• Public urged to check qualifications, expertise and field of practice including of beauticians, med. professionals 

The health authorities cautioned the public about the importance of verifying the qualifications and fields of expertise of those providing beauty-enhancement services, including medical professionals.

During a media briefing held yesterday (15) by the Health Ministry’s Health Promotion Bureau, the Sri Lanka College of Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine Chairperson Dr. Nayani Madarasingha noted that in a context where these services range from dyeing one’s hair to complex plastic surgeries, the public needs to be aware of the qualifications of their service providers to ensure safe and health-conscious beauty outcomes. 

Advising the public to check whether the service provider has the necessary qualifications in the particular area and whether they work within that area of specialisation, she added: “Generally, a beautician’s treatment is limited to the skin’s surface. A beautician is not qualified to administer treatments that involve tissue fluids or injections.”

Noting that various types of qualified medical professionals are engaged in the beautification sector, including dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and even some general practitioners (GPs), she emphasised the importance of checking their qualifications. She stressed that anyone can verify a practitioner’s registration and qualifications with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC).

“We see a lot of appearance-enhancement treatments leading to complications,” Dr. Madarasingha said, adding that it is necessary to seek such treatments only after a proper diagnosis to prevent adverse outcomes.