Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is proud to support Day Two of Trading Standards Wales' (TSW) Spotlight Week, which today, focuses on "Get Cosmetic Confident," empowering residents to make safer choices about the products and procedures they choose.
The THREE day campaign by Trading Standards Wales' and ALL Local Authorities focuses on consumer safety and awareness.
On Day two the Council is issuing a warning to residents ahead of the festive party season about the true cost of beauty, highlighting the significant dangers associated with buying fake cosmetics and undergoing risky, unregulated special procedures – All in the name of beauty!
With many famous online retailers offering the latest viral cosmetics at less than half price it’s important to know the RHODE less travelled and the Alarming Danger of Counterfeit Cosmetics.
The desire for a bargain is never higher than during the festive season, but it should never come at the expense of your health or even worse your TWEENS. Fake or counterfeit cosmetics are a booming black-market industry, often containing highly toxic and dangerous substances that could result in a scar of a lifetime.
- Toxic Ingredients: Tests have revealed that fake products—often disguised as high-end brands—can contain harmful chemicals, including lead, mercury, arsenic, paint stripper, and even rat poison. In some shocking cases, urine and high levels of bacteria have been found.
- Severe Health Risks: Using these products can lead to severe allergic reactions, chemical burns, permanent disfigurement, infections, and long-term health issues such as acne, eczema, and systemic poisoning.
The Council is strongly advising consumers to only purchase beauty products from authorised retailers, established high street stores, or official brand websites. There have been a number of reports that even a large online, well-known retailer unknowingly sells ‘fake’ products through its third-party sellers.
The key to keeping safe is - If a deal seems too good to be true, it usually is!
The hunt for eternal youth and beauty doesn’t end at cosmetics and more and more people are undertaking invasive beauty treatments such as dermal fillers, semi-permanent makeup, and piercing, but they can carry serious risks when performed by unqualified practitioners.
Procedures carried out in unhygienic environments or by individuals lacking proper training can result in life-threatening infections (including sepsis), severe scarring, nerve damage, blindness, and permanent facial asymmetry.
Unregulated practitioners have been found using cheap, counterfeit, or industrial-grade substances not approved for use on the human body, leading to unpredictable and devastating complications.
Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, said:
“The safety of our consumers is paramount, and it’s important to remember that beauty is only skin deep! I know that we all like to look and feel good, especially as the party season approaches, but I urge consumers to stop and think if its worth it?
“If they still want to go ahead then make sure your safe. In December last year Wales introduced a rigorous licensing scheme under the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 to protect the public and ensure consistent standards of infection prevention and control for special procedures. Consumers can now check if their practitioners are approved and licensed online at www.specialprocedures.co.uk.”
Special procedures requiring a licence now include:
- Acupuncture (including dry needling)
- Body Piercing (including ear piercing)
- Electrolysis
- Tattooing (including semi-permanent makeup and microblading)
Practitioners and premises must be approved, which involves passing an approved Level 2 Infection Prevention and Control course. Crucially, the licence confirms the licence holder's knowledge and application of safety standards, reducing the risk of harm to the client's health.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has 58 Approved businesses in the area and 105 Licensed Practitioners registered to carry out special procedures. Consumers can now check if their practitioners are approved and licensed online at www.specialprocedures.co.uk
How to Stay Safe:
The responsibility for choosing a safe practitioner lies with the consumer.
Always follow these essential steps:
- Always ask to see the practitioner’s Special Procedure Licence (Photo ID Card) and the Premises/Vehicle Approval Certificate. Licensed individuals must display their licence or wear their lanyard.
- Before booking, check the Special Procedures Wales Public Register online to confirm the practitioner and premises are licensed - www.specialprocedures.co.uk.
- Ask about their specific training for the procedure and ensure they hold adequate insurance to cover potential complications.
- Enquire about the products they use (e.g., inks, fillers). They should be able to confirm the brand, batch number, and that they are safe and authorised.
- If the environment seems unhygienic, the price is suspiciously low, or the practitioner avoids answering questions about safety and credentials, walk away.
More information on the Special Procedures Licensing Scheme.
Posted on 12/11/2025