Backroom Cosmetic Procedures by Amateurs not Worth The Risk

Many consumers are still unaware of the risks associated with aesthetic
procedures performed by unlicensed practitioners. Recent reports from
Chicago, California, Georgia and other locations document unsuspecting
patients suffering from pain and disfigurement and in one case, death,
when a woman was injected with cooking oil in a Salinas, California
beauty salon.

(PRWEB) May 21, 2006 -- Many consumers are still unaware of the risks
associated with aesthetic procedures performed by unlicensed
practitioners. Recent reports from Chicago, California, Georgia and
other locations document unsuspecting patients suffering from pain and
disfigurement and in one case, death, when a woman was injected with
cooking oil in a Salinas, California beauty salon.

Injectable fillers to enhance the bust, hips, buttocks or face are
frequently administered in non-clinical settings by amateur or
unlicensed practitioners. Unsuspecting patients have been injected with
materials such as silicone, baby oil, and other substances that have no
safety or efficacy record. Communities where patients have limited
resources or do not speak English as a first language may be especially
susceptible to false advertising and promotion of potentially dangerous
procedures. Only licensed practitioners should perform cosmetic
procedures.

It is common to hear very sad and frustrating stories of patients being
taken advantage of by phony doctors and illegal procedures. Patients are
being scammed and exposed to great harm. Patients need to know that they
should do their homework-find out more information about the procedure,
location and practitioner before going for any kind of cosmetic
enhancements.

"This trend is particularly frustrating because of the risks involved to
patients," says Dr. Sam Speron, plastic surgery expert and consumer
advocate. "We desperately need more consumer education on this topic.
Patients may be lured in by inexpensive prices and unrealistic claims.
Patients think they are getting a bargain, but they are actually putting
both their health and their lives at risk. Even sadder is the fact that
they may not even know it."

• Patients can make safe and appropriate choices when seeking cosmetic
  procedures by selecting qualified physicians who perform or oversee the
  procedures in appropriate settings. Dr Speron offers the following
  advice:
• Patients can check to see if the practitioner is certified by the
  American Board of Plastic Surgery by checking with the Board at:
  http://www.abplsurg.org [http://www.abplsurg.org/] or by calling
  1-866-ASK-ABMS.
• Cosmetic procedures are safely performed in accredited facilities.
• In most cases, cosmetic procedures offered in non-medical settings,
  such as homes, hotels and beauty salons are not performed by qualified
  individuals and may involve the use of illegal or unknown substances.
• Patients should never choose a doctor solely on the basis of lower
  cost.

Dr. Sam Speron is a Chicago Plastic Surgeon and is widely recognized by
the media as a leading expert on plastic surgery. Dr. Speron's
educational efforts have received critical acclaim from the media from
around the country including radio ("The Paul Harvey show" on WGN
radio), local TV (multiple CBS Channel 2 10PM special reports, multiple
appearances on "This week with Dr. Breen"), national television
(Discovery Health Channel), local radio ("The Joe Gentile Show" on WJJG
on AM-1530, KFIZ Milwaukee with Joe Scheibinger), newspapers (Chicago
Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, Crain's Chicago Business, Daily Herald), US
magazines (People, The Complete Woman, Chicago Magazine, Living Life,
Satisfaction, Medical Economics, The Lutheran), international magazines
(Company, Europe) and online news (plasticsurgery.com, LocateaDoc.com,
HealthNewsDigest.com, cosmeticsurgery.com, ChicagoHealthandFitness.com,
ToursandTales.com).

Please visit us at www.prplastic.com [http://www.prplastic.com/] , call
us at 847.696.9900.