Facing an Inquiry for Giving Bad Botox?

 Posted on May 28, 2025 in Medical License Defense

If you are a healthcare provider being investigated for administering Botox that resulted in poor cosmetic or medical outcomes, you are not alone. In both Chicago and Peoria, licensing boards are increasingly scrutinizing professionals accused of giving "bad Botox," and not every case involves blatant malpractice. Sometimes it comes down to a licensing issue, an off-label product, or a patient’s dissatisfaction that snowballs into a formal complaint. No matter the details, if you are under inquiry, your professional license and your livelihood may be on the line.

As of May 2025, Illinois enforces very strict rules on who may administer Botox and under what conditions. Licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certain trained nurses may be authorized, but only if they are working within their scope of practice and using FDA-approved products. Anyone operating outside these guidelines could face discipline from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Our Chicago professional license defense attorney works with med spa owners, dentists, and other healthcare workers who provide botox treatments to protect their reputation and ability to practice. Read more about our professional license defense and services for medical spa owners and employees.

Professional Complaints Over Botox Treatments 

Investigations can be triggered by a single patient complaint, a negative online review that catches the wrong person’s attention, or even a report from another medical professional. There are three main categories of providers who may face scrutiny in Botox-related cases.

First, unlicensed or underqualified individuals who offer cosmetic injections without proper training or authorization. This includes people working in spas, salons, or pop-up clinics who may be using YouTube tutorials or informal training in place of medical certification.

Second, licensed professionals who knowingly or unknowingly use off-brand or imported products instead of FDA-approved Botox. Some of these alternatives may be cheaper but are not legal for use in the U.S., and they carry a higher risk of patient reactions or ineffective results.

Third, fully licensed and trained providers who did everything by the book but ended up with a bad patient outcome anyway. In these cases, the issue often comes down to documentation, consent, and patient expectations. If a patient claims you disfigured them or caused lasting harm, even unintentionally, you could still be facing a board review.

What Happens During an IDFPR Investigation Over a Botox Complaint?

Once a complaint is filed, IDFPR will review the circumstances, examine your credentials, and request documentation. You may be asked to respond in writing, sit for an interview, or appear before a hearing officer. If investigators believe you violated licensing laws or standards of care, you could face consequences such as reprimand, probation, suspension, or license revocation.

Even if you believe the complaint has no merit, it is never a good idea to go through this process without legal representation. What you say can affect your ability to practice in Illinois and beyond.

Contact a Peoria, IL Professional License Defense Lawyer

If you are a healthcare professional under investigation for Botox complications, now is the time to act. A professional license defense lawyer can help you respond to the complaint, gather evidence, and defend your record before the board. You do not have to prove that a patient was satisfied; you only need to demonstrate that you followed legal and professional standards.

Whether you are accused of using off-brand Botox, practicing outside your license, or simply delivering results a patient did not like, you deserve a fair defense. Contact The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc. at 630-310-1267 to speak with an Illinois professional license defense attorney. We offer free consultations and represent healthcare professionals across Illinois in license investigations, hearings, and appeals.