All cosmetic devices must be registered

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The National Drugs and Cosmetic Devices Control Authority has made it compulsory to register all cosmetic devices before releasing them into the market.

The registration number and the dates of manufacture and expiry should be clearly displayed on the product. The authority requested the public to check details before buying cosmetic devices, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, most cosmetic devices such as fairness creams, skin whitening creams and hair dye available in the market have not been registered.

"The content of such products are not known. Cosmetic devices can be sold only through pharmacies but the products are available in all shops", he said.

Males and females visit State hospitals seeking treatment for skin disorders, fall of hair, eye disorders, burnt and wounded lips after using certain cosmetic devices and related products available in the market. Such products are often given to shops by persons who travel abroad, he said.

The authority took this decision to set required standards in selling cosmetic devices because the treatment for complications caused by low quality cosmetic devices is much more expensive than the treatment for natural illnesses, he added.