Caroline Payne
Consultant Plastic Surgeon and member of The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
In the age of Instagram, Love Island and high-street treatments by non-medical practitioners, a focus on safe and appropriate cosmetic surgery has never been more important.
Plastic surgery is not regulated in the UK, but confidence with treatment centres on excellence in the field and a belief that innovations evolved to the patients benefit, from enhanced body imaging to hi-tech liposculpture and laser.
Insta-surgery
Our culture is increasingly image-focussed. Powered by social media, trends rise and fall more quickly than ever and cosmetic surgery trends follow suit. Regularly we trust Instagram pictures more than written facts. In 2019, it’s never been easier to access cosmetic procedures, and for these reasons, it’s vital we have a conversation about the right and wrong way to undertake a procedure.
No plastic surgery regulation in the UK
Choosing your cosmetic surgeon is a big decision and one that should be taken extremely seriously. This is because the lack of regulation for cosmetic practice in the UK means that anyone can practice without surgical or even medical (for non-invasive procedures) qualifications. Innovations rely on research and audit to be certified as safe, but the truth is these can be harmful if in the wrong hands.
Trust in excellence and qualifications
Safety and confidence in your surgeon or doctor has always been paramount as errors happen when there is poor planning and corners are cut. Ensure you look up your surgeon to check they are affiliated with renowned bodies of excellence and check the treatment on offer, as no one else will do this for you.
Patient first
Cosmetic procedures have evolved and boomed worldwide, but at the heart of every procedure and innovation patient safety must always be put first. It is a mantra that is sadly lacking in many cosmetic clinics. Not only that, a full and thorough psychological assessment should be carried out, to ensure people are having surgery for the right reasons.
