Don’t Get Burned (Literally!!): How to Safely Choose a Licensed Provider for Med Spa and Aesthetic Procedures in Illinois
- Jenn
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
In the world of glowing skin and aesthetic rejuvenation, there's one question that matters just as much as the results:
Who’s performing your treatment?
At Denmarc Aesthetics, we believe beauty should never come at the expense of your safety — or the law.
In Illinois, procedures like Botox, dermal fillers, microneedling, most body contouring, HydraFacials, and laser-based treatments are legally considered medical procedures. That means they must be performed or directly supervised by a licensed medical doctor (MD/DO) or a Nurse Practitioner (NP) with Full Practice Authority (FPA).
⚖️ What the Medical Spa IL Law Actually Says
Illinois law is very specific when it comes to who can operate a medical spa or provide aesthetic treatments.
“Only physicians licensed to practice medicine in all its branches or APRNs with Full Practice Authority may operate a medical spa and delegate certain medical procedures.”— 225 ILCS 60/54.2 & 225 ILCS 65/65-43🔗 IL Medical Practice Act🔗 IL Nurse Practice Act
“Procedures involving lasers or aesthetic devices that disrupt the skin’s surface are considered the practice of medicine and may only be performed or delegated by a licensed physician.”— 68 Illinois Administrative Code 1285.336🔗 Laser Use Admin Code
“Cosmetologists and estheticians are prohibited from using any technique, product, or practice intended to affect the living layers of the skin.”— 225 ILCS 410/3-1, 3A-1, 3C-1🔗 Cosmetology Act
🧬 What Procedures Are Considered “Medical” in Illinois?
The moment a treatment involves a prescription drug, affects living layers of skin, or uses a medical device, it becomes a medical procedure.
That includes:
✅ Botox & Dermal Fillers
✅ Laser Hair Removal & Laser Facials
✅ HydraFacials with suction/infusion
✅ Body Contouring (Cryolipolysis, RF, Ultrasound)
✅ Microneedling (beyond the stratum corneum)
✅ PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Injections
✅ Medium to Deep Chemical Peels
✅ Weight-loss Injections (Semaglutide, Lipotropic B12)
These treatments must legally be performed or delegated by a qualified medical provider.
👩⚕️ Who Can Legally Perform These Treatments?
Provider | Botox & Fillers | Lasers & Devices | Own Med Spa | Delegate to Others |
Medical Physician (MD/DO) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
NP with Full Practice Authority (FPA) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Registered Nurse (RN) | ❌ Not independently | ❌ Only under MD/NP supervision | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Esthetician or Cosmetologist | ❌ Never | ❌ Never | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Chiropractic Physician | ❌ Never | ❌ Never | ❌ No | ❌ No |
🧍♂️ What About Chiropractors?
This is a common misconception.
🛑 Chiropractors cannot perform Botox, fillers, lasers, microneedling, or prescribe medications. They are not legally allowed to supervise, delegate, or operate a medical spa offering those services.
According to the Illinois Chiropractic Society:
“Microneedling that does not go below the stratum corneum may be permissible, but any device that penetrates deeper is outside the chiropractic scope.”🔗 ICS Microneedling Interpretation
“Chiropractic physicians may not use Class 3b or 4 lasers, RF, or IPL intended to cut, burn, or vaporize skin.”🔗 ICS Laser Use Interpretation
In short, Chiropractors are not medical aesthetic providers under Illinois law.
⚠️ The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry: What Happens When You’re Treated by the Wrong Person?
Across Illinois and the country, a dangerous trend continues:💉 Unlicensed and unqualified individuals are performing medical-grade aesthetic
procedures they’re not legally allowed to do.
It might be a friend renting a suite, a “certified injector” on social media, or a salon adding “Botox” to their menu — but if they’re not an MD or FPA NP, it’s illegal.
And when something goes wrong?
It can go very wrong.
😨 Real Risks of Unqualified Providers
Here’s what you’re exposed to when your injector or laser tech is not legally allowed to treat you:
🔥 Burns and scarring from misused lasers, RF, or IPL devices
🧠 Filler complications like vascular occlusion, skin necrosis, or even blindness
🦠 Infections from non-sterile injection practices — including hepatitis B/C and HIV
💊 Incorrect dosing or off-label drug use with no oversight
😵 No emergency training or clinical protocols to manage complications
“An increase in these procedures has led to a parallel rise in complications… including severe soft tissue infections and blood-borne pathogen transmission.”— CDC & IDPH Summary via IDFPR Memo, 2024🔗 Read the IDFPR Memo
🚫 When the Provider Isn’t Legal — You’re Left Unprotected
If you experience an injury or complication from someone who isn’t licensed:
❌ They probably do not carry malpractice insurance
❌ You can’t report them to a medical board because they’re not a licensed medical provider
❌ You may have no legal recourse
❌ You’ll likely have to pay for corrective care out of pocket
Would you let an unlicensed “dental enthusiast” do your root canal? Then, don’t let an unqualified person inject your face or laser your skin.
✅ What Safety Looks Like at Denmarc Aesthetics
At Denmarc, your health and results are always in qualified, trained hands:
✔ Procedures are performed or supervised by a FPA NP
✔ Full legal compliance with IDFPR & IDPH
✔ Malpractice insurance and safety protocols in place
✔ Transparent provider credentials — ask us anything!
🕵️ Questions to Ask Before You Book Anywhere
“Who is doing my treatment — and are they licensed to do it?”
“Is this a medical procedure under Illinois law?”
“Do you have medical malpractice insurance?”
“Is the med spa owned and operated by a medical provider?”
If the answers aren't clear or legal, it’s not worth the risk.
🌟 Your Aesthetic Journey Deserves Medical-Level Care
At Denmarc Aesthetics, we don’t just help you look better — we protect your safety, preserve your peace of mind, and respect the law.
📍 Located in Joliet, IL, and proudly serving the surrounding communities✨ Medically supervised beauty, the right way 📅 Book your consultation today or message us with questions
Legal References:
IL Medical Practice Act – 225 ILCS 60/54.2
IL Nurse Practice Act – 225 ILCS 65/65-43
Laser & Medical Device Use – 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1285.336
Esthetics Law – 225 ILCS 410
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