The Medical Association of Las Palmas presented itself as a private prosecution in the trial against a woman who injected platelet-rich plasma (a rejuvenation therapy) and botulinum toxin (Botox), among other practices, without having a medical degree, and another who helped her. The events judged took place between 2020 and 2021, in three different establishments: a beauty salon in La Aldea de San Nicolás and two aesthetic centers in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
The Association became aware that a woman offering these aesthetic treatments identified herself as a doctor and also offered services typical of a doctor, despite lacking "any medical qualification."
Specifically, she had a plaque at the entrance of one of the premises where she advertised herself as a doctor and identified herself as such to her clientele. She also publicly offered through Instagram the performance of aesthetic medical treatments that include botulinum toxin injections, among others.
Given the danger that this could pose to public health and as protection for citizens, the Board of Directors of the Medical Association of Las Palmas ordered the filing of an immediate complaint in the Courts through the Legal Advice of the Association.
In the trial held at the beginning of this February, it was proven that she proceeded to perform diagnoses and aesthetic treatments with injections of botulinum toxin and platelet-rich plasma, acts typical of the medical profession, among others.
The Criminal Court number 6 of Las Palmas issued a sentence of one year and three months in prison for the main defendant for a crime of impersonation and a crime of injury, in addition to compensating one of the affected parties, and for the second woman, considered an accomplice, four months in prison.
The Medical Association of Las Palmas pursues a very important public interest: that the citizen "has the total guarantee that whoever practices medicine holds the corresponding qualification." Not only is the medical profession protected, but ultimately, the health of the citizens is protected.
It is important to note that providing services related to the medical profession without having a medical degree can carry prison sentences.
In the last year, the Association has obtained two convictions for the crime of impersonation and injury to people who identify themselves as doctors and involve medical practices without the corresponding medical qualification.
In June 2024, the conviction of a hairdresser who injected liquid silicone in the lips at her home and caused significant injuries to more than 30 women was known. And now, in February 2025, this sentence.
The Institution emphasizes the importance of regulations when planning aesthetic treatments, surgical and non-surgical, since "it corresponds only to the doctor. That is, they cannot be applied by any other professional without prior medical action."
In these cases, the great victim is the patient. To prevent being deceived by a false doctor, it is encouraged to consult the only official search engine of doctors in the province of Las Palmas.
