Cosmetic Injectables No Contest Or Party

Main Category: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 11 Mar 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Hot lips contests and pump parties are taking on new meaning, but cosmetic injectables should never be offered or accepted as contest prizes or in a party setting, warns the Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety. "There continues growing popularity and interest in injectables; improving appearance is intriguing and has allure," says Coalition leader Renato Saltz, MD, of Salt Lake City, Utah. "But despite the interest, consumers must remember these are medical treatments. It is against physician codes of ethics to offer medical treatment as a prize or winning of any kind."

The first thought of the consumer should be the training and expertise of the treating physician, not the excitement of winning a prize. In addition to ethical violations on the part of the physician, consumers must be aware that winning a contest does not ensure the winner is an appropriate candidate for a treatment.

"In addition to contest and promotions for cosmetic injectables, we see new types of injectable parties," said Coalition leader Roger Dailey, MD, FACS of Portland, Oregon. "Media have reported hotel parties and spa weekends in tropical and urban retreats. In smaller communities, spas and salons as well as homes have been reported as party sites." Injectables, like any medical treatment, must be prescribed by a physician, approved by the FDA and belong only a medical setting.

The Coalition offers consumers these very simple questions to ask before considering any cosmetic injectable procedure:

-- Doctor: Is the injectable recommended by a qualified doctor who regularly treats similar conditions, in an appropriately licensed and equipped medical facility? Has the doctor examined the prospective patient before recommending treatment?

-- Brand: Is the injectable recommended approved by the U.S. FDA for cosmetic indications and is it appropriately labeled and packaged to reflect its authenticity and approval?

-- Safety: Is the setting a proper medically-equipped office, with safety and sterilization procedures? Has the physician evaluated conditions, recommended treatment, offered alternatives and clearly defined the potential outcomes including any complications?

To learn specifically the FDA approved brands of cosmetic injectables and their benefits, and to see video of live, appropriately administered injectables as well as real patient stories from injectable parties and more visit http://www.injectablesafety.org.

About Us

The Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety is an alliance of specialty physician organizations including the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The mission of the Coalition is to provide the public with unbiased and necessary information on injectable cosmetic treatments, appropriate injectors and where to safely access cosmetic medical procedures. Our goal is to promote treatment supervised by properly qualified and trained, board-certified doctors and to promote only the use of U.S. FDA-approved, appropriately administered product. More information can be found at http://www.injectablesafety.org.

About ASAPS The 2400-member American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), founded in 1967, is the leading professional organization of plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who specialize in cosmetic plastic surgery. With 2,100 members in the U.S., Canada, and many other countries, ASAPS is at the forefront of innovation in aesthetic plastic surgery around the world.

About AAFPRS The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is the world's largest specialty association that represents over 2,700 facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons throughout the world. The AAFPRS is a National Medical Specialty Society of the American Medical Association (AMA), and holds an official seat in both the AMA House of Delegates and the American College of Surgeons board of governors. AAFPRS members are board certified surgeons whose focus is surgery of the face, head, and neck.

About ASOPRS The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery represent surgeons qualified in plastic surgery of the eyelids and surrounding facial structures. Fellows of the Society are board certified in ophthalmology, have completed fellowships in oculofacialplastic surgery (currently two years), and perform aesthetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgery of the face, orbits, eyelids, and lacrimal system.

Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety
http://www.injectablesafety.org