American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Stresses Caution With Injectable Cosmetic Treatments

CHICAGO -- The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) is issuing a cautionary statement to those interested in receiving cosmetic treatments such as Botox® or soft tissue filler injections. With the recent proliferation of "copycat" injectables, the risk for potential harm to patients has increased.

Therefore, the AACS is advising those patients interested in having a cosmetic procedure, such as these injections, to ask the following questions of your medical professional:

-- What is the substance that you will be injecting me with?
-- Where was the substance obtained?
-- What company is responsible for the production of this material?
-- Is the product being used FDA-approved for my condition?

"It is critical that patients have an ongoing dialogue with their cosmetic surgeon. A positive doctor-patient relationship is essential with any cosmetic procedure, even those deemed minor by surgical standards," said Claude H. Crockett, Jr., MD, president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery is a professional medical society whose members are dedicated to patient safety and physician education in cosmetic surgery. Most members of the AACS are dermatologic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, head and neck surgeons, general surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, or ocular plastic surgeons -- all of whom specialize in cosmetic surgery. AACS is the organization that represents all cosmetic surgeons in the American Medical Association through its seat in the AMA House of Delegates.

Source: American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery