The cosmetic industry in Ireland continues to remain under regulated by the Irish State. The example of this is the recent scandal involving the Poly Implant Prosthesis (PIP) scandal when the manufacturer, PIP, admitted that it used unapproved silicone in its so-called silicone breast implants brushing off fears of a health risk.
In late 2010, the same breast implants sparked cancer fears in France after one woman with ruptured implants died from cancer. The devices were banned in 2010 and are now the focus of thousands of complaints and lawsuits throughout the World. Hundreds of women in Ireland who received these implants are now left in a very vulnerable position as the main clinic that supplied these implants, the Harley Medical Group, has now gone into liquidation.
There are also concerns in relation to dermal fillers which are injections used to fill wrinkles and plump skin. Botox, dermal fillers, laser hair removal and skin peeling are not regulated here in Ireland and consumers have little protection when cosmetic procedures go wrong. Many of the beauty clinics that provide these treatments have no insurance to compensate injured clients.
The issue of dangers in the cosmetic industry are far reaching. Cosmetic manufacturers can use whatever they want to create skincare and beauty products which mean that toxins and other dangerous ingredients find their way into makeup and lotions which many women use as part of their daily routine. Certain cosmetics have been found to contain Ethyl-Glycol- antifreeze as a primary ingredient as well as petroleum which is often used as a base ingredient in lip-balms and moisturisers.
