Asir’s municipality recently confiscated a controversial device at female salons in Abha and has pledged to penalize any establishments found to be in violation of safety standards.

Salwa Al-Qahtani, head of the municipality’s women’s department, said inspectors found several cupping devices, used for suction to firm the skin, while inspecting women’s salons and shops in the area.

She said the shops were also given fines and penalized for extremely poor hygienic standards.

According to Al-Qahtani, this device must only be used under the supervision of a medical experts at specialized clinics and medical centers, but should not be used at salons and female-only shops by technicians without proper experience and training.

“Such activities can lead to the spread of dangerous diseases,” she said. “We have warned these facilities to stop offering specialized services or face penalties.”

Abdul Aziz Al-Qahtani, head of general inspections at the municipality, affirmed that inspection teams are on the lookout for violations regularly and even during holidays.

He called on citizens and residents to immediately report any violations by calling 940.