Esthetician Pleads Guilty in Laser Treatment Fraud
Hayley Nicole Atwood admitted falsely posing as a master esthetician while clients suffered burns and scarring from laser procedures.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Financial Crime
Hayley Nicole Atwood pleaded guilty to wire fraud after falsely representing herself as a master esthetician to offer laser hair and tattoo removal at her spas in Chesapeake and Elizabeth City. Several clients suffered burning and scarring from her laser treatments.
Why it matters
Virginia law permits master estheticians to perform laser procedures only with proper training and physician supervision, and the case shows how credential misrepresentation can put clients at physical risk. For Norfolk residents, it underscores the importance of verifying a provider's license before undergoing laser treatment.
Atwood pleaded guilty to wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 5, 2027, facing up to 20 years in prison. A federal district judge will determine the sentence after reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The players
Hayley Nicole Atwood
Atwood is a Virginia esthetician who owned spas in Chesapeake and Elizabeth City and has pleaded guilty to wire fraud.
Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation is the state agency that licenses estheticians, and it issued Atwood her basic esthetician license.
The details
Atwood, who owned esthetic spas in Chesapeake and Elizabeth City, falsely claimed to be a master esthetician beginning in at least 2017 and performed laser tattoo removal without medical director supervision or authorization. Neither of the two medical directors she employed, from December 2019 to July 2021 and from July 2021 to November 2022, authorized that work.
Timeline
Beginning in at least 2017: Atwood began falsely claiming to be a master esthetician.
December 2019 to July 2021: Atwood employed her first medical director.
March and April 2021: Atwood purchased two Spectrum Laser devices.
July 2021 to November 2022: Atwood employed her second medical director.
March 5, 2027: Atwood is scheduled to be sentenced.
Legal Context
Virginia law allows master estheticians to perform laser hair or tattoo removal only with proper training and supervision by a licensed physician or physician assistant. This case illustrates how credential fraud can bypass those safeguards and expose clients to injury.
Residents seeking laser hair or tattoo removal should confirm that a provider holds the correct license and physician supervision before booking treatment. Checking credentials with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation can help clients avoid burns and scarring.
The takeaway
Verifying a provider's license and any required physician oversight before a laser procedure is a simple step that can prevent serious injury. Clients who notice burns or scarring after treatment should document them and report the provider to state regulators.
What happens next
Atwood is scheduled to be sentenced on March 5, 2027, when a federal judge will determine her sentence.
Further reading
For related coverage, see Financial Crime reporting from the Norfolk area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WAVY-TV 10 Hampton Roads.
