According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), many plastic surgery patients are still uninformed of the dangers linked to cosmetic procedures performed by unqualified practitioners in unsafe settings.

Recent reports of patients who've suffered severe pain, disfigurement, and even death after receiving backroom plastic surgery have raised concern that consumers are not educated enough when seeking cosmetic procedures.

Plastic surgery patients looking for a bargain will often go to non-medical settings to receive cosmetic procedures at a cheaper price. Popular procedures including injectable fillers used to minimize facial wrinkles, are regularly administered by unlicensed practitioners. In many cases, patients may be injected with unsafe and ineffective materials such as baby oil or silicone, which pose serious health risks.

“We desperately need more education on this topic. Patients may be lured in by inexpensive prices and unrealistic claims,” said James M. Stuzin, MD, president of the Aesthetic Society. “Patients think they are getting a bargain, but they are actually putting their health and lives at risk and they may not even know it.”

Doctors urge patients to make safe choices when seeking plastic surgery procedures. “Only licensed practitioners should perform cosmetic procedures,” Stuzin said.

Furthermore, all cosmetic surgeries should be performed in licensed facilities rather than non-clinical settings like beauty salons and hotels. And doctors warn against choosing a practitioner based on lower prices.

“We hear very sad and frustrating stories of patients being taken advantage of by phony doctors and illegal procedures. Patients are being scammed and exposed to great harm. We need to let them know that they should do their homework—find out more information about the procedure, location