MANILA, Philippines—The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering regulating spas and wellness clinics after finding that some of these establishments were using unlicensed or unregistered cosmetic products or were  engaging in nonapproved treatments.

 

“The FDA is still studying if it will cover all spas and beauty skin or wellness clinics in its licensing or permitting systems to protect the health and welfare of the consumers,” FDA Administrator Kenneth Hartigan-Go said in an advisory.

 

The health agency discovered some potentially harmful practices by some spas and wellness centers, after monitoring health products offered by 15 establishments in December last year. The facilities are located in the cities of San Juan, Muntinlupa and Taguig.

 

The results of the FDA inspection were as follows:

 

Some establishments were using cosmetic products that were “not notified with or had no market authorization from the FDA.”

 

Some unlicensed spas and clinics were repacking products manufactured by legitimate cosmetic manufacturers and relabeling them with their own names.

 

Three clinics were offering glutathione injections to their clients. The use of glutathione as a systematic skin whitening agent had no approval from the agency.

 

There were owners/dermatologists in possession of injectable botulinum toxin medicines.