'Extremely shocked': Employer warns of allegedly illegal cosmetic procedures after maid's experience

New Paper

16-05-2025

A Singaporean employer is warning others about illegal cosmetic procedures allegedly taking place behind City Plaza after her maid returned home with a swollen face.
In an Instagram post on May 13, the employer, Ms Zhou, said she was "extremely shocked and angry" when her maid admitted to undergoing a nose thread lift and dental braces on her day off, May 11.
But what alarmed her more was the location: not a licenced clinic, but what she described as a makeshift setup in a back alley behind City Plaza, a spot commonly frequented by domestic workers.
"I was extremely shocked and angry," Ms Zhou wrote, noting that the procedures had been carried out without any professional supervision or basic hygiene standards.
According to Ms Zhou, her maid found the services through a TikTok account advertising low-cost cosmetic enhancements.
All communication reportedly took place through the comment section, with payments made in cash at the site.
The prices? A nose thread lift for $100 and dental braces for $180.
"She told me more than 20 people were there that day doing the same thing," Ms Zhou said, adding that the procedures were carried out by an Indonesian woman who spoke Javanese.
It's unclear if the woman is a domestic worker herself, or even legally residing in Singapore.
"There's a possibility these 'service providers' aren't even based here," Ms Zhou speculated.
"They could be flying in over weekends, performing the procedures, and leaving with thousands in cash," she added.
What disturbed Ms Zhou further was the lack of aftercare advice given to her maid.
The person who performed her maid's procedures merely instructed her to "keep the braces on for one year," assuring her that her teeth would straighten naturally during that time.
Ms Zhou believes this points to a larger issue - one where domestic workers, many of whom may not fully understand the risks, are being misled and taken advantage of.
"These maids are not highly educated. They may not know that braces need to be tightened regularly, or that you have to consult a dentist often," she said.
"I understand that, as a woman, she wants to look good, so she went ahead with it because it was cheap. She probably thought, if others can do it, she can, too," she added.
When asked about hygiene, her maid revealed that the woman performing the procedures didn't wash her hands or wear gloves.
Ms Zhou said she immediately explained the risks of infections, disease transmission, and unsafe tools.
While her maid has not reported any side effects so far, Ms Zhou said she filed a police report and is speaking out in hopes that others, especially employers, will take notice.
"I'm just surprised no one else is talking about this. My maid said many others were doing fillers too. It seems common, but no one's raising the alarm," she wrote.
City Plaza management says it has received no complaints
In response to queries from MS News, the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) of City Plaza said it had not received any complaints or feedback about unauthorised procedures being carried out on the premises.
"The MCST is responsible for the maintenance and management of common property under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act," a spokesperson said.
"Business activities conducted within private premises are beyond our jurisdiction," the spokesperson said, adding that its responsibilities under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA) limit its authority to common property only.