Illegal beauty clinic in Vienna: Warning of dangerous procedures!

Illegal beauty clinic in Vienna: Warning of dangerous procedures!

The city of Vienna is currently confronted with a worrying phenomenon: the discovery of an illegal beauty clinic in Vienna-Simmering is causing worried faces and a growing number of reports from those affected. On a Thursday afternoon, a tip from the public led to a raid in which the clinic was dug up. Here, unauthorized beauty treatments, including Botox and filler procedures, were carried out by unqualified people with no medical training.

The clinic was located in the unauthorized premises of a former dermatologist on Simmeringer Hauptstrasse. According to Walter Hillerer, head of the emergency measures group, the practices are not only illegal but also dangerous. “These interventions can have life-threatening consequences,” he warns. During the search, numerous medications, syringes and completed information and consent forms were confiscated. Many of the affected customers, including minors, were apparently in a critical situation - several women reported complications after the procedures.

The affected customers and their rights

The police and the magistrate have already initiated the proceedings. The city of Vienna has assured all those affected with registered data that they will be summoned by the authorities. However, according to the city administration's calls, those affected should not report at the same time, as almost 500 data sets have been documented. It is also important that people without registered data can inform the police about their status as affected persons. They should not delay with their concerns in order to prevent further damage.

The city of Vienna recommends that everyone who is affected pay close attention to who carries out medical procedures: “Only have treatments with Botox, fillers or anesthetics carried out by qualified specialists,” the warnings say. Above all, a lack of information about training, no proper educational discussions or carrying out treatments in private homes are serious warning signs. Suspected cases should be reported immediately.

Cooperation and controls intensified

The cooperation between the immediate measures group, the Vienna police and the responsible municipal departments led to the closure of this clinic. During the investigation, charges of quackery and bodily harm were filed against the clinic's employees. What is particularly striking is that a 21-year-old employee was caught red-handed when she injected a liquid into the upper lip of a 19-year-old. The police were also able to arrest a 36-year-old who is held responsible for a failed operation. Both women went to hospital themselves after the procedures, but did not want to use the emergency services.

Walter Hillerer emphasizes that the city of Vienna is expecting an increase in such dubious practices due to the increasing demand for beauty treatments. The team will intensify controls and launch an information campaign to better inform the public about the risks.

The city administration and the police are at the forefront to protect the health of citizens and to point out that the utmost caution should be exercised when undergoing beauty treatments. Such events only underline the need to keep one's eyes open and to turn to authorities when in doubt.

For further information, those affected can read the articles from 5min, Vienna.gv.at and Small newspaper consult.