Customers of a central Sydney beauty clinic have been advised to undergo testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV following the discovery of “highly concerning” infection-control practices, including the use of veterinary equipment, at the business. The New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) has issued a public health warning about the Ketthip Beauty Clinic on Sussex Street and has imposed a temporary ban on the clinic providing any healthcare services for eight weeks.

The warning comes after an inspection by the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit found that some practices at Ketthip may have exposed individuals to blood-borne viruses like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV. Customers who have received infusions, injections, microdermabrasion treatments, or PDO thread lift procedures at Ketthip have been advised to consult their general practitioners.

The health order follows the commission’s execution of a search warrant at Ketthip following multiple complaints about the clinic and its staff. Evidence from the search indicates that unqualified individuals at the clinic were performing invasive cosmetic procedures, including administering botulinum toxin and fillers without proper qualifications or registration.

The commission warns that unregistered personnel at the clinic may be misleading clients into believing they are receiving treatments from qualified medical practitioners. Additionally, the commission confiscated surgical equipment, some of which was marked for veterinary use only, and found expired controlled medications imported from overseas, as well as prescription-only medications of “unknown quality, safety, and efficacy” at the clinic.

The commission emphasizes that the hygiene and infection-control practices at Ketthip are “highly concerning” and pose an immediate risk to public health, with potential for adverse reactions to the procedures.

The commission’s investigation is ongoing, and the clinic did not respond to requests for comment. The commission has issued a total of five serious public health warnings about the provision of cosmetic services in the past ten months, following an increase in complaints about unregistered practitioners.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/04/sydney-ketthip-beauty-clinic-customer-health-warning-hiv-virus-testing-ntwnfb