In a shocking revelation, Siti Palilah Ismail, a 52-year-old Singaporean beautician, recently faced legal repercussions for providing invasive facial aesthetic procedures without a valid medical practitioner’s license, according to TODAY.
Overview of the Case
Siti Palilah Ismail, operating as a self-employed beautician, conducted invasive facial aesthetic procedures for approximately two years, serving around 300 clients. Her actions came to an abrupt halt when she was sentenced to eight weeks in jail for four counts of practicing without a valid certificate.
Procuring equipment and products from the e-commerce giant Alibaba, Siti Palilah offered procedures ranging from skin-whitening jabs to placenta injections. The consequences of her actions became apparent as she faced charges and legal proceedings.
Background
In 2019, Siti Palilah underwent a three-month aesthetic course, gaining knowledge in providing invasive facial procedures. This laid the foundation for her subsequent illegal activities.
Sometime in 2020, Siti Palilah decided to venture into the beauty industry as a self-employed professional, setting the stage for her unlicensed practices.
To execute her aesthetic procedures, Siti Palilah rented a small salon space where she conducted her operations.
Utilizing social media, particularly Instagram, she promoted her services, attracting unsuspecting clients who would soon become the victims of her unlicensed procedures.
Unlawful Procedures
Timeline of Invasive Procedures
From November 2020 to November 2022, Siti Palilah performed various invasive aesthetic procedures, exposing clients to significant health risks.
Specific Procedures Performed
- Skin-Whitening Jabs
- Placenta Injections
- Filler Injections
- Botox Jabs
- Thread Lift Injections
Legal consequences
Siti Palilah faced four charges related to performing invasive procedures without a valid license. Her guilty plea resulted in an eight-week jail sentence.
In addition to the jail term, the court considered seven similar charges during the sentencing process.
The gravity of the case was underscored by the consideration of additional charges, highlighting the severity of Siti Palilah’s actions.
Investigative Process
The Ministry of Health (MOH) played a crucial role in investigating and exposing Siti Palilah’s illegal activities.
Andre Tan, the prosecutor from MOH, provided insights into the case, emphasizing the dangers posed by unlicensed practitioners in the beauty industry.
Customers, unaware of Siti Palilah’s lack of proper credentials, underwent various invasive procedures, risking their health.
Siti’s modus operandi involved instructing clients to lie down, cleansing their faces, applying numbing cream, and then administering the beauty products.
Each session ranged from S$200 to S$800, lasting approximately half an hour.
Health Risks
An expert report highlighted the potential risks, including allergies, infections, haematoma, and swelling, associated with the unlicensed procedures.
The report emphasized the serious health implications of Siti Palilah’s actions, underscoring the need for proper licensing in the beauty industry.