We had a our yearly inspection last week from local council and NSW Health. Some practices may find this a worry but we have never had a bad experience. I have always found all representatives to be helpful and open to any new changes in practice. The ultimate aim of their role is to protect the public by making sure all business’s operate to a set standard. It was also timely that The Daily Telegraph and other publications issued an article on ‘Cosmetic Cowboys’.

So who do you call when you feel a business is not operating to the standard they should? In our industry there are multiple governing bodies. There is a large cross over in qualification within our industry, from anyone who has completed an online laser safety course right through to a medical practitioner. If you go to a beautician or somewhere that is performing a procedure involving skin penetration then you should contact your local council and discuss your concern. If you are attending a spa, practice or clinic that involves staff with qualification such as a Registered Nurse or a Medical Practitioner, GP or Surgeon then they will be governed by NSW Health and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APRHA). All of these agencies or governing bodies allow you to present your concerns and have them investigated. If you contact the wrong place don’t worry, they should be able to point you in the right direction.

Now that our industry is expanding, it is not only important, but you are also entitled as the consumer to ask your treating clinician of their qualifications. Unlike other states, NSW is not as strict with their laws regarding who can or cannot perform cosmetic treatments, superficial or intensive. If in doubt go and have a think about the treatment or procedure advised by your clinician. Ask around or get onto the web, there are plenty of support groups to offer advice on the questions you should be asking.

While no one would like a treatment to end as badly as it did for the poor lady in this article, it is important that if someone witnesses something they feel is not up to standard, to contact the relevant governing bodies or agency. It may be as simple as you don’t feel the staff are washing their hands or a procedure is not sterile, but all these have an effect on the outcome of a treatment. While it is exciting that our industry is expanding and new treatments are being developed and made more easily accessible, we also want to feel comfortable that they will be performed accurately and safely.