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Quacks and the booming plastic surgery industry

KUALA LUMPUR: THE billion-ringgit medical aesthetic industry is growing by 15 per cent annually in Malaysia, mainly because of the popularity of medical tourism. However, this success is opening the door to unscrupulous practitioners and botched jobs.

“There is some confusion caused by this success, where unqualified physicians open centres and take advantage of consumers who are less informed about technologies and products,” said aesthetic physician and cosmetic surgeon Dr Alice Prethima Michael.

“In the end, consumers are tricked by “quack doctors” and unqualified beauty centres selling copycat treatments or machines. The potential for huge profits has lured not only “quack doctors” but also general practitioners, who are untrained in the field, to make a quick buck.

“Often there is confusion among consumers abut the different types of aesthetic centres.

“Many centres claim that they are aesthetic clinics when, in fact, there is no practising licensed professional on the staff roster. This has led to unskilled work as well as potentially harmful practices,” Dr Alice said.

There are no direct laws to prevent an unqualified person from performing cosmetic surgery or non-surgical procedures, or to make them face criminal charges even if the patient dies or is disfigured as a result of a botched job.

Although there had been numerous calls for the government to legislate tough laws to allow criminal charges with severe punishments, including jail sentences, on unqualified cosmetic surgeons, the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act (PHFSA) 1998 and also the Medical Act 1971 only allows action to be taken if doctors untrained in cosmetic surgery are found to be involved.

Dr Alice said those seeking treatment and procedures must practise due diligence, especially when being injected with a foreign substance.

“Consumers must be more aware and learn about technologies, products and procedures, the differences between what is a real treatment and what is a fake and potentially harmful treatment,” Dr Alice said.

“They must know all about what is being injected because a huge number of botched cases derive from harmful substances being injected into them.

“Choose an appropriately qualified surgeon. Then ask them about their training and experience in performing the procedure. Also, understand the possible risks, side effects and complications of the procedure.

“Besides that, think carefully about your expectations. Cosmetic treatment may improve your appearance and self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily deliver your ‘ideal’ body image or change your life.

“You should also have a cooling off period after attending your first consultation. This will give you time to think about your decisions.”

Dr Alice added that the number of years the doctor had practised in this field and his or her track record should also be part of the decision-making process.

“Besides the procedure, you should also be asking questions about the doctor. Is the doctor ‘hands on’, or is the treatment being done by someone less qualified or less experienced? How much of continuous medical education has the practitioner undertaken during the course of his or her career?

“Undergoing surgery is a serious commitment and is often life-changing. This is a decision to think long and hard about, taking into account all risks affecting health, finances and emotion.”

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