Colombian health authorities in Barranquilla have shut down eight illegal aesthetic centers and seized drugs, equipment, and supplies used in unauthorized invasive procedures, including liposuction and laser lipolysis. The crackdown, conducted between May and early June 2026, highlights growing risks for patients seeking low-cost treatments and signals stricter enforcement for medical aesthetics supply chains serving the region.
Regulatory crackdown details
Between May and early June 2026, the Barranquilla District Health Secretariat discovered multiple establishments operating outside regulations, performing invasive procedures without proper authorization, certified medical staff, or minimum safety conditions. Authorities ordered the preventive closure of eight aesthetic centers, spas, and clinics, and confiscated medications, equipment, and supplies that posed potential public health risks.
Hidden operating rooms found
Inspectors identified clandestine operating rooms set up in hair salons, commercial premises, homes, and apartments. These spaces lacked authorization to provide health services or the required conditions for medical procedures. According to the Barranquilla Mayor's Office, these locations performed liposuctions, laser lipolysis, intravenous serum applications, and other invasive body treatments—procedures that legally require certified health professionals and authorized facilities.
Broader enforcement trend
Between 2024 and 2026, the health secretariat conducted 33 inspection, surveillance, and control interventions against irregular aesthetic and surgical service providers. These actions detected cases where unqualified individuals performed cosmetic surgery procedures and establishments offered services without legal authorization. Additionally, 102 registered health service providers—including IPS and independent professionals—were inspected to verify compliance with Ministry of Health habilitation standards.
Official warning on patient safety
District Health Secretary Stephanie Araujo warned citizens not to be lured by low-cost offers. "This is not a price discussion; it is a matter of survival. Before undergoing any procedure, the user's obligation is to verify the site and the professional," she said. Araujo emphasized that aesthetic centers, hair salons, beauty parlors, and spas are not authorized to perform invasive procedures involving cannulas, internal lasers, infiltrations, or surgical interventions.
Sourcing context for buyers
Barranquilla currently has 120 formally registered aesthetic centers. Between 2025 and 2026, the Public Health Office inspected 74 of these establishments for biosecurity measures, care protocols, and proper medical waste management. Some received favorable ratings, while others were placed under improvement plans. For medical aesthetics suppliers and distributors, this regulatory environment underscores the importance of ensuring that equipment, injectables, and consumables are sold only to properly licensed clinics and professionals. Authorities recommend verifying providers through Colombia's Special Registry of Health Service Providers (REPS) and the National Registry of Human Talent in Health (ReTHUS).
Source: Read the original report | Published: June 14, 2026