Mercer Times

TRENTON – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced today that Rasha Abdul N. Basuf, owner of the now-defunct Skyn Spa in Clifton, has agreed to pay a $10,000 civil penalty and accept a 10-year ban on operating a skin care specialty spa in New Jersey. This agreement resolves allegations that Basuf unlawfully provided invasive aesthetic treatments that only licensed medical professionals are authorized to perform.

Basuf entered a consent order with the State Board of Medical Examiners and the State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling following an investigation by the Division of Consumer Affairs. The investigation, prompted by a public tip, found evidence that between March and December 2023, Basuf—who is neither a licensed cosmetologist nor a physician—provided cosmetic services without the necessary professional licenses.

The unlicensed services allegedly performed at Skyn Spa included Botox and dermal filler injections, body contouring, laser hair removal, teeth whitening, permanent makeup, microblading, microneedling, and platelet-rich plasma facials. These procedures highlight the risks associated with "med-spas" offering aesthetic medical treatments without proper supervision from licensed medical personnel.

Attorney General Platkin stated: “No matter how elegant or professionally staffed a ‘med-spa’ may appear, without proper supervision and guidance from licensed, authorized medical personnel, consumers may be exposed to dangerous treatments that could have serious long-term consequences.” He added that as the med-spa industry grows, they will continue to hold accountable those providing unauthorized aesthetic services.

Cari Fais, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs urged: “We urge the public to thoroughly vet the professional credentials of practitioners before undergoing any invasive beauty treatments.” She emphasized reporting suspected unlicensed service providers to help stop unlawful activities posing serious threats to public safety.

The investigation revealed that during an inspection in March 2023 by the Division’s Enforcement Bureau (EB), Skyn Spa was not licensed by the Cosmetology Board but advertised numerous aesthetic services requiring professional licenses. Investigators found pharmaceuticals and medical supplies at Skyn Spa and informed Basuf her spa could not remain open while providing unlicensed services.

Despite applying for a skin care specialty shop license in April 2023 and removing medical equipment for an inspection in June 2023 when it received its license, subsequent inspections found Skyn Spa continued offering unauthorized services. In February 2024, Skyn Spa dissolved its corporate entity and surrendered its license.

Under the consent order terms with state boards, Basuf must cease all activities constituting medicine or cosmetology practice in New Jersey for ten years and pay civil penalties totaling $10,000 assessed by both boards.

Basuf's case follows other enforcement actions against individuals like Carolina Nunez in October 2023 who paid $22,500 for similar violations; Marisol Cabrera fined $17,650 in June 2023; and Isabella Dos Santos who agreed to pay $20,000 fines in February 2023 for exceeding their professional licenses' scope.

The Enforcement Bureau within the Division of Consumer Affairs conducted Basuf's investigation. Deputy Attorneys General Stacy-Ann T. Davy and Michelle Mikelberg represented the State under Professional Boards Prosecution Section Chief Doreen Hafner’s supervision within the Division of Law’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement Practice Group.

Patients suspecting they received treatment from unlicensed providers can file complaints online with the State Division of Consumer Affairs or call toll-free within New Jersey at 1-800-242-5846 or at 973-504-6200.

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