Iraq tightens regulations on cosmetic procedures

Shafaq News/ Iraq’s beauty industry has seen significant growth since 2003, with many centers initially offering cosmetic and orthodontic services. However, this boom attracted unskilled people, especially dentists, to enter the lucrative market, prompting a response from the authorities.

Regulatory response

In response, the Ministry of Health and Environment issued strict regulations restricting the practice to qualified professionals.

On May 6, the Iraqi Ministry of Health announced a ban on dentists performing mesotherapy, fillers, Botox and other cosmetic injections in all centers.

According to a ministry document obtained by the Shafaq news agency, “The Minister agreed to invalidate the letter of the Management Board of Specialized Centers/Department of Development and Scientific Research of September 16, 2021, number 54500, addressed to the Dental Chamber. Ministry regulations prohibit all dentists from injecting fillers, Botox, mesotherapy or other cosmetic substances such as stem cells and exosomes, according to the regulations.”

A dentist’s perspective

Dentist Takbeer Al-Jubouri states: “Dentists are not allowed to open beauty salons, but they can run clinics and perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures on the lower and middle third of the face, in accordance with the regulations of the Iraqi Ministry of Health. The current disorder is due to cosmetic centers supervised by plastic surgeons and dermatologists , but employing unlicensed beauticians or salon owners, therefore the work of dentists is legal and unrelated to the current chaos.

He points out to Shafaq News Agency: “A beauty center is completely different from a clinic. Clinics obtain approval from the Syndicate of Dentists, while beauty centers require approval from the Ministry of Health and are licensed only to plastic surgeons and dermatologists. Therefore, a dentist cannot open a large cosmetic center unless they are an investor who has obtained a license from a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.”

Al-Jubouri adds: “Officially licensed beauty centers in Iraq are under the supervision of specialized dermatologists or plastic surgeons. However, some have rented out their centers to beauticians and salon owners who then administer the injections, contributing to the current confusion.”

He points out that although the work of dentists has been legal since 2018 under ministerial orders, a recent decision has suspended it, “even though these procedures are part of a dentist’s work.”

Inspection campaign

The Iraqi Ministry of Health announced a large-scale inspection campaign targeting beauty centers in Baghdad.

According to the ministry’s announcement, ministerial teams from the Private Health Care Facilities Section of the Department of Inspection and the Department of Public Health carried out an extensive inspection campaign to monitor beauty centers in Baghdad.

Director General of the Sabah Control Department Nouri Al-Khazali stated that as part of the campaign, which targeted a number of beauty centers in various districts of Baghdad, “the requirements for opening these centers were closely monitored, including professional licenses, compliance with health standards, infection measures inspections, staff references, validity of medical materials and supplies, quality of medical equipment, safety requirements and civil defense procedures.”

Concerns and actions

On May 20, Majid Shingali, chairman of the parliamentary health committee, provided the Iraqi Ministry of Health with a list of 17 beauty centers to check the status of their licenses.

The document obtained by Shafaq News and sent by Shingali to the Ministry of Health requested confirmation of the centers’ licensing status as beauty establishments. The document also asked for copies of these licenses to be provided to the committee.

Talking about this request, Shingali tells Shafaq News, “We have requested preliminary information to determine whether these centers are licensed or not in order to take appropriate follow-up actions. There have been complaints about some centers employing unqualified people to perform procedures such as fillers and Botox injections.”

He emphasizes that “The Ministry of Health, through its Control Department and branches in individual voivodeships, has closed over 100 beauty centers over the last three months and this process is still ongoing. However, public cooperation and awareness of the risks associated with these facilities In addition, some hair salons perform treatments that resemble non-surgical interventions, such as fillers and Botox. Violators face closure, but those wishing to open licensed beauty centers can do so in accordance with Ministry of Health regulations and guidelines. “

Despite the increase in the number of beauty centers, the Iraqi Medical Association has identified hundreds of “fake and unlicensed” beauty centers, particularly in various areas of the capital, Baghdad.

Official licenses

Dr. Hasanin Safaa Shabbar, president of the Iraqi Medical Association, highlights the prevalence of unlicensed beauty centers in Iraq, estimating that the number officially licensed by the Ministry of Health is limited to about 105.

He revealed to Shafaq News that the unauthorized centers are managed by medical or non-medical personnel, which “poses a serious health risk and disrupts medical standards.”

When it comes to the specialization of cosmetic clinics, Shabbar emphasizes that plastic surgery is an appropriate specialty.

“Although some procedures are described as cosmetic, they do not qualify as true plastic surgery, but rather non-surgical procedures, the domain of plastic surgeons and dermatologists.”

Shabbar discusses dentists’ recent involvement in cosmetic procedures, noting that such endeavors require careful professional consideration and adherence to scientific decisions and advisory committee guidelines established by the Medical Association.

It criticizes the commercial use of the term “cosmetic”, warning that its misuse can lead to complications and health risks for customers, and calls for more rigorous supervision of the industry.