Officials closed down a beauty parlor
Portuguese Beauty Establishments Suspended Over Health and Safety Concerns
In a recent development, several beauty salons in the municipalities of Cascais and Lisbon have been temporarily closed due to violations of health and safety regulations. The Environmental and Sanitation Agency (ERS) and the Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE) conducted inspections in response to complaints about the provision of healthcare services by unqualified professionals in the beauty industry.
The inspections revealed serious noncompliance with regulations concerning the reprocessing of multiple-use medical devices and the management of hospital waste. These issues compromise the protection of human health and the environment. As a result, the ERS issued a precautionary measure to suspend the activities of the inspected establishments until the risks are fully mitigated.
The ERS precautionary measure was based on the unqualified provision of healthcare services in the beauty industry and the failure to comply with the legal requirements applicable to the reprocessing of multiple-use medical devices and the management of hospital waste. The violations included the use of specific medical devices or treatments, such as botulinum toxin, injectable hyaluronic acid, biostimulants, anesthetics, and PDO tension threads, by unqualified personnel.
Only physicians are authorized to perform certain medical procedures within beauty establishments, such as minor surgical interventions like bichectomy, blepharoplasty, chin and neck liposuction. The principle of protecting human health and the environment was not ensured in the inspected establishments, leading to the precautionary measure.
The ERS emphasized that the precautionary measure will only be considered nullified when the elimination of the risk to the health and safety of users is demonstrated. The case was reported to the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Tax and Customs Authority for further action. However, the ERS did not specify a timeline for the removal of the precautionary measure.
The inspections have underscored the importance of adhering to regulations regarding the reprocessing of medical devices and hospital waste management in the beauty industry. They also highlight the need for stricter enforcement of regulations to ensure public health and safety. The violations have been confirmed by both the ERS and ASAE.
The ERS and ASAE inspections continue to reveal violations in the inspected establishments related to the reprocessing of medical devices and hospital waste management. The ERS stated that the precautionary measure remains in effect until the risk to the health and safety of users is eliminated.
This incident serves as a reminder that the provision of healthcare services involving medical procedures and devices in beauty salons must be overseen by qualified medical professionals. The regulations strictly prohibit the provision of such services by unqualified professionals in Portugal.
In light of the violations, it's crucial to enforce health and safety regulations not only in medical-conditions environments but also in health-and-wellness industries like fashion-and-beauty, particularly beauty salons. The misuse of medical devices or treatments by unqualified personnel, such as botulinum toxin or PDO tension threads, poses a risk to human health and wellbeing, as illustrated by the recent suspensions in Portuguese beauty establishments. Adherence to science-based practices in all industries is essential for maintaining a lifestyle that prioritizes health and wellness.
