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NYC Council inquiry uncovers the ugly side of 'medspas' offering Botox, butt lifts, other treatments
By
Caroline Lewis
Published Dec 11, 2025
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Predrag Popovski/Getty Images
By
Caroline Lewis
Published Dec 11, 2025
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“Medspas” offering cosmetic procedures such as Botox, fillers and body sculpting are popping up across New York City, but not all have the required medical staff and licenses to provide the services, according to a City Council investigation released Thursday.
The Council’s Oversight and Investigation Division enlisted multiple state agencies, including the Departments of Education, State and Health, to conduct inspections of 15 medspas — a mashup of “medical” and “spa” — across the five boroughs between June and September last year.
All of the medspas that were selected had Appearance Enhancement Business licenses, which are required for cosmetology businesses offering services such as manicures and facials. But all were found to be offering services that are considered medical procedures without the necessary licenses from the state, according to the City Council report.
Brazilian butt lifts, liquid liposuction, tattoo removal and permanent hair removal are just a few of the services regulators found were being offered without the proper medical licensure.
“Every New Yorker must be able to trust that city businesses they visit comply with state legal regulations to protect consumers’ health and safety,” Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said in a statement. “Yet, this joint investigation revealed that too many medspas are openly disregarding the law and endangering their customers.”
The Council is calling for state lawmakers to consider passing legislation that would require establishments with Appearance Enhancement Business licenses to prominently display signs stating that they are not licensed to perform medical procedures.
The Council is also calling for regular state inspections of medspas and an education campaign to inform New Yorkers about unsafe practices.
The inspections conducted last summer uncovered a range of issues beyond proper licensing.
Officials found that three-quarters of the businesses lacked any oversight from a medical professional and most were missing safety records and liability insurance. At two-thirds of the businesses, inspectors observed chemical or fire safety violations, such as improperly stored hazardous materials. More than half also had sanitation or hygiene issues.
The specific violations detailed in the Council's report included the presence of unsterilized instruments, staff performing phlebotomies without a license, and a “box labeled fentanyl found in [the] refrigerator.”
The Department of State’s licensing division took administrative action against all 15 businesses and they were entitled to hearings overseen by an administrative law judge, according to the report.
Four cases have already been adjudicated involving the businesses Beauty Forever NY, Faces NYC Spa, Bellisima Hair, Inc. and Downtown City Spa, according to the City Council investigation.
Those cases all resulted in the proprietors having their aesthetician or cosmetology licenses revoked, either temporarily or permanently, along with the Appearance Enhancement Business licenses for their establishments.
The report did not name the businesses involved in the 11 cases that are still pending.
Tagged
Health and Science
new york city
Caroline Lewis
Caroline Lewis is on the health care beat for WNYC and Gothamist. She has covered COVID, a nurses' strike, the overdose crisis and New York’s marijuana legalization effort, and spent a year investigating patients' medical bills. She always wants to hear about how everyday New Yorkers experience the health system. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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