authorities.
The risk of unlicensed medical procedures has been highlighted by local doctors encouraging patients to thoroughly check the credentials of anyone offering cosmetic services. "Buyer beware if the price seems too good or the deal seems too good. Really check out the credentials of the person you're going to," says Dr. Craig Teller, a cosmetic dermatologist, in a statement conveyed by ABC13 Eyewitness News. Further substantiating the dangers, a past victim named Diana Lehaf shared her harrowing encounter with another unlicensed practitioner, who left her "badly disfigured" after a Botox injection went awry. The Texas Medical Board and the Texas Board of Nursing have online tools to check if a healthcare provider is properly licensed.
