Choose a qualified medical practitioner

Choose a qualified medical practitioner when you decide to book a cosmetic treatment that’s supposed to leave you looking better. The last thing you want is to walk out looking worse than before. But that is exactly what can happen when procedures are carried out by someone who is not properly trained or qualified.

Stories of ‘cosmetic treatments gone wrong’ are a regular appearance in the national press and women’s magazines and, by and large, these botched procedures have been carried out by inexperienced ‘practitioners’ who lack both the essential medical training and the relevant professional certifications.

One in eight Botox is done by amateurs

Woman scarred for life after laser hair removal

The main reason for these issues is that there has been a lack of regulation in the industry, which has allowed ‘cosmetic cowboys’ to practice unchecked.  The government is now taking action to impose greater controls and restrictions on individuals and clinics, but this will take time to take effect.

In the meantime I would urge everyone to do their research and to only undergo treatment by a medically qualified professional at a Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered clinic.  If in doubt, ask to see their certificates.

You wouldn’t trust an unqualified person to carry out any medical procedures on you, so the same should be true for cosmetic procedures.

So what are the risks ?

Many cosmetic treatments, such as Botox, dermal fillers and even laser hair removal all carry small, but potentially significant risks, if administered in the wrong hands.  These can include both short term and long term problems, such as facial asymmetry, nerve damage and burns to the skin, from lasers being mistakenly used on the wrong setting.  Often the patients are young or vulnerable people looking for a way to improve not only their looks, but also their self-esteem and the effects can be devastating.

Experience counts.  I have been a qualified doctor for over 27 years and have worked in both hospitals and general practice, before specialising in non-surgical cosmetic treatments for over 10 years.    In contrast, many beauticians, hairdressers and mobile therapists have had no formal training at all. Who would you rather trust your face to?

Here at health + aesthetics you can be 100% confident in our credentials. We are a doctor led clinic, fully approved by the CQC.  We have also won a host of industry awards, including: ‘Best Clinic Team’ in the 2015 My Face My Body Awards and finalist in the ‘Best Clinic in the South of England’ 2015 Aesthetic Awards.

To find out more about us or to book a consultation, simply contact us today.