UAE authority launches public health campaign against ‘dangerous’ cosmetics salons

The Abu Dhabi authority reportedly discovered 63 beauty salons in the city using expired, harmful or unhygienic cosmetics, including some without business licenses.

In a move likely to affect the practices of beauty providers, the authority has launched a campaign to encourage women to buy only safe beauty products from shopping centers, titled ‘Your Safety, Your Beauty.’

This development is part of a chronic problem in the region with unsafe and expired cosmetics, an issue which is especially threatening in Abu Dhabi.

Ahmad Nader Al Neyadi, commented to Gulf News regarding home treatments: “We have received some 20 complaints from clients, mostly related to expired products, hygiene and non-sterile instruments.”​

Effects on retailers​

The intensive public health campaign is likely to affect retailers and salons in the municipality, with 335 outlets in the city pledging to use only high-quality beauty products and to follow hygienic practices.

The UAE authority reportedly wishes to discourage home treatments after complaints about the use of expired or unhygienic cosmetics.

They will also launch a series of workshops on the “rights and duties”​ of beauty salons in order to encourage cosmetics providers in the region to follow best practice.

Amongst other things, salons have now been asked to refuse service to girls under the age of 12 due to the fact that the chemicals can be even more harmful to children in this vulnerable demographic.

In an interview with the online publication Gulf News, Fatima Al Gafli, an official from the department, said that women should ensure that beauty products they use are safe and not likely to contain harmful chemicals.

Dangerous cosmetics in Abu Dhabi​

Unsafe and expired cosmetics are a chronic problem in the UAE, particularly in the municipality of Abu Dhabi.

In 2011 and 2010, the region’s government seized or destroyed several tons of dangerous beauty products which were on sale in cosmetics shops and salons in the city.

The authority, which runs regular inspections and confiscations at cosmetics shops, noted that it discovered 2,650 irregularities in retail outlets and salons in just the last year.