Unlicensed beauty clinics in Iraq raise public health concerns, specialists warn

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Unlicensed beauty and cosmetic centers have spread rapidly across Iraq in recent years, drawing warnings from medical specialists about serious public health risks. Plastic surgeon Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim said some facilities operate without permits and are run by people who are not qualified physicians, according to data compiled by provincial health directorates. Health officials have documented violations across the sector, including the use of unapproved and substandard materials to cut costs. Such practices have led to severe complications for patients, Ibrahim said. One woman told local media that her daughter suffered serious complications after a cosmetic procedure at an unlicensed clinic, adding that the materials used were later found to fall short of required standards. Sociologist Sa’dun Ali said social media platforms are aggressively marketing cosmetic procedures and steering young women toward them without medical necessity. Specialists are calling for tighter licensing and oversight of materials used in the sector, restrictions on misleading advertising, and broader public awareness campaigns about the risks.