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The Star : Rules on nip-and-tucks PDF Print E-mail
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Monday, 14 September 2009 15:24

23 November 2007

 

PUTRAJAYA: To ensure that beauty treatments do not turn ugly, the Health Ministry has drawn up a set of do�s and don�ts on aesthetic medicine.�

With immediate effect, private general practitioners are not allowed to carry out procedures such as breast implants, liposuction, eyelid surgery, laser and light-based therapies and hair transplant.�

They also cannot deal with unapproved agents, inject non-evidence based products like Vitamin C, placental extract, stem cells and growth hormones.

The list, drawn up following a meeting last month with relevant stakeholders, will be included in the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 under the director-general�s directive.�

A definition of aesthetic medicine has also been drawn up. It states it is a branch of medicine dedicated to creating a harmonious physical and psychological balance using non-invasive and minimally invasive treatment modalities.�

The modalities have to be evidence-based and scientifically proven on matters such as the anatomy and skin physiology.�

Director-general of health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said yesterday that only trained and credentialed personnel could do Botox treatment.�

He added that the general practitioners could, with proper credentials and training from a recognised institute, advise on matters such as medical cosmetology, chemical peels, cellulite control, hair removal and nutrition.�

�It does not mean the general practitioner has no role but they should be concentrating on procedures which are not invasive,� he said.�

He added that because aesthetic medicine was not a recognised medical speciality in Malaysia, the word �aesthetic� was not allowed to be displayed on signboards.�

Dr Ismail added that a proposal would be submitted to register specialists in aesthetic practices in the registry being compiled by the Malaysian Medical Council and Academy of Medicine.�

He said it was necessary to draw up such guidelines because the ministry was concerned about developments in the field and wanted to keep unscrupulous practices at bay.�

�If you want to look pretty, do it the right way. Make sure the right people provide you with the services,� he said.