LAGOS SAFETY COMMISSION RAISES ALARM OVER UNSAFE BEAUTY PRACTICES, ADVOCATES STRONGER OVERSIGHT
The Lagos State Safety Commission has expressed concern over the rising number of health and safety complaints from customers of beauty and spa parlours across the state, citing a growing need for stricter regulation and ethical compliance in the industry.
Speaking at a seminar organised by the Commission on Monday in Ikeja, themed: “Ethical Practices in the Beauty and Spa Industry”, the Director-General of the Lagos Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, represented by the Technical Adviser to the Commission, Mr. Seun Awojobi said the state was responding to a worrying trend of incidents involving the misuse of chemicals, health complications, and reports of sexual harassment in some beauty establishments.
According to Awojobi, the seminar was convened to engage stakeholders in the beauty and spa sector to uphold safety standards, ethical practices, and regulatory compliance in line with existing policies and environmental guidelines.
He noted that some customers have suffered adverse reactions and complications after undergoing procedures at unregulated beauty centres, with some cases involving the use of toxic chemicals and unethical service delivery.
While affirming that individuals have the freedom to make personal choices regarding their appearance and self-care, Awojobi stressed that service providers must adhere strictly to safety protocols, especially when dealing with substances that could endanger human health.
The Commission, he said, works closely with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) to monitor the availability and usage of potentially dangerous substances within the sector.
The seminar brought together practitioners from the beauty, wellness and spa sectors, government officials, and health and safety experts, all of whom agreed on the urgent need for ethical reform and capacity building in the sector.
The Lagos State Safety Commission said it will continue its advocacy and enforcement drive to ensure the safety and well-being of residents who patronise beauty and spa services.
The event featured lectures by major practitioners who all hammered on adequate, continuous training for practitioners, elimination of quackery and corporate self-respect on the part of their members.