The Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE), in collaboration with the Health Regulatory Authority (ERS), has initiated a criminal proceeding and named a defendant following an inspection of an aesthetics establishment in Marinha Grande.
This action, as stated by ASAE in a communiqué released to media outlets on Monday, resulted from an inspection of establishments providing health care in aesthetics allegedly by unqualified professionals in that region.
ASAE revealed that during the action, there was evidence of “several invasive procedures, including the administration of botulinum toxin,” commonly known as ‘Botox’, “the use of hyaluronic acid fillers, and the application of tension threads,” among other acts “directly related to health care provision and potentially compromising the health and safety of clients.”
As a result of the intervention, “ASAE initiated a criminal procedure for usurpation of functions, having gathered sufficient evidence of acts performed by individuals without the necessary legal qualifications.” Additionally, “one establishment’s manager was named a defendant and subjected to identity and residence verification.”
These actions, clarified Notícias ao Minuto, involved inspection of only one establishment.
ASAE proceeded to seize various products and substances utilized in the mentioned procedures, “notably including botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid, lidocaine, tension threads, and Liporase packaging with Korean characters.”
ASAE and ERS emphasize that “health care in aesthetics should be performed exclusively by legally qualified professionals in duly authorized and licensed establishments, ensuring full compliance with legal requirements regarding quality, safety, and hygiene.”
The authority also noted the continuation of inspections “aimed at safeguarding public health, preventing illegal practices, and strengthening citizen confidence in the reliability and legality of services provided in this sector.”
Such actions have been common lately. More recently, in June this year, ERS suspended an aesthetics establishment in the Faro district where medicine and/or dentistry acts were performed by an unqualified professional.
ERS found “procedures involving botulinum toxin [botox] and bio-stimulants, as well as facial and body fillers using injectable hyaluronic acid,” which “require the use of drugs and/or medical devices whose packaging/leaflet contains the indication/warning of exclusive use by doctors” and “consist of invasive injection/insertion procedures into the skin.”
At the time, ERS reported that the findings were communicated to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Following several complaints, ERS inspected various establishments in the Faro district.
Notícias ao Minuto | 17:24 – 12/06/2025
