New guidelines came into play this week which outline education and advertising requirements for cosmetic practitioners.
AHPRA has warned that it is on the lookout for practices putting profit above patient safety when it comes to cosmetic procedures, as two new guidelines go live.
The changes, which came into effect on 2 September but were originally released in May, are two-fold.
One guideline outlines AHPRA’s expectations for non-doctor practitioners performing non-surgical cosmetic procedures like Botox, fillers, thread lifts and laser hair removal.
The big changes here are that nurses will now need to practice for a minimum of one year post-registration before moving into the cosmetics industry and will have to undertake additional training in anatomy, physiology, patient assessment and specific non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
AHPRA stopped short of recommending a specific training program or syllabus.
All registered health practitioners whose scope of practice includes cosmetic procedures will now also have to undertake CPD that involves activities related to cosmetic procedures.
While the guidelines are targeted toward non-medical practitioners like registered nurses, they also specifically state that registered health practitioners who are authorised to provide prescription only cosmetic injectables must have either an in-person or video consultation with the patient each time they prescribe a cosmetic injectable.
Text, email and online consults, the guidelines say, are not considered acceptable practice.
The guideline for medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery and other procedures remains unchanged.
The second guideline covers advertising standards for higher-risk non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
A higher-risk procedure is defined as any that requires an authorisation only available to certain registered health practitioners, uses a prescription-only medicine or requires a level of anatomical, physiological or pharmacological knowledge.
Under the new guidelines, cosmetic procedure advertisements must use unedited images and include an explicit warning that results may vary.
Sexualised images, including “oiled bodies” and poses suggestive of sexual positions, will fall afoul of the guidelines, as will phrases like “barbie” and “doll-maker”.
AHPRA CEO Justin Untersteiner said practitioners “have been warned”.
“If we find practitioners prioritising profits over patient care, we will not hesitate to act,” he said.
“Patient safety must come first.”
Medical Board chair Dr Susan O’Dwyer specifically highlighted the advertising guidelines.
“Unfortunately, exploitative advertising has increased as fast as patient demand. We have tightened the rules to support patients, so they can make safe and informed choices,” she said.
“A filler is not a facial.
“These guidelines aim to educate patients about what is really involved in these procedures.”
