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How can we make Cosmetic Surgery safer?

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At The Private Clinic, we have just two key focuses; your satisfaction and your safety. With over 30 years of cosmetic medical experience behind us, we’ve established ourselves as a respected and trusted provider of aesthetic treatments, and we’re keen to never let that reputation slip.

However, not every clinic shares the same driving force and more people are beginning to think of ways to prevent immoral or inappropriate treatments taking place. Katie Price (AKA Jordan) made headlines a couple of weeks ago for suggesting the age of non-medical treatments should be raised to 21, while The Medical Board of Australia believe a compulsory ‘cooling off’ period between consultation and treatment could avoid people being pressured into poor decisions.

We asked a few of our followers on social media what they thought about the two options – their answers are below.

Should the age of cosmetic surgery be changed to 21?

Katie Price - age of cosmetic surgery should be 21 instagram the private clinic

Katie Price’s name is synonymous with cosmetic surgery and aesthetic treatments. The former glamour model turned media personality famously had several breast surgeries to take her from a 34B to a 34FF at the age of 19, followed by several other surgeries including liposuction on her hips and thighs, fat implanted into her lips to boost her pout, and a nose job – as well as an eventual breast reduction in more recent years.

However, despite going through multiple procedures herself, Price recently told The Independent that if she were Prime Minister the first thing she would do would be to raise the age of surgery to 21. “External pressure on young girls growing up today results in too many turning to surgery at a very young age…Like all procedures, cosmetic surgery carries risks, and they are risks that you are better equipped to understand at 21”.

Would this help solve the problem? We asked the question on our social media accounts and got some incredibly good thoughts for both side of the argument:

@Xx_leanne_xx26 on Instagram said “for girls who are really flat chested by the age of 18…why should they have to wait? But if it’s something they’re just having it done for the fun of it…then yes they should be denied it”, while @xnina88x believed 21 was a good age, explaining“Your body has fully developed by this age. Therefore a decision can be made to correct any flaws you feel you have”

Meanwhile on Twitter, @tsunimee  said “People could still make unfortunate choices at 21. I am divided over the topic…Long time to wait if…desperate to enhance your chest since the age of 16″ later suggesting a compulsory mental health and well-being consultation beforehand could be a better option.

@Martinwalker666 raised a similar point, commenting “what about people with scar-tissue & other problems that would single someone out/affect self-esteem? Some people make these blatant statements – especially since 18 is the age of consent, therefore #Adult”.

At The Private Clinic there are some doctors who won’t perform certain treatments on those under the age of 21. This is not because we don’t trust the decisions of our patients, but simply because not everyone’s body has finished developing before the age. We never want to perform a treatment that will leave you unsatisfied, particularly if there’s a high chance your body is still changing. However, we like to use common sense and treat patients as individuals – age isn’t normally the biggest factor when considering whether to go ahead. It’s always about how suitable you are as a patient, and whether we believe the treatment will give you the long-lasting results you desire – regardless of age.

Should there be a mandatory cooling off period?

Mandatory Cooling Off Period before Cosmetic Surgery

Recent guidelines proposed by The Australian Medical Board propose that drastic changes need to happen in how cosmetic treatments are monitored. The organisation proposed that adults should have a compulsory 7 day wait between consultation and surgery while for those under 18, the wait was increased to 3 months with a mandatory psychological assessment also performed.

This was, again, another question asked on our social media to extremely mixed views. On Twitter Norman Wright from @WrightInitiativ (which aims to encourage patient safety and well-being) commented “I think & feel that it should be mandatory worldwide!”. While Instagram user @shayraii replied “Sounds smart. Not to say there is pressure, but you do need to mentally prepare yourself for alterations to your body that will stay for life”.

On the other hand, other contributors raised the point of how long many people take to consider a treatment before they even enquire. @Findstevek said “Surgery is a personal journey. If it’s taken you personally a long time to decide to go for it, then you’ve already been through the process in your head. If the surgeon agrees with your choices and you’re happy to proceed, then you should be free to do so”, something @lindyloo_tci_ba agreed with:“We’ve normally thought about it and waited months before even going to a consult. Our bodies, our choice”.

