Authorities close the S88 Beauty near Phsar Thmei in the capital’s Daun Penh district on August 4. FB
The Ministry of Health has teamed up with the Phnom Penh municipal administration to close 11 branches of S88 Beauty Centre, with the search for other locations ongoing.
Specialised institutions are also preparing to take legal action.
The move is in response to the discovery that the beauty centre opened a branch without permission and seriously harmed clients through improper beauty techniques.
The Ministry of Health’s August 5 press release revealed that they had previously authorised one beauty centre named S88 Beauty, located at on National Road 4 in Choam Chao III commune’s Ang village of the capital’s Por Sen Chey district.
“The owner of this beauty centre failed to meet the required technical conditions and did not comply with the rules set out in Prakas 008 issued on January 26, 2010.
“This regulation governs the procedures and technical conditions for opening, closing, or relocating a beauty centre,” the release said.
“The owner violated these terms by opening several other branches without obtaining permission from the Ministry of Health,” the release further outlined.
Firstly, it was discovered that the S88 Beauty Centre operated a branch located in Phsar Thmei III commune of the capital’s Daun Penh district without a licence.
The branches provided beauty services without adhering to technical conditions, and a white skin serum injection caused severe harm to a client, resulting in a client had been rushed to the emergency room at Calmette Hospital.
The statement further explained: “The health ministry has already investigated and is actively working to close and overturn the decision to open the beauty centre situated on National Road 4 in Por Sen Chey district’s Choam Chao III commune.”
The ministry had discovered and closed a total of 11 S88 Beauty Centre branches in Phnom Penh and five provinces including Battambang, Preah Sihanouk, Siem Reap, Kampot and Kampong Cham.
Both the ministry and the Phnom Penh administration are continuing their search for other locations, with the intention to prepare a case for court proceedings.
Speaking about her experience, the wife of a popular comedian Peak Mi who was a victim at the beauty centre in Phsar Thmei III commune described what happened following a routine facial massage and white skin serum injection.
“When they injected me with the white skin serum, using half a sack of the serum, I started to have headaches and chest pains,” she said.
She also recounted starting to feel unwell after leaving the S88 Beauty Centre and returning home. After calling the beauty centre and receiving no answer, she urged the authorities to take legal action.
“I asked the authorities to help find the owner who opened this branch to help find justice,” she said.
Representatives of S88 Beauty have not been available for comment.
In a move to protect the public from potential dangers associated with beauty services, the health ministry in January 2020 directed all cosmetic and beauty care service owners to apply for a permit from relevant authorities.
By adhering to proper technical conditions and abiding by laws and regulations, the initiative aims to maintain the quality, efficiency and safety of health services.
This regulatory action underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that beauty and cosmetic procedures meet standardised guidelines for the well-being of the community.
