The Hong Kong Medical Association and the Consumer Council Sunday expressed concern over the loosely regulated cosmetic-treatment industry, saying the government should establish a standardized system to monitor the quality of beauty salons.

The Hong Kong Medical Association and the Consumer Council Sunday expressed concern over the loosely regulated cosmetic-treatment industry, saying the government should establish a standardized system to monitor the quality of beauty salons.

"The slow pace in regulating cosmetic treatment has exposed the government's sluggish attitude on the issue," HKMA vice president Louis Shih Tai-cho said at City Forum.

"Beauty treatment is a booming business and the council receives scores of complaints every year," Lau said, noting the council received 69 complaints about laser cosmetic treatment in 2005, of which 32 involved side- effects.

Lasers have become a popular option for "resurfacing" the skin and removing facial lines. In 2001, the HKMA called on the government to regulate the treatments, saying lasers were a potential health risk in the hands of untrained operators.

Lau suggested the Department of Health and the Vocational Training Centre collaborate on a standardized system to monitor the quality of the cosmetic-treatment industry.

The debate over regulating the industry has intensified following recent controversy over breast implants involving the use of hydrophilic polyacrylamide gel, or PAAG, that resulted in at least six Hong Kong women having breasts removed.

Aside from the health risks, Chow said there was no scientific evidence that PAAG injections could boost women's breast size and that the industry had stopped using it. At present, PAAG is not listed as a medical substance and its use cannot be monitored.

Legislators Wednesday passed a nonbinding motion that the government regulate medical devices such as PAAG implants, and review existing laws to prevent exaggerated and false claims about beauty care, weight loss, and plastic-surgery services and products.

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