A cosmetic service provider who allegedly treated clients in an unregistered ‘salon’ at the back of a Springvale Shopping Centre jewellery store, has been issued with an interim prohibition order temporarily banning her from providing any general health services involving cosmetic procedures, including Botox and dermal fillers. 

Health Complaints Commissioner Karen Cusack said the interim prohibition order also temporarily banned Lee Kim Tan, trading as Sonoun Kimlee Salon at G23 46-58 Buckingham Ave, Springvale, from advertising cosmetic services, possessing or storing any Schedule Four poisons, such as Botox and dermal fillers, and from administering any unregistered therapeutic goods or scheduled medicines. 

Ms Cusack said the temporary ban would remain in place while her office conducted an investigation.

“It’s important the public has confidence in health service providers and that they raise any concerns they might have with us,” she said.

In a separate matter, and following information from Dandenong City Council, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is also looking at the same cosmetic provider, Sonoun Kimlee Salon. 

DHHS is concerned that infection control measures at the premises were not adequate to protect health. DHHS is currently contacting all clients who received cosmetic services, including injections and skin cutting, and asking those clients to be tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

The action by DHHS is separate to the powers of the Health Complaints Commissioner to investigate the provision of health services by Ms Tan and Sonoun Kimlee Salon. 

“I encourage everybody to consider the standards of healthcare they’re entitled to when choosing a cosmetic treatment provider,” Ms Cusack said. 

“There are particular questions you should ask your provider to make an informed decision about the treatment you’ll receive from them, including what their qualifications are, what products they will use, what the risks involved are, whether they have insurance for the procedure and where the procedure will be carried out.

“Your provider should also be aware of, and adhering to, the code of conduct for general health services, which sets the legal standards for the provision of safe and ethical healthcare in Victoria. The code is available here.

“I take any alleged breach of the code very seriously and will not tolerate providers who put the public’s health at risk.”

Anyone with a complaint about a cosmetic treatment service, or any other health service in Victoria, can contact the Health Complaints Commissioner on 1300 582 113 or online at hcc.vic.gov.au. 

For more information regarding testing or the health risks of infection contact DHHS on 1800 356 061.