New California Law Dishes Out Tougher Punishment for Illegal Medi-Spas [VIDEO]

California has taken a significant step toward ensuring its medical spas are run more safely – and RealSelf is all for it. A new state law signed by Governor Jerry Brown last month greatly increases the repercussions for law-breaking medical businesses. Non-doctors who perform medical procedures illegally can now face up to $50,000 in fines, as well as five years in jail, compared with the previous misdemeanor charge and $200 fine.

The new law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2013, and will have the largest impact on medical spas where non-surgical procedures like injectable fillers, chemical peels, and cellulite treatments are popular. Some medi-spas have permitted uncertified employees to perform these procedures rather than trained professionals, thus leaving patients at avoidable risk, like in this video.

At RealSelf, we applaud California for taking action to deter unskilled technicians from doing a doctor's job, and encourage other states to follow suit. We’ve been a constant advocate of patient safety and education and will continue to serve all states as a resource to find qualified doctors and surgeons.

However, just because the punishments have been increased doesn’t mean you can assume that everyone is now following the rules. Be sure to use the RealSelf Doctor Finder feature to locate and research qualified doctors in your area.

What are your thoughts on patients safety and the role of government? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

video credit: ksfn-tv (abc)