Rebecca Fadanelli, owner of Skin Beauté Med Spa in Massachusetts, is accused of posing as a nurse and performing thousands of counterfeit injectable treatments, including unauthorized versions of Botox Cosmetic, Sculptra and Juvéderm. Prosecutors report that Fadanelli allegedly imported these counterfeit products from China and Brazil, raising significant safety concerns.
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- Dr. Anna Chacon is a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami
- Dr. Orit Markowitz is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York
According to court documents, Fadanelli promoted herself online as a licensed professional with advanced qualifications, claiming a degree in anatomy from “Havard” [sic] and licensing from the “Massachusetts Estate Board.” Despite these claims, she is not a nurse and is only licensed as an aesthetician. Investigators allege that she purchased vials of Botox for $50 from Alibaba—far below the standard market price of $650—and administered these counterfeit products to clients, reportedly collecting over $900,000 in fees.
The investigation began in September 2022, when a client reported adverse reactions to the FDA after a “lip filler” treatment by Fadanelli. The client described bumps in her lips and tingling in her forehead. Homeland Security and Customs and Border Patrol investigations revealed that Fadanelli had received shipments of illegal prescription drugs and she was later found returning from Brazil with additional unauthorized injectables at Logan Airport.
Fadanelli’s actions, if proven, are an alarming reminder of the importance of receiving treatments from licensed and trained professionals. Miami dermatologist Anna Chacon, MD, underscores the risks, saying, “Cases like this highlight the crucial importance of ensuring that aesthetic procedures are administered only by licensed and trained professionals. Botox and other injectables can deliver beautiful, safe results, but only when used by qualified medical providers who are experienced in these treatments. When unlicensed injectors operate, they not only lack the expertise but also often use unregulated or counterfeit products, which can pose severe health risks to patients.”
Dr. Chacon advises patients to verify their provider’s credentials and avoid the temptation of low-cost treatments, which may come with dangerous consequences. “Protecting patient safety and maintaining high standards in aesthetic medicine is essential for everyone in this field,” she adds.
New York dermatologist Orit Markowitz, MD echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that patient safety is a shared responsibility. “The onus is on both the patient and the supposed nurse,” Dr. Markowitz notes. “The best way for patients to move forward is not to ‘cut corners.’ Patients need to have confidence in the provider administering treatments like Botox. This trust is essential to ensure both safety and positive results.”
Fadanelli’s case, scheduled for a federal hearing on November 14, serves as a cautionary tale. When seeking aesthetic treatments, patients should always verify their provider’s credentials and inquire about the products used. For those considering injectables, certifcationmatters.org and expertinjector.org offer resources to help identify board-certified professionals who adhere to rigorous standards, ensuring patient safety remains the top priority.
