Red alert: Illegal beauty clinics are flourishing in Vienna!

Red alert: Illegal beauty clinics are flourishing in Vienna!

In Vienna, the demand for aesthetic procedures has increased significantly in recent years. Treatment methods such as Botox and hyaluronic acid are particularly popular, and although between 30,000 and 100,000 procedures are carried out every year, many interested parties do not turn to specialists. Johannes Matiasek from the Vienna Medical Association estimates the number of unreported cases of illegal procedures to be “not low”, which is worrying. In addition, the city of Vienna identified a “lively supply” of illegal medical treatments, which has become the focus of the authorities in recent months.

An illegal beauty clinic was recently discovered in Vienna-Simmering, which affected over 500 customers. The hospitality of the search animals is in the hands of unqualified staff. This confirmed a report from Puls24, which could have far-reaching consequences for the people affected. The Vienna Medical Association and numerous health organizations warn about the dangers of improper treatment.

Discovery of the illegal clinic

The discovery of this clinic was made possible by a tip from the population. Investigations by the Immediate Measures Group in collaboration with the Vienna police led to the closure of the facility, which was housed in the unauthorized premises of a former dermatologist. During a raid, police confiscated several hundred packages of various substances. The treatment methods included Botox and filler treatments performed by people without medical training, as wien.gv.at reported.

Particularly alarming are the reports of underage patients being treated illegally in this clinic. Promotion of these treatments took place via social media and the prices were often temptingly low. This resulted in many unsuspecting customers using the services without understanding the risks. The raid took place during a treatment when police encountered an employee injecting a customer's lips.

Risks and possible complications

The complications that can arise from improper treatment are diverse. Specialist Veith Moser warns that everything from bruises and infections to painful hardening and even dead tissue can occur. According to Heute, numerous patients who may have been seriously injured are currently being contacted by the police. More than 400 customers have already received information to make them aware of the risks of their treatments.

The Vienna patient advocacy group documents between 20 and 30 cases of botched procedures every year, which is why a comprehensive information campaign was launched. This is intended to inform potential patients about the risks of cosmetic procedures and create awareness of their rights. Only trained specialists are authorized to carry out such treatments, and the City of Vienna makes it its mission to pass on this knowledge to ensure the safety of citizens.

In summary, it is clear that the illegal market for aesthetic procedures in Vienna is a serious problem that cannot be ignored. The authorities are required to act consistently and actively educate the population about the dangers.