APSMAN President urges Nigeria to create a regulatory board for aesthetic medicine
Medical aestheticians in Nigeria are calling on the Federal Government to establish a regulatory board for aesthetic medicine to ensure proper standards in the practice and curb the rise of quackery in the field.
The professionals, represented by the Association of Practitioners of Spa and Medical Aesthetics of Nigeria (APSMAN), emphasize that a governing body will protect clients’ safety and help maintain professionalism in the growing sector of aesthetic medicine.
Speaking at a recent Aesthetics Industry event, APSMAN President, Dr. Felix Avajah, explained that laws and regulations are necessary to guide the industry, promote client safety, and support the growth of medical aesthetics professionals. He highlighted the importance of tackling quackery, noting that unqualified individuals posing as professionals have caused harm to many clients.
Dr. Avajah stated, “We need a Board of Regulation for Aesthetic Medicine Practitioners of Nigeria to regulate the profession. We now have academic programs; we believe in standards, professionalism, good ethics, and education. We believe so much in regulation.”
He further explained that APSMAN had already partnered with government-accredited institutions to start academic qualifications for aesthetic practitioners, which would help with regulation. “When there is certification, there is regulation,” he said. This initiative aims to remove quacks from the industry and encourage people to pursue proper education in aesthetic medicine instead of engaging in harmful practices.
Dr. Avajah also noted the increasing popularity of aesthetic medicine, explaining, “Beauty talks. When you look beautiful, you are happy, and you live long.”
Prof. Raheem Akewushola, Provost of Lagos State College of Health Technology in Yaba, stressed the importance of quality assurance in the industry. He pointed out that the growing demand for non-invasive, effective, and safe treatments is driving the need for quality aesthetic services. “We are working with APSMAN to ensure quality aesthetic medicine service delivery in Nigeria,” he said, adding that training practitioners is essential to minimizing accidents in the field.
Dr. Akinmayowa Akin-Otiko, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies, University of Lagos, highlighted the importance of wellness in aesthetic medicine. He encouraged partnerships among professionals and emphasized that wellness goes beyond appearance, focusing also on inner health.
“Looking good and staying healthy are fundamental aspects of wellness. Wellness is not only about appearance but also about inner health, which manifests externally,” he explained.
Dr. Akin-Otiko also suggested that APSMAN collaborate with traditional medicine practitioners, believing that combining traditional and aesthetic medicine could bring about more healing.
