Posted by Cosmetic procedures have been more accessible than they are today. From Botox to fillers to full-blown facelifts, more and more of us are prepared to turn to treatment to achieve our desired look. Whether this is due to external pressure from society or simply down to the rise of affordable procedures is up for debate, but one thing’s for sure: aesthetic treatments are no longer just for celebrities. While this has mostly been seen as a positive, the rapid rise of the industry has created some vulnerabilities.
With governments across the world starting to take notice of this problem, Scotland, in particular, seems to be taking it more seriously than most nations. In this article, we’re going to discuss what Scotland is doing to tackle the rising number of unlicensed practitioners, what other nations need to do, and discuss whether safety is currently being sacrificed in favour of profit.
The Scale of the Problem
When it comes to the medical industry, you don’t really want to see the word unregulated ever mentioned. But what does it actually mean? In its simplest form, unregulated surgery is performed by an individual who doesn’t have the necessary qualifications or is performed in a location that doesn’t meet the required safety standards. Unless you’ve actually undergone unregulated surgery, you’d be forgiven for thinking this isn’t a common issue. However, the 1500 unregulated practitioners in Scotland suggest otherwise. But perhaps an even bigger concern is the number of people who are completely oblivious to this. Worryingly, you could be receiving treatment from an unlicensed surgeon without even knowing.
There’s no doubt that the problem is growing and perhaps already out of control. But who’s to blame for this? Is it the low prices that make unlicensed surgery ultra accessible, or is it social media content that’s playing on people’s insecurities before enticing them in? The most likely answer is that it is a combination of both, as well as other factors. But regardless of who or what is to blame, the problem needs a solution.
What are the Risks of Unlicensed Surgery?
If you’re tempted to turn to unlicensed surgery to save money, you might want to be aware of the risks. Some of the most common risks include:
Infection: One of the most common risks of unlicensed surgery is infection. While this is also common to see in all forms of surgery, the chances are heightened if facilities and processes don’t follow the standardised requirements.
Permanent disfigurement: It’s important to understand that risks aren’t only temporary. For many people, the biggest risk is that of permanent alterations, such as being left with a scar or, at worst, the loss of a body part.
Allergic reactions: The beauty of turning to a licensed cosmetic surgeon is that they’ll treat your case as an individual one, meaning they’ll carry out the necessary checks that are relevant to your body. When dealing with an unlicensed surgeon, it’s far less likely that substances will be checked against any potential allergies.
It’s also important to understand that the risks go far beyond physical. For instance, don’t expect a clear channel to raise any concerns or complaints. You won’t be entitled to legal protection if you have undergone unlicensed surgery, either. This can then spiral into financial consequences if you have to find more money to correct any botched procedures.
Unfortunately, the risks don’t stop there. You must also consider the mental and emotional impact of surgery gone wrong. Maybe it’s a sharp loss in confidence as a result of physical disfigurement or potentially you feel shamed at being scammed by an unlicensed surgeon.
Scotland’s Proposal
As already pointed out, the Scottish government are one of the few to take unlicensed surgery seriously. Currently, they are considering a serious crackdown to criminalise anyone carrying out cosmetic procedures without the required qualifications or regulated facilities. It would also involve making cosmetic treatment illegal for anyone under the age of 18.
While this seems like a strong starting point, there has been backlash from campaigners who don’t feel that these changes would be enough. The main criticism is around the provision of information available to those who are interested in a certain procedure.
The Case for Stronger UK-Wide Protections
There are many people who are in favour of stronger protection against unlicensed surgery. While everyone has their own opinions on how this could be achieved, there are some common ideas that consistently pop up.
The bare minimum that most people would agree on is a clear, public register that is not only available to the public but pushed in front of them. There has also been a call for a review of trading standards and insurance policies within the industry.
A greyer area is the rules around advertising, particularly on social media, where so many surgeons—both licensed and unlicensed—get their clients from. Whatever happens in terms of future legislation, social media must be considered in some respect.
Final Thoughts
It seems that cosmetic procedures have been downplayed in their seriousness in recent years. After their rise in accessibility, many view a cosmetic procedure as the same as a trip to the salon. In reality, undergoing a cosmetic enhancement comes with far more risks and should be treated in a whole different light. Fortunately, we are starting to see this, and governments are starting to take action. The question now becomes, are governments and regulators taking enough action? Most activists claim they aren’t doing enough and that legislation needs to go further. As a consumer, it’s also important not to solely rely on governments and consider what you can do as an individual. This involves arming yourself with as much information as possible before committing to a procedure, and most importantly, ensuring only trust practitioners who can display the required credentials and qualifications. As also outlined in this article, following the official channels also means that you should be entitled to financial compensation should something go wrong.