Many consumers are still unaware of the risks associated with aesthetic procedures performed by unlicensed practitioners. Recent reports from Chicago, California, Georgia and other locations document unsuspecting patients suffering from pain and disfigurement and in one case, death, when a woman was injected with cooking oil in a Salinas, California beauty salon.
(PRWEB) May 21, 2006 -- Many consumers are still unaware of the risks associated with aesthetic procedures performed by unlicensed practitioners. Recent reports from Chicago, California, Georgia and other locations document unsuspecting patients suffering from pain and disfigurement and in one case, death, when a woman was injected with cooking oil in a Salinas, California beauty salon.
Injectable fillers to enhance the bust, hips, buttocks or face are frequently administered in non-clinical settings by amateur or unlicensed practitioners. Unsuspecting patients have been injected with materials such as silicone, baby oil, and other substances that have no safety or efficacy record. Communities where patients have limited resources or do not speak English as a first language may be especially susceptible to false advertising and promotion of potentially dangerous procedures. Only licensed practitioners should perform cosmetic procedures.
It is common to hear very sad and frustrating stories of patients being taken advantage of by phony doctors and illegal procedures. Patients are being scammed and exposed to great harm. Patients need to know that they should do their homework—find out more information about the procedure, location and practitioner before going for any kind of cosmetic enhancements.
“This trend is particularly frustrating because of the risks involved to patients,” says Dr. Sam Speron, plastic surgery expert and consumer advocate. “We desperately need more consumer education on this topic. Patients may be lured in by inexpensive prices and unrealistic claims. Patients think they are getting a bargain, but they are actually putting both their health and their lives at risk. Even sadder is the fact that they may not even know it.”
Patients can make safe and appropriate choices when seeking cosmetic procedures by selecting qualified physicians who perform or oversee the procedures in appropriate settings. Dr Speron offers the following advice:
- Patients can check to see if the practitioner is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery by checking with the Board at: http://www.abplsurg.org or by calling 1-866-ASK-ABMS.
- Cosmetic procedures are safely performed in accredited facilities.
- In most cases, cosmetic procedures offered in non-medical settings, such as homes, hotels and beauty salons are not performed by qualified individuals and may involve the use of illegal or unknown substances.
- Patients should never choose a doctor solely on the basis of lower cost.
Dr. Sam Speron is a Chicago Plastic Surgeon and is widely recognized by the media as a leading expert on plastic surgery. Dr. Speron’s educational efforts have received critical acclaim from the media from around the country including radio (“The Paul Harvey show” on WGN radio), local TV (multiple CBS Channel 2 10PM special reports, multiple appearances on “This week with Dr. Breen”), national television (Discovery Health Channel), local radio (“The Joe Gentile Show” on WJJG on AM-1530, KFIZ Milwaukee with Joe Scheibinger), newspapers (Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, Crain’s Chicago Business, Daily Herald), US magazines (People, The Complete Woman, Chicago Magazine, Living Life, Satisfaction, Medical Economics, The Lutheran), international magazines (Company, Europe) and online news (plasticsurgery.com, LocateaDoc.com, HealthNewsDigest.com, cosmeticsurgery.com, ChicagoHealthandFitness.com, ToursandTales.com).
Please visit us at www.prplastic.com, call us at 847.696.9900.
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