Australia’s NSW Health finds illegal harmful products in cosmetic clinics

New South Wales (NSW) Health Care Complaints Commission has issued a public warning over unsafe and illegal practices at beauty clinics.

The warning was issued as consumers were found to be spending money on a range of cosmetic services such as skin penetration procedures including micro-needling, platelet rich plasma treatment, non-surgical breast and hip enhancements, nose bridge lifts, double eyelid suturing, and anti-ageing facial treatments.

The commission and the NSW Department of Health’s pharmaceutical regulatory unit carried out investigations at cosmetic clinics in Sydney to identify and address any areas of non-compliance. 

Conducted at seven clinics in Chatswood and Haymarket, investigations found the use of illegally imported and potentially harmful antibiotics, potent anaesthetic creams, antiseptic lotions, anti-viral tablets, and human placenta injections.

In addition, it was found that registered medical practitioners were not present during procedures.

The inspections also provided evidence that the clinics used medication not listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.

Earlier this month, the CPCA called on health ministers to strengthen the regulations for cosmetic treatments in the country. The organisation highlighted that advertisements made by certain non-medical beauty therapists might mislead people to believe that the practice is medically qualified.