The Algerian Ministry of Commerce has launched a campaign targeting the use of expired materials in beauty parlors following a surge in complaints from women.
Ministry of Commerce Targets Unlicensed Practices
In response to a growing number of grievances from female citizens, the Algerian Ministry of Commerce has initiated a widespread campaign against beauty and cosmetic salons. A significant number of these establishments are reportedly operating unlawfully, utilizing expired products and employing unqualified personnel.
Thousands of Violations Recorded
Since the commencement of the campaign, the Department of Supervision and Anti-Fraud under the Ministry of Commerce and National Market Regulation has documented approximately 1,600 violations. These infractions pertain to the execution of medical and paramedical procedures by individuals lacking the necessary expertise, particularly within beauty salons, body care centers, and hairdressers.
Deformity Resulting from Filler Injection
During the campaign, a woman named Asmaa recounted her experience of being misled by social media advertisements for a lip filler offered by a beauty salon at a significantly lower price than others. Speaking to Al Arabiya Net, she explained that after being numbed and taken to the injection room, she noticed the syringe had been used previously, which raised her concerns, though the salon staff reassured her.
“Initially, the result was quite satisfactory, and I even paid more than the requested amount as a token of appreciation,” she added. “However, after a few weeks, my lips swelled to the point of completely altering my appearance. I took painkillers for several days, but there was no improvement.”
She emphasized enduring several days of severe pain and disfigurement. “When I went to the clinic, which was actually an apartment in a building, they told me that the woman who performed the injection no longer worked there. No one, not even the management, was willing to provide information about the injected substance, making any attempt to remove it difficult because doctors are afraid to take risks.”
Calls for Legal Age Restrictions
Saber Hafnawi, a beauty specialist in Algeria, explained that “there is a competition among women, especially to undergo various cosmetic procedures. Even women who achieve satisfactory results from a cosmetic procedure seek more, thus falling victim to unethical cosmetic practices.”
He also stressed that “the most significant reason for the failure of cosmetic procedures is that applicants have no information about the details. These procedures are even performed on individuals under 18 years old because Algerian law does not prohibit it. However, the principle is that these procedures should be performed on individuals whose bone growth and soft tissue development between their skin is complete.”
He called for the establishment of a “minimum legal age for undergoing cosmetic procedures or obtaining consent from the applicant’s guardian” and “strict oversight of the conditions in beauty salons.”
Law in the Works to Regulate Beauty Salons
Fadi Tamim, the national coordinator of the Consumer Guidance and Protection Organization, announced that Algerian authorities are drafting a law to revise the operations of beauty salons. In an interview with Al Arabiya Net, he stated, “The organization met with the Medical Ethics Committee and officials from the Ministry of Commerce to discuss a new law aimed at defining the legal boundaries of beauty professions, particularly specialties such as Chinese acupuncture, massage, cupping, and others.”
Tamim further explained that this measure is due to the “deviation of beauty salons from their original purpose and their engagement in illegal activities. These centers should adhere to their previous activities, those they practiced before intervening in cosmetic surgeries.”
Exploitation and Abuse
He also added that although these salons were not qualified to perform such activities, “their owners exploited the authorities’ negligence to promote this lucrative business.”
He reported “improper cosmetic procedures, including deformities, errors, and ethical violations, as these salons do not acknowledge the claims of their victims and may threaten them if they seek to pursue their complaints.”
Unlicensed Equipment and Medications
It is worth noting that out of 9,191 interventions, the Ministry of Commerce recorded 1,585 violations, issued 1,514 judicial reports, and closed 110 establishments.
Among the most common violations are the use of unauthorized specialized surgical tools and devices, expired medications, ointments, and medical supplies (4.2 tons of which were confiscated) by specialists who have not received medical training.
From: radionisaa