Cosmetic Surgery Is Surgery

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) launched a campaign last year, to ban cosmetic treatment ads which were unlawful.

A high number were found to be breaking the law, not least in regard to Botox injections, although they were far from alone.

A range of other social media and TV ads were seen to be inappropriate by the ASA, on areas such as laser, or anti-wrinkle treatment. Both can have serious repercussions, if carried out unprofessionally.

Promotions for sclerotherapy (varicose vein treatment) were also banned. Others for fat reduction had a similar fate and by the beginning of this year, the focus moved to direct intervention.

Surgical Irregularities

Cases where people needed corrective surgery after cosmetic surgery, or suffered a worse fate, have been well publicised. The increase in unsuitable promotion is however way beyond those numbers.

One ad the ASA insisted be taken down was for a cosmetic surgery clinic in Turkey, even though this was not promoted as advertising.

In theory, an experience post by an “influencer” but they are often advertising by another name. The post included a link to a 20% discount voucher and an affiliate code, to ensure the poster received their cut.

The site hosting the post (TikTok) said the influencer should have disclosed this, as cosmetic surgery promotion is against their rules. Presumably their system is incapable of spotting the obvious.

Patients involved may be more able to see irregularities the treatment created on their body. As those who have suffered would tell you, cosmetic surgery ads need very careful thought.

Professional Views Matter

The poster promoting the Turkish clinic was well known because of a viral music video, the online ad promoter for a similar group is a former estate agent.

Not much medical expertise in sight and this is often the case for web pages holding cosmetic surgery ads, or less obvious links. There is no basis for these suggestions, other than receiving money.

Whether a patient needs surgery, what the true outcome will be, or whether this will be conducted professionally and safely play no part.

The ASA accused these ads of trivialising cosmetic surgery, when procedures can be as invasive as any type of surgery. The levels of skill and knowledge required are the same.

Rational Outcomes

A good cosmetic surgeon will seek to understand a patients’s individual and medical position, then be entirely honest on what can be achieved.

False promises leave people disappointed, damage their self esteem and lead to mental health issues. Reality should be the guide for all cosmetic care, particularly when people are agreeing to surgery.

There is no such thing as risk free surgery, nobody should be tempted into undergoing invasive care for misleading, commercial reasons.

Our clinic always considers aesthetic outcomes and does carry out cosmetic procedures, perhaps rhinoplasty, or the orthognathic form of jaw surgery. They can change lives but only with the right approach.

Every patient deserves an honest appraisal, highly skilled surgeons and a safe environment. This allows them to focus on the true benefits they will see.