Materia Medica Malaysiana

Ministry to crack down on errant beauty salons

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will crack down on beauty salons nationwide following numerous complaints on the use of unregistered products and the handling of equipment by unqualified personnel.

Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek revealed that in the first raid in Penang on Nov 4, seven out of 13 salons were found to be using unregistered products.

“We have confiscated products, including syringes, capsules and cream valued at between RM20,000 and RM30,000.

“The owners of the premises and individuals involved will be charged in court,” he said at Wisma MCA here yesterday.

Dr Chua said the ministry's enforcement team would conduct the next raid before Hari Raya but did not reveal which state.

He said the ministry would also come up with a Medical Device Act to control the use of medical devices as many unqualified people were using them to carry out beauty treatments.

“Beauty salons are mushrooming all over the country.

“Some people claim they are plastic surgeons. There are also others who use equipment like laser machines and inject stem cells and botox into patients, claiming that such treatment will make them young again,” Dr Chua said.

He urged those wanting to seek beauty treatment to check with the ministry's National Pharmaceutical Bureau whether the products which would be used were registered.

He said they should also consult their family doctors.

Anyone found guilty under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1984 could be fined up to RM25,000 or jailed not more than three years or both for the first offence.

“Those convicted the second time can be fined not more than RM50,000 or jailed not more than five years or both.

“As for companies, they can be fined up to RM50,000 for the first offence and up to RM100,000 for the second,” he said.