Urgent warning for regular non surgical users as complaints over cosmetic therapists skyrocket

A Sydney plastic surgeon has called for non surgical treatment to be more heavily regulated as complaints about bad procedures pile up.

Seven cosmetic practitioners and clinics are under investigation by the health complaints watchdog for procedures including botched treatments, according to a report in The Sunday Telegraph.

The Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) also revealed it was becoming “increasingly concerned” about botched procedures.

Five practitioners and two clinics have been hit with interim prohibition orders since last January.

Another five fake practitioners have been struck off in NSW since 2014.

The number of complaints about procedures gone wrong have more than doubled in NSW.

In 2021, four complaints were made about cosmetic therapists in NSW, which was up to 21 last year.

A further 44 complaints were made last year, relating to cosmetic health facilities.

On Monday, plastic surgeon Jack Zoumaras joined Nat Barr and Matt Shirvington on Sunrise, calling for more regulation of the anti-ageing product.

“It almost seems it’s easier to get non surgical treatments, rather than get a haircut,” Zoumaras said.

“I think it is very accessible, that’s what makes it hard for a consumer … to filter through all the noise to find out who is qualified and who has the education to deliver the non surgical treatment.”

Barr: “If you’re a consumer out there, how do you choose?”

Zoumaras: “It’s anywhere between $300 to $1,000 a session, so it’s not cheap. I think it’s confusing. As a specialist plastic surgeon, I know because I see the facial anatomy and I know what I am doing.

“It is difficult for the consumer, (planning) who to go to because there is noise with marketing, and a lot of people in the space.”

Shirvington: “Is anything being done to make it easier for people? To regulate the industry?”

Zoumaras: “At the moment, our medical regulator is actually looking into cosmetic treatments and in general non-surgical treatments

“But, it’s complex, because there’s so many players in the space.

“There are a lot of different people that provide the treatment. Registered nurses, doctors, nurses, GPs and even dentists are doing it.

“There are good, there are not so good providers, and those who need more training.

“This is the complexity of it being a schedule four drug. That means it to needs to be supervised by a doctor. This is part of the complexity.”

Barr: “Do we need to crack down here?”

Zoumaras: “That is exactly what needs to happen. I think it is happening now. It is still a watch this space moment.”

Shirvington: “What can go wrong?”

Zoumaras: “ The side effect profile is quite low. There is obviously bruising at the injection site. Rare Allergies (to the product used).

“You can get asymmetry and rarely, botulisms, which was reported in Sydney (recently).

“What happens with the treatments is you have got to have an understanding of what you’re trying to do and not have a frozen look and things like that.

“It is a drug, and it needs to be regulated.”