Should clinics provide more vital information and care?

This is one we firmly believe in, and one we always try to make happen. On all our treatment pages we aim to outline potential risks and downtime, as much as the benefits of each treatment. Likewise our team of doctors, nurses, therapists and patient advisors are all there to help you understand every aspect of a treatment – including how likely it is that you’ll get the results you’ve asked for.

BAPRAS’ #ThinkOver campaign is a fantastic initiative to help encourage patients to think about their options before they go ahead. Their dedicated mini-site has real patient stories, as well as guidelines and key questions to ask your surgeons.

Think Over Before You Make Over

On our own blog we’ve compiled checklists to take with you to any consultations you attend, as well as information about recovery and healing for you to access – regardless of whether you initially had your treatment with us. We’re contactable 24/7, 365 days a year for patients and aim to help every visitor get the care and advice they need, regardless of when we’re contacted.

The Private Clinic

We understand it’s your body, and we’re here to help you feel comfortable in it. We will never perform unethical treatments, nor go ahead with something if we don’t believe it will benefit you. The only way you’re going to be satisfied is if we’re honest from the start and we’re proud to value patient happiness and safe results over anything else. You’re always an individual, so your treatment should be too. If you’re contemplating any form of aesthetic procedure, no matter how small, get in contact to discuss every aspect of it – not just the parts you want to hear. www.theprivateclinic.co.uk

50% of US Plastic Surgeons Use Social Media, Study Finds

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A survey by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) found half of plastic surgeons utilise social media to connect with patients. Facebook and Twitter are proving the most popular social media platforms for connecting with patients. The Private Clinic of Harley Street is seeing a big rise in social media interactions. In 2013 we have seen our Twitter expand by nearly 200%. More and more of our team are investing in digital marketing and social media to provide patients and interested parties with industry information.

The Private Clinic of Harley Street Social Media

The Private Clinic and Social Media

The Private Clinic use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube to help spread information that will be useful for anyone considering non-invasive, minimally invasive and surgical cosmetic and medical treatments and procedures. On our profiles and pages we post before and after shots, infographics, industry and celebrity-related news as well as advising people with tips and advice for their health and wellbeing when considering cosmetic treatments.

Patients are becoming more savvy and want to find answers to their questions quickly. Social media is a great tool for potential patients and we want to let them know we are providing honest, open advice and information readily available on social media to help them make the best decision possible. We want everyone to proceed safely and knowing as much as possible about their treatment or procedure.

The Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Aesthetic Industry

One of the biggest concern for those surveyed was the issue of being too accessible. When you put yourself out there on social media you need to respond to tweets and comments. Social media is a two-way street and has already redefined how we communicate generally but it is still in its infancy when it comes to business and healthcare for many places. When it is usually the realm of advisors and staff at clinics to field queries and answer them, now surgeons are being asked questions on social media and feel obliged to answer despite their busy schedule. That is why The Private Clinic is focusing on delivering our social media through a dedicated team with help from our doctors, nurses and surgeons whenever a question is asked.

Some doctors and surgeons have had bad experiences on social media. You risk being at the mercy of some unsavoury characters like one surgeon in Australia who was bombarded with messages from one person pretending to be lots of ‘people’ when the surgeon had reportedly never seen this person. Other clinics and medical professionals may have a tough time if they are associated with clinics that have been involved in bad practice. The PIP breast implant scandal exposed the darker side of the industry and those choosing to practice unethically and certain individuals may prefer to avoid social media.

Overall social media can be a force for good. With information more open than ever, it can often take just one social media check to see if a clinic has a good reputation. Of course reviews tend to attract the negative experiences so it is always important that people express caution when reading reviews. However social media can really help a clinic’s brand by letting people know it’s forward-thinking, capable, progressive and true to its word about being open and honest with patients.

The Private Clinic

We have over 30 years of experience treating patients for a range of cosmetic and medical issues with non-invasive, minimally invasive and surgical options: https://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/

Footballer Wayne Rooney Had His 2nd Hair Transplant at the Weekend

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Wayne Rooney, at 27, had a ‘top up’ second hair transplant, over the weekend, as part of his hair restoration treatment – the first of which he had done in 2011. The Manchester United star is reportedly very happy with the results. Some clinics reported that hair transplant bookings have been up 25% in the wake of Rooney’s hair loss transformation in 2011.

