The Durango Congress unanimously approved the Nicole Law, which prohibits any cosmetic surgery for minors under 18 years of age, except for reconstructive cases fully justified by specialists. The reform also toughens penalties for those who present themselves as doctors without certification or perform surgical procedures illegally. The measure comes after the death of Paloma Nicole, a 14-year-old girl who died after undergoing two cosmetic procedures at a private clinic, a case that generated public outrage and opened the debate on the regulation of cosmetic surgery for minors. Paloma Nicole died after undergoing breast augmentation surgery. The operation was performed by her stepfather, and her mother assisted him as a nurse, despite not being a certified one. Things went wrong, and the girl died days later. Her biological father was the one who discovered the surgery and reported the facts, since Paloma Nicole's mother told him that the minor's death was due to COVID-19, a document that was falsified. Congresswoman Sughey Torres, of the PRI party, explained that the reform combines the Nicole Law with modifications to the Penal Code to punish the usurpation of professions in the medical field. Torres recalled that her initiative, presented three years ago, finally found political support and was approved unanimously. Preventing cases like Paloma Nicole's: During the drafting of the bill, which took about two months, working groups and consultations were held with specialists, representatives of the Judiciary, and the State Prosecutor's Office. “We want to prevent a tragedy like Paloma Nicole's from happening again,” Torres said. Article 232 of the Penal Code now establishes penalties of 2 to 6 years in prison and fines of 200 to 500 UMA for those who present themselves as professionals without accredited official studies. For those who perform surgical procedures without certification, the penalties increase to 4 to 8 years in prison and ends from 300 to 600 UMA, with harsher penalties if it involves plastic surgery. Cosmetic or reconstructive.

The law also holds clinics responsible for failing to comply with the legal requirements for operations. In minors,any cosmetic procedure is prohibited, except for reconstructive procedures resulting from accidents, malformations, or conditions that affect their physical or emotional well-being, always supported by a medical report and psychological evaluation.

“This ruling is comprehensive and seeks to guarantee the safety of young people against illegal medical practices,” the legislator stated.

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