Do's and don'ts for cosmetic surgery

With the increasing desire for cosmetic skin procedures and more "fake physicians" administering cosmetic procedures, consumers need to know that they are in the hands of a qualified physician before undergoing any type of cosmetic procedure to avoid burns, scarring and even death.

Despite this interest in cosmetic surgery, about a quarter of participants in a survey for the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery were unaware of what a cosmetic surgeon is - and only about half knew that a cosmetic surgeon is not the same as a plastic surgeon.

Cosmetic surgeons perform aesthetic procedures to improve and rejuvenate the appearance of the skin, such as laser resurfacing, wrinkle fillers, liposuction, chemical peeling.

The group wants to educate the public about the red flags associated with non-physicians offering cosmetic treatments. The group has developed a few important do's and don'ts for consumers:

Do's

Do choose a location carefully. Beware of locations outside of a physician's office, such as a spa, salon or storefront in a shopping mall. These locations usually have no medical staff on-site or emergency care services in place should something go wrong. Also, although a medi-spa may be owned or directed by a doctor, the doctor may only visit the facility occasionally. Ask if the doctor is on-site and immediately available to supervise procedures.

Do check credentials. A physician who is board-certified in dermatology or another specialty with equivalent training and experience should perform most cosmetic procedures. Putting people in scrubs and having medical charting on the walls make a facility appear professional, but it doesn't make their staff qualified to perform a medical procedure. Ask about background and training. Is the physician a member of a medical specialty organization? This indicates a physician's desire to keep abreast of the latest scientific data and medical information. For additional information, visit the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery website, www.asds.net.

Do discuss pain management options. Discomfort or minimal pain may be associated with some minor cosmetic treatments.

Don'ts

Don't ever go to someone's home or a hotel room to have a cosmetic procedure performed. Cosmetic procedures are medical procedures, which should not be performed in these settings.

Don't rely on price. If you are receiving a procedure that costs significantly less than usual, you can assume you are not receiving the best treatment. Price should not be the determining factor.

Don't be afraid to ask questions: What if something goes awry? What procedures are in place to deal with an emergency? What training does the staff have? Who will perform the procedure? Is this treatment right for me? Is this laser, device or technique appropriate for my skin type? Have you performed this procedure before on the same body part I'm considering? Can I see before and after photographs? Have you reviewed my medical history?

Don't go through with a procedure if they can't prove a trained physician is accessible.

Don't be afraid to walk away. If it doesn't feel right, then find a more reputable location.