Wayne Rooney, Manchester United Footballer, Shows Off His 2nd Hair Transplant to Combat Extensive Hair Loss in 2013
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United Footballer, Shows Off His second Hair Transplant to Combat Extensive Hair Loss in 2013
Manchester United Footballer Wayne Rooney After his Second Hair Transplant
Manchester United Footballer Wayne Rooney After his Second Hair Transplant

Back in 2011, Rooney opened up about the procedure on twitter, saying: ‘Just to confirm to all my followers I have had a hair transplant. I was going bald at 25, why not? I’m delighted with the result.‘ What do you think about Rooney’s hair transplants? Does it make you want to know more about them?

9 Hours for a Second Hair Transplant: Easier than You Imagine

Lots of the news stories focused around the fact that the hair transplant procedure took around 9 hours. This is not uncommon and many patients choose to watch television, listen to the music or use their phone or tablet to pass the time.

You could even pop in a DVD boxset you have been meaning to catch up on. Naturally, the local anaesthetic and the time-frame involved means many patients simply nod off. The tugging sensation many patients report is mild enough for sleep to happen regularly. Just another added benefit of an FUE hair transplant over the older ‘strip’ method, which leaves a linear scar and requires considerable downtime afterwards while it heals. With an FUE transplant, you can hop back to work quickly, saving you valuable time and a further clearer indication that the procedure involves little discomfort.

Second Hair Transplants

It’s common for patients to further manage their hair loss with another transplant in order to achieve a more desirable aesthetic look – in Rooney’s case this was planned. However, it’s not always necessary and many of our patients continue to be happy with their results for many, many years. It is dependent on the individual and the quality of their skin and hair – something our Hair Transplant Surgeons will be able to examine and explain in greater detail at a consultation.

The Benefits of an FUE Hair Transplant at The Private Clinic of Harley Street over a FUT ‘Strip’ Transplant

  • It’s possible to comfortably fall asleep during the procedure
  • You can watch TV, listen to the radio and even read a book
  • Very little discomfort
  • Scarring is hardly even visible and if your surgeon is good enough, you can even choose to shave your head without any worries
  • Very little downtime, meaning you can go back to work promptly
  • You can have an unshaven hair transplant, for the ultimate indiscretion
  • You will be treated by leading experts in the field, offering you long-term advice and medical expertise
  • Further hair loss can be effectively treated with hair loss medications available from our Hair Transplant Surgeons – Dr Luca De Fazio, Dr Raghu Reddy, Mr Michael Mouzakis, Dr Ismail Ughrat and Dr Furqan Raja.
  • Men and women of all skin types can be treated by our experts – something that required considerable experience
  • You can have an eyebrow or facial hair transplants if you have patchy or little hair in the region (over-plucking, injury or genetics can all be responsible).

FUE Hair Transplants at The Private Clinic

The Private Clinic of Harley Street only offer the latest FUE Hair Transplants from our two highly experienced and trained Hair Transplant Surgeons:

We only offer procedures we know can work and offer patients a permanent and effective solution to an issue or problem.

The Private Clinic prides itself on ensuring you have the best quality and most comprehensive care:

  • 24-hour patient helpline to ensure you are always in the best of hands.
  • As many post-operative care and appointments with your Hair Transplant surgeon and the nursing team as required.
  • Highly experienced Hair Transplant Surgeons who have many years of experience.
  • Comprehensive patient information, every step of the way.
  • Outstanding clinic facilities.
  • Our excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction, honest advice and outstanding care means your journey with The Private Clinic will be an exciting experience to a newfound head of hair.
  • Hear from previous hair transplant patients in our patient stories and videos
  • Read our extensive hair transplant FAQs
  • See our FUE Hair Transplant before and after photo gallery
  • Find out more information in our hair transplant blogs
  • Hair Transplant consultations are available nationwide in: London Harley Street, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Northampton.

To find out more about FUE Hair Transplants, please call 0333 920 2471 or use our hair transplant online contact form.