The Lagos State Safety Commission has raised concerns about a surge in health and safety complaints from clients of beauty and spa centres across the state, highlighting the urgent need for tighter regulation and ethical enforcement in the industry.

Speaking at a seminar themed “Ethical Practices in the Beauty and Spa Industry” on Monday, the Director-General of the Commission, Lanre Mojola—represented by Technical Adviser Seun Awojobi—said the state is tackling an increasing number of reported incidents involving chemical misuse, health complications, and allegations of sexual harassment within the sector.

Awojobi explained that the forum was convened to engage industry stakeholders on the importance of complying with safety standards, upholding ethical practices, and aligning operations with existing environmental and regulatory policies.

“Our primary mandate at the Lagos Safety Commission is the protection of lives and property, and we do this through training, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and enforcement,” Awojobi said.

He noted a notable rise in the number of beauty and spa parlours in Lagos, stressing that this growth necessitates stricter regulatory oversight—particularly regarding the handling of hazardous substances.

According to him, several customers have reported adverse health effects and complications after receiving treatments at unregulated centres, some of which involved the use of toxic chemicals or unethical conduct.

“There have been cases where clients suffered serious health issues after visits to these establishments. We’ve also received disturbing reports of sexual harassment. These issues are completely unacceptable,” he said.

While acknowledging individuals' rights to make personal decisions about their appearance and wellness routines, Awojobi emphasized that service providers must comply with established safety protocols—especially when working with potentially dangerous materials.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that any substance used in treatments is properly regulated and safe for human use. There are specific policies in place, and all chemicals must meet those standards,” he added.

The commission, he said, is collaborating with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) to monitor the use and availability of potentially harmful substances in the industry.

“Hazardous chemicals must not be freely accessible without proper documentation and regulatory oversight. Our partnership with agencies like LASEPA helps reinforce these controls,” Awojobi stated.

The seminar brought together beauty and wellness professionals, government officials, and health and safety experts to discuss strategies for improving industry standards.

The Safety Commission reiterated its commitment to continued advocacy and enforcement to protect residents who patronise spa and beauty services in the state.