Cosmetic surgery Gold Coast: Warning over botched jobs
Reputable plastic surgeons and cosmetic experts are reporting a massive increase in Gold Coasters desperate to fix botched procedures which have resulted in “bizarre outcomes”. HERE’S WHAT THEY’VE DONE WRONG
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE number of patients looking to correct botched cosmetic treatments and procedures or get a new change are on the rise – all thanks to the pandemic.
Much like the increase in home renovations nationally, those in the beauty business say they are seeing more and more clients looking for a more personal update – but experts warn clients must be wary when choosing their treatment.
Dan Kennedy, president of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, said Zoom meetings are partly to blame.
“We have seen an increase in demand, what they are calling a ‘zoom boom’,” Dr Kennedy said.
“There has been a number of people commenting that zooming has left them a little dissatisfied with their appearance or unhappy with previous procedures that may have been done elsewhere and now have time for a correction.
“A limit on overseas holidays also means people are looking at what else they can do.
“Added to the usual Christmas rush makes for a very busy time.”
With an increased demand Dr Kennedy warns those looking to be wary.
“There has been an expansion of the cosmetics industry beyond regulator’s awareness, which can result in procedures being undertaken in a suboptimal way by someone who may not have had sufficient training.
“The number of people seeking out expert correction is quite frequent.
“We see key things like people perhaps having injectors overfill a face to simulate the same outcome as a surgical procedure unsuccessfully.
“Others have simplistic procedures from those unqualified that don’t last long.
“A qualified plastic surgeon is trained to pick up on signs of body dysmorphic disorder and will determine if a procedure is even appropriate in the first place.”
‘NO PRESSURE FOR PLASTIC’: INSIDE GOLD COAST PLASTIC SURGERY CLINIC
PLASTIC SURGERY
Specialist plastic surgeon Terrence Scamp, who is based at Marina Mirage Broadbeach, said he regularly sees clients who have been treated unsuccessfully overseas.
“We have two groups when it comes to corrections, those who have had things done overseas and had several different issues, complications of some type, an inadequate recovery treatment,” Dr Scamp said.
“And those where nothing has really gone drastically wrong but it is not the desired result, perhaps that is to do with the communication between the patient and the surgeon, this can result in a bizarre outcome.
“I have dealt with things like facelifts where the scars have been placed in the wrong spot which is hard to rescue, or rhinoplasties (nose jobs) which may have been designed for an Asian face possibly not working completely for a caucasian face.
“Other times it can be attempting too do much at once, instead of having a breast lift and then implant the individual is only in that country for a short time leaving no room for healing.”
Dr Scamp said titles are important when looking for a surgeon along with speaking to past clients of the practice.
“What we are pushing for as an industry is more recognition of the title, so you know you aren't working with a GP or a surgeon that specialises in other areas.
“You instead truly have a specialist.”
COSMETIC TATTOOING
Cosmetic treatment specialists who use less invasive methods like fillers, tattooing and laser say they are also working to correct the mistakes of new overnight ‘social media’ clinics.
For cosmetic tattooist, Katherine McCann of Facebox fixing the dodgy eyebrow jobs of others has become a daily task.
“Cosmetic tattooing is a hugely subjective and loosely regulated practice so I have gotten to a point where I specialise in repairing the work of others,” Ms McCann said.
THE REAL COST OF GOLD COAST’S BEAUTY OBSESSION
“In some cases people can be deemed a qualified tattooist or with a micro-blade after a two or three day course, so they have little idea about after treatment, how their work heals and haven’t worked with a variety of clients – it is scary but true.
“Consequently there are a lot of botched jobs and faces as a result.
“We might all have the same tools but it takes skill.
“You can give three artists a piece of paper and a pen and ask them to draw the same thing – you will always get a different result.
“Personal referrals are always a good indicator and trust your gut instinct.
“Cost should never be your sole determining factor – remember a good reputable artist’s pricing is not based on your budget.”
Common mistakes seen by Ms McCann include:
■ Excessive build-up of pigment from multiple cosmetic tattooing procedures
■ Scared / blotchy / patchy colour / discolouration and heavy looking eyebrows or features
■ Badly aged tattoos (often trends that have now gone out of fashion or have changed over time
■ Tattooed trends using different techniques, tattooing way outside natural lines – bigger brows or bigger lips – then think volume loss and distortion or eyelid changes and symmetry issues with winged liners or brows
■ Harsh or heavy bold tattooed features are now out of fashion and a lot of people want a more natural and soft look.
■ Inexperienced tattooists tattooing outside their scope and causing significant damage through lack of experience or trying to create a look when they have not even trained in a technique or method.
“Having a broad and in-depth education and understanding as to what you’re looking at when it comes to botched jobs is absolutely paramount – the consult is a two-way street, along with the recovery journey and together we work with clients to not only repair their botched job, but ensure they understand exactly what role they play in the process along with formulating a strategy which we will then commence over the next 6-18months as a general guide,” Ms McCann said.
“Any restoration or repair is always going to be a timely process.
“As no one face is the same, nor is ones recovery or restoration journey … education and experience matters.”
APAN – Aesthetics Practitioners Advisory Network CEO Tina Viney said it is important to understand that many of these procedures are invasive and therefore carry a level of risk. “However, in the hands of a qualified and skilled practitioner they can achieve a beautiful outcome in a safe manner.”
“We are talking even laser treatments need oversight which is what many practitioners on the Gold Coast are pushing for.
“We might be known for cosmetic treatment but that is because we have the very best and the safest.”
‘JINGLE BOOBS’: NIP AND TUCK SEASON ON THE GOLD COAST
INJECTIONS/ FILLERS
Elizabeth Hele, the senior cosmetic injector at Esteem Clinic, has been in the industry for more than 18 years said bad work can have horrific impacts on clients.
“I have had one client who was referred to us by a GP, she was so upset by an over-inflated lip injection job it was impacting her mental health,” she said.
“Once it was corrected, it made a world of difference.”
In another instance an injection from another practice blocked a blood vessel resulting in the need for corrective treatment within days.
“We are finding pop up clinics with little knowledge and skill base because the industry is growing so quickly,” Ms Hele said.
“Injectors come under the medical regulatory body but we need to see more registered plastic surgeons and doctors on site at these clinics.
She also warned against being drawn in by the price factor.
“You hear of people getting treatments on Groupon vouchers, ‘mum bought it for me as a present’.
“It isn’t due diligence, this is still a medical procedure and practitioners need to be put through their paces.
“It isn’t like a nail treatment.”
Originally published as Cosmetic surgery Gold Coast: Warning over botched jobs
‘Saved me over $1000’: Simple trick to save thousands
Forget about how many shopping days until Christmas, it’s time to start saving for summer holidays … and it might not be as tough as you think
Naughty nanna: Boozy beachside lunch ends in nasty crash
A Gold Coast grandmother’s decision to get behind the wheel after a long-lunch has landed her in hospital and in big trouble. Read what happened.