DUBAI: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has banned the use of laser hair removal systems by beauty parlours, an official said.
Dr Mohammad Osama Kayali, head of DHA'S regulation section, told XPRESS that "all beauty establishments [salons and cosmetic centres] that provide hair removal services using medical devices such as laser and IPL (intense pulsed light) machines shall cease the service by the end of August 2011".
Beauty establishments violating the ban could face closure or fines up to Dh10,000, Kayali warned. He said the new regulations, which have been notified to all salons, are aimed at protecting the public from the dangers of laser exposure.
In January XPRESS reported how a young woman was badly scarred after a beauty treatment at a Dubai salon left her with second degree burns days before her wedding.
Expert hand needed
"Based on regional and international benchmarks, hair removal by laser and IPL are considered medical procedures. The aim of these procedures is to reduce unwanted hair from the body; the procedure is considered invasive and may lead to complications and side-effects if not conducted by trained and qualified health care professionals," he explained.
If beauty establishments want to continue offering hair removal services then they must change their facility title from salons to that of a health care service provider. They can do so by meeting the requirements set by DHA.
"They need to employ a licensed specialist dermatologist or plastic surgeon if they wish to continue this service," added Kayali.
"In many instances, excessive hair growth is due to hormonal imbalances which need specialist medical advice and follow-up," he said.
One salon, Princess Beauty Salon in Al Warqa'a 1, has already reached an agreement with officials in DHA to get their laser hair removal services licensed.
Lubna Shaker, a practitioner in the salon, told XPRESS, "The health authority [asked us] to move the laser services to the first floor, and turn it into a clinic separate from our salon."
Meanwhile, the general manager of Karisma Beauty Centre, behind Lamcy Plaza, said they have not been informed of any new regulations.
Speaking on the safety and efficiency of laser hair removal methods, Dr Hussain Abdul Razeq, a dermatologist at Kaya Skin Clinic, said: "Laser hair removal is considered a safe and effective technology for removal of unwanted hair if done under expert care."
