Editorial
(June 2003)
Past Editorials
WELL, IT HAS FINALLY
happened: The dermatology branch of the medical fraternity is taking umbrage at
the way certain “nonphysicians” are trespassing on their territory and taking
away business that they believe belongs only to MDs. An article titled Beauty
Versus Medicine: The Nonphysician Practice of Dermatologic Surgery, currently
appearing in the official publication of the American Society for Dermatologic
Surgery (ASDS), complains that too many unqualified individuals are involved in
what used to be called, ‘practicing medicine without a license.’ (See IHR story
in People, Places and Events, page 18.) The authors of the ASDS journal article,
who conducted an independent study of the problem, say that “laser hair removal
and other subsurface laser/light rejuvenation techniques, chemical peels, and
microdermabrasion, are among the cosmetic medical/surgical procedures being
performed in the U.S. by nonphysicians who do not have adequate medical training
or doctor supervision.”
Dr. Harold J. Brody of Emory University Medical School, in Atlanta, Georgia, who
spearheaded the study says, “The investigation was prompted by an alarming rise
in anecdotal reports among dermatologic surgeons, and a growing concern by the
ASDS about the proliferation of nonphysician operators (NPOs) practicing
medicine, and the impact of this on public health, safety, and welfare.”
In a survey of 2,400 ASDS members, nearly 45% of the respondents reported an
alarming incidence of patient complications due primarily to various invasive
medical procedures performed by NPOs (technicians, estheticians and employees of
medical/dental professionals), operating outside their scope of training.
Dr. Brody says that stories promoting quick-fix beauty solutions appear
regularly in the lay press and obscure the lines between science and glamour.
“Although media coverage touts the latest techniques and technologies in
cosmetic surgery as safe, painless, and minimally invasive, this portrayal of
aesthetic medicine tends to trivialize the potential risks of medical/surgical
procedures in the mind of the general public,” explains Dr. Brody.
According to the article, the beauty and medical industries themselves also
contribute to the ambiguity in the consumer marketplace with advertisements
promoting new cosmetic procedures and devices as magic bullets, free of side
effects and recovery downtime. The delivery of healthcare in salons, spas,
walk-in clinics, and health clubs only adds to the consumer’s confusion about
the medical nature of cosmetic dermatologic procedures. As an example of this,
Dr. Brody cites laser hair removal, certain types of laser resurfacing, chemical
peeling, and injectables — including botulinum toxin and collagen therapy —
among the dermatologic procedures now being administered in retail environments.
“These facilities then aggressively market their cosmetic surgery services to
unsuspecting consumers who are lured by promises of high medical technology at
low prices,” says Dr. Brody.
It seems like only a year or so ago that dermatologists and electrologists were
bickering over who is best qualified to reign over the lucrative practice of
laser hair removal. Now it looks as though U.S. dermatologists are adjusting
their tactics to focus on the giant beauty field and its great army of
participants (who are egged on by avaricious suppliers and manufacturers that
finance the industry with millions of dollars in the form of media advertising).
With this change in strategy the doctors are taking on a formidable opponent,
and it will be interesting to see how things unfold.
If nothing more, it will be a pleasure for electrologists to concentrate on the
day-to-day aspects of running a business without the distraction of being in a
dispute (either real or imagined) over who has the authority, or the right, to
remove unwanted hair with laser light. The message that IHR is getting from its
readers is clear: After listening to the laser debate for seven long years,
electrologists are tired of it. “Nonphysicians” in the beauty field who want to
enter into further contest with the dermatologic surgeons, are encouraged to do
so. The people who call themselves ‘electrologists’ want only to get on with
looking after their business of removing hair in the best way they are able.
— Derek R. Copperthwaite
editor@hairroute.com
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