Media Contacts:
Adeena Babbitt - 212.921.0500
adeena@surgery.org
New Data Finds Greater Measures Needed for Consumer Safety and Education on Injectable Therapies
New York, NY, August 15, 2007 - The need to educate consumers about cosmetic injectables and standards to protect their safety is evident in the findings released today by The Physician Coalition for Injectable Safety. The independent study conducted by Industry Insights, Inc. surveyed members of the Coalition about injectable therapies that are U.S. FDA-approved brand names designed to treat facial wrinkles, improve the signs of aging, enhance facial appearance and treat skin imperfections with Botulinum Toxin (Botox), dermal fillers and fat injections.
Top Findings- Member physicians see an average of 2-3 patients each year with complications resulting from cosmetic injectable therapies that were either administered in a non-medical setting, by an unqualified provider, or with an unknown substance.
- 84% of physicians reported that they have seen at least one patient with complications from cosmetic injectables.
- 29% of member physicians see complications arising from cosmetic injectable therapies administered in a non-medical setting.
- 38% of physicians see complications arising from cosmetic injectable therapies administered by an unqualified or untrained provider.
- 32% of physicians see complications from an unknown, non-FDA approved injectable substance.
- It is estimated that this group of surgeons who perform cosmetic medical procedure see 11,400 to 17,100 patients per year with complications arising from cosmetic injectable therapies that were either administered in a non-medical setting, by an unqualified provider, or with an unknown substance.
- Survey did not include board-certified dermatologists, of which there are an additional 15,000 specialists who are commonly trained to perform cosmeticinjectable treatments.
"Cosmetic injectable therapies are a rapidly growing segment of treatment that consumer are fast to embrace, but don't yet fully understand," says Eugene, Oregon, board-certified plastic surgeon and Mark L. Jewell, MD of the Physicians Coalition forInjectable Safety and past president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. "While Botox and dermal fillers are not surgical, they are still wholly medical procedures that require the experience and oversight of a physician specifically trained in cosmetic procedures of the face. A qualified physician is key not only to safety, but also to an aesthetically pleasing outcome."
Opportunities for Media
This survey information provides great insight and demonstrates the need for consumers to be educated on the risks and benefits of cosmetic injectable therapies. With programs initiated by the Physician Coalition for Injectable Safety, media of all types can help educate consumers to make smart decisions when seeking injectable therapies. This issue is potentially more serious as 15,000 board-certified dermatologists were not surveyed and, by inference, could potentially see an additional 30,000 to 45,000 patients each year with complications from injectable therapies. Content and tips from the coalition can reduce the number of complications and improve the quality of treatments for all consumers. Visit www.injectablesafety.org or contact us directly for information on:
- How to choose a doctor/provider.
- Questions to ask your doctor/provider.
- Demonstrating product authenticity by advising consumers to ask to see packaging and what authentic packaging looks like.
- Illustrating good results and outline potential complications from common and minor to more serious.
- Warning signs that a cosmetic injector (physician or nurse) might not be a safe or qualified choice to administer treatment.
- Outline good candidates for cosmetic injectable therapies, and why some readers should not seek cosmetic injectables.
- Visit and Refer readers to credible websites with information on injectable therapies such as www.injectablesafety.org.
About Us
The Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety is an alliance of specialty physician organizations including the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The mission of the Coalition is to provide the public with unbiased and necessary information on injectable cosmetic treatments, appropriate injectors and where to safely access cosmetic medical procedures. Our goal is to promote treatment supervised by properly qualified and trained, boardcertified doctors and to promote only the use of U.S. FDA-approved, appropriately administered product. More information can be found at www.injectablesafety.org.
About ASAPS
The 2400-member American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), founded in 1967, is the leading professional organization of plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who specialize in cosmetic plastic surgery. With 2,100 members in the U.S., Canada, and many other countries, ASAPS is at the forefront of innovation in aesthetic plastic surgery around the world.
About AAFPRS
The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is the world's largest specialty association that represents over 2,700 facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons throughout the world. The AAFPRS is a National Medical Specialty Society of the American Medical Association (AMA), and holds an official seat in both the AMA House of Delegates and the American College of Surgeons board of governors. AAFPRS members are board certified surgeons whose focus is surgery of the face, head, and neck.
About ASOPRS
The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery represent surgeons qualified in plastic surgery of the eyelids and surrounding facial structures. Fellows of the Society are board certified in ophthalmology, have completed fellowships in oculoplastic surgery (currently two years), and perform aesthetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgery of the face, orbits, eyelids, and lacrimal system.
Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety
This project is made possible through generous unrestricted grants from Artes Medical, BioForm Medical and Medicis Pharmaceutical Company.
We thank them for supporting this new resource for patient safety.