Bloodied customers, cockroach infestation and HIV risk: Illegal plastic surgery operating in the back of a jewellery shop is shut down and the untrained therapist is banned for life
- Illegal cosmetic salon operator issued with a permanent prohibition order
- Sonoun Kimlee Salon ran at back of Melbourne jewellery store before shut down
- Operator Lee Kim Tan has copped lifetime ban following year long investigation
- Did you have a procedure at this salon? Email: kylie.stevens@mailonline.com
An unregistered and untrained beauty therapist who operated an illegal cosmetic surgery salon from the back of Melbourne jewellery store has been banned for life.
The Sonoun Kimlee Salon was brought to the attention of health authorities last May after being inundated with complaints about bloodied clients wearing bandages leaving the jewellery shop at Springvale Shopping Centre in the city's south-east.
The clinic, which offered complex surgeries from eyelid folds to facial fillers and skin tightening was immediately shut down after local council inspectors found the premises were infested with cockroaches.
Health officials at the time also expressed grave concerns that clients, mostly Cambodian and Vietnamese migrants, had been exposed to blood-borne infections such as hepatitis and HIV.
Lee Kim Tan (pictured right with her husband) has been banned from performing cosmetic services by the Health Complaints Commissioner
The Health Complaints Commissioner has issued operator Lee Kim Tan with a permanent prohibition order following a year-long investigation.
She's banned from performing or providing any general health services involving cosmetic procedures, including Botox and dermal fillers.
'The safety of Victorians is our number one priority,' Health Complaints Commissioner Karen Cusack announced on Monday.
'As such, I believe it is necessary to impose this permanent ban on Lee Kim Tan to avoid a serious risk to the health, safety and welfare of the Victorian public.'
Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton described the case as one of the worst he'd seen in terms of the practices and one of the greatest risks for transmission of infection.
Another two illegal salons, including one at Ms Tan's home were also uncovered during the extensive investigation.
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Ms Tan's Facebook page has many photos of cosmetic work, including scabbing and bruising from eyelid procedures (pictured)
Thanh Loi Jewellery, where the illegal salon was operating from has since closed.
At least 18 clients alerted health authorities after the illegal salons were found.
There have been no known cases to date of Ms Tan's clients being infected with a blood-borne disease, The Age reported.
Ms Tan's husband issued an apology to clients on her behalf after the illegal salons were shut down.
'I want to say to those people who came to see my wife: I respect you, I love you and I'm sorry and I want to also say that I did not force you to come and do this,' Sonoun Saing told Seven News last July.
Ms Tan's Facebook page is flooded with before and after photos of women who have undergone cosmetic treatment.
Some show scabbing and bruising from eyelid procedures, bloody scabs on noses and rashes from lip filler treatment.
Ms Tan's Facebook page is flooded with before and after photos of women who have undergone cosmetic treatment (pictured)
Sonoun Kimlee Salon was operating illegally at the back of Thanh Loi Jewellery (pictured) which has also since closed
Ms Cusack issued a timely warning to anyone considering cosmetic treatment to ask their provider about qualifications and experience, products used, risks involved and where the procedure will be carried out.
'That is why it is important for any person considering cosmetic treatments to consider what can go wrong and what they have a right to expect from their health service provider so that they can make fully informed decisions.'
The Health Complaints Commissioner continues to investigate cosmetic service providers who pose a risk to the public.
'We rely on community members to come forward with their concerns so that we are aware of possible breaches of the code,' Ms Cusack said.
This photo on Ms Tan's Facebook shows rashes (top right and below) after lip filler treatment
