From the Editor

There’s no denying the $1.4 billion Australian cosmetic surgery industry is booming. It looks set to continue its growth trajectory as Instagram culture becomes more entrenched, ‘beauty’ becomes more democratised and procedures become more accessible.

However, in the medical aesthetics industry patient safety is everything. Patients need to be confident that the benefits of cosmetic intervention outweigh the risks involved and that their chosen practitioner is skilled and experienced enough to circumvent preventable complications and adverse events. In the wake of the recent government inquiries into cosmetic surgery, the key stakeholders in the industry give AMP their opinions on patient safety – a read you won’t want to miss on page 58.

As many of us have witnessed, there’s been a push for change in the aesthetics industry for 20+ years, and the recent media reports of certain rogue operators have thrust the issue of patient safety well and truly into the spotlight. Major reviews from Australia’s peak regulatory bodies into the most controversial topics surrounding cosmetic medicine may finally bring about the change that has been ‘imminent’ for the industry for so long.

The findings from the much-awaited ‘Independent review of the regulation of medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery’, makes 16 recommendations to improve patient safety in the sector – all of which have been accepted by Ahpra and the Medical Board. You can read more about the findings and what this means for the industry in our in-depth feature on page 36. You can also check our website www.aestheticmedicalpractitioner.com.au for regular updates on this topic.

In the spirit of learning and collegiality, in this issue we launch a new Case Study section, which includes anecdotal observations of atypical or interesting cases in aesthetic medicine. This issue looks at delayed onset inflammatory response post filler and vaccination (page 44). If you have an unusual case, or would like to comment, send us an email to editor@aestheticmedicalpractitioner.com.au.

As you’ve come to expect, we also showcase the latest technologies and innovations in aesthetic medicine (from page 92) and ‘best practice’ advice to use in your clinic (from page 80) – all with the ultimate aim of advancing the care of patients and growing your practice.

Michelle Kearney
Editor in Chief
michelle@bellamedia

Read AMP #31 Online