The Virginia board that oversees beauty salons has revoked the license of a Fairfax County business that was the subject of a News4 I-Team investigation.
State investigators visited Veera Spa in September after getting an anonymous complaint regarding its services for permanent cosmetic tattooing.
Inspectors noted eight violations, including that the owner did not have proper equipment for sterilizing her instruments and was not properly disposing of biological hazardous materials.
In December, several former clients told the I-Team they left in excruciating pain after a microblading session. One client said her skin became infected and required medical treatment.
Microblading is a form of permanent cosmetic tattooing where a tool with tiny needles pushes pigment into the skin in little lines to look like hair. The final outcome is supposed to be fuller, more natural looking brows, that can last for years.
The spa, which was located on Maple Avenue in Vienna, is now permanently closed.
State records show the owner, La'Or Wood, agreed to the revocation of the salon's license to avoid paying $10,000 in fines. She has also surrendered her personal license to perform microblading services. She did not return the I-Team's calls seeking comment.
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The state board only has authority over licensed businesses, and even with those, it does not proactively check for substandard conditions. Investigators only initiate cases after complaints are filed — so customers should do their homework.
"It's not just a matter of losing money. It's not just a matter of walking away being unhappy with the service. You could become very ill," said Mary Broz Vaughan, Deputy Director of Virginia's Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Inspectors also noted the spa's owner could produce no record of her hepatitis B vaccine, didn't have the proper cleanup kit or disinfectant for blood spills, and hadn't done the required monthly spore testing on her steam sterilizers.
Records show Veera Spa was also advertising under the name Allure Permanent Make-up, which is not the name on its license.
Veera Spa no longer has a state license to operate, but its owner does still hold an individual license for esthetics, which basically allows her to offer skincare services.
