The European Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ESAPS) is deeply saddened to hear of the recent additional deaths in Europe of patients who underwent cosmetic procedures at the hands of unqualified practitioners in unregulated facilities. We extend our sincere condolences to the families affected.
Our core values are centred around patient safety and the quality of medical care in aesthetic surgery and medical aesthetic procedures. Regrettably across Europe, numerous individuals including doctors, nurses, aestheticians and even those lacking any formal qualifications) practice beyond their scope of training and expertise. As a result, both patient safety and individual patients suffer as a result.
ESAPS maintains a clear position that aesthetic plastic surgery and medical aesthetic procedures should only performed by fully qualified and credentialled healthcare professionals with relevant specialisations in their respective countries. To emphasise this point, aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery should only be performed by accredited surgeons within their designated scope of practice in a relevant surgical specialty. Plastic surgeons possess a comprehensive curriculum that covers the full scope of cosmetic surgery. Other surgical specialties such as otolaryngologists, maxillofacial surgeons and ophthalmic surgeons may possess localised expertise but should refrain from operating beyond their core competencies.
Moreover, aesthetic surgery and invasive medical procedures should also only occur in healthcare facilities that meet the necessary standards, ensuring that appropriate medical care is available for these procedures to be performed safely and to a high standard.
While we recognize the benefits that aesthetic surgery and procedures bring to our patients daily within our own practices, it is crucial to acknowledge that all invasive medical procedures require clinical knowledge and adherence to facility standards to ensure their safe execution. Furthermore, all procedures inherently carry potential complications, even when performed by skilled practitioners. Why take on additional risks by entrusting your health and safety to unqualified individuals in unregulated environments that may not be equipped to address complications if they arise? Therefore, we stress the importance of seeking care from qualified professionals in regulated environments to safeguard patient health and well-being.
In light of these urgent concerns, ESAPS calls upon national governments, health ministries, and regulatory bodies throughout Europe to fulfil their fundamental duty to protect citizens and uphold public health standards. It is imperative that decisive legislative and regulatory action is taken to ensure that aesthetic surgery and medical aesthetic procedures are effectively regulated in every European country. This includes enforcing clear qualifications for practitioners, mandating accreditation of surgical facilities, and establishing strict oversight mechanisms.
Without robust and harmonised regulation, patients will continue to be exposed to avoidable risks. Governments must act now to close the regulatory gaps and implement safeguards that prioritise patient safety, medical integrity, and public trust in the healthcare system.