Health authorities ban Botox injector Norsafiza Binti Zakaria

A Sydney-based unlicensed Botox injector, who told a client “if it’s all my fault I’m dead”, has been slapped with a permanent ban after three of her clients contracted a potentially paralysing illness.

Health authorities have placed a permanent ban on a non-registered practitioner responsible for causing three women to contract botulism after being deemed a major risk to the public’s health and safety.

Norsafiza Binti Zakaria – a Malaysian national who imported her Botox-type product from her doctor overseas – also went by the aliases Natasha Scha, Zakaria Scha, Natasha Ismail, Scha Zakaria, Scha Natasha and Scha Zakaria Beauty Spa.

She worked at Belmore and an at-home clinic in Guildford where she offered anti-wrinkle injections on January 11.

The Health Care Complaints Commission has imposed a permanent prohibition order against 38-year-old Zakaria, banning her from providing any paid or voluntary health services including cosmetic or skin penetration procedures.

She is also forbidden from providing any health services using any other name or alias as well as offering, advertising, marketing or promoting any health service.

Norsafiza (Natasha) Binti Zakaria.

A temporary prohibition order was put in place on January 30 when health authorities warned the public about Zakaria, who also practised in Victoria, following the hospitalisation of the clients after they contracted botulism that month.

One of the NSW patients was admitted to intensive care.

A 51-year-old woman complained about her “eyes feeling heavy”, being “tired all the time”, having a drooping face, not being able to see and she “could not eat and found it difficult to swallow”.

HCCC’s decision stated that while client B took her friend, client A, to Auburn Hospital on January 19, she communicated with Zakaria via WhatApp video twice.

In one exchange with client B, Zakaria started to panic about her future after problems arose with the 51-year-old client.

“Oh dear Sis, I’m dead if things are like this,’’ Zakaria said.

“What would happen if the doctor asks about me? This is dangerous for me sis. If the doctor brings a case against me I’m dead sis. I beg you please don’t mention my name sis. If I’m implicated I’m toast. If it’s all my fault I’m dead. I’m to blame for everything then I should just get a ticket to return to Malaysia.

“It’s not my fault right? I never forced her to do it with me. How could I know this would happen and the Botox was not suitable for (client A).’’

Zakaria used an unregulated product.

Client B said her botched treatment meant she “cannot smile” because her face is so tight.

She said client A remained in hospital and was still suffering severe botulism symptoms as of February 12.

Zakaria conceded to a commission employee shewas not a registered health practitioner but her clients knew that and “willingly consent to the risks associated with the procedures”.

She revealed she is only qualified to carry out micro-needling and massage therapy and imported her “type-of-Botox, Glo-Tox” from her doctor in Malaysia.

She later apologised to the officer and said she would cease working in beauty therapy.

“I apologise for any harm or inconvenience caused by the product I was using and was unaware I was doing anything wrong,” she said.

“Whatever you’re (sic) findings I will not dispute them.”

Botulism is a rare but potentially deadly illness caused by a toxin produced by a bacterium that can lead to muscle paralysis, and can be contracted through contaminated wounds, food, or by infants ingesting spores.

Zakaria had only been in Australia on a visitor’s visa since September 2023 and remained in Australia while applying for a student visa, however her status in Australia became unlawful in August.

According to the HCCC decision, one client from an isolated incident in October stated Zakaria’s Belmore home had a room set up like a clinic with a “treatment bed and certificates hanging up everywhere” and referred to herself as a beautician with six years’ experience.

Originally published as Health authorities ban Botox injector Norsafiza Binti Zakaria