Turkey’s New Cosmetic Surgery Rules Raise Risks of Botched Procedures!
Hold onto your hats, because Turkey’s latest decision to widen the pool of doctors who can perform cosmetic procedures is stirring quite the storm! While the government aims to increase access to aesthetics, medical professionals are ringing alarm bells about the potential for disastrous outcomes in what should be life-enhancing treatments.
This shift, formally announced in the Amendment to the Regulation on Private Healthcare Institutions Providing Outpatient Diagnosis and Treatment, opens the floodgates for a broader array of physicians—yes, even those with no prior experience in cosmetic or reconstructive surgery—to jump into the world of Botox and fillers. As long as they complete an approved certification or can prove relevant medical training, they’re good to go!
Previously, only dermatologists and board-certified plastic surgeons were allowed to perform these procedures, and they could only do so in facilities that met strict standards for safety and equipment. Now, though, we’re looking at a dramatic expansion in who can administer these procedures, all in an effort to tackle staffing shortages in public healthcare and elevate the availability of cosmetic services. But critics argue that this change is a dangerous step that could compromise patient safety and muddle professional boundaries.
In a candid discussion, the president of the Turkish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, voiced his serious concerns. “When I first laid eyes on this regulation, I thought I must be misreading it,” he said, emphasizing that the primary victim here could very well be public health.
“This regulation downplays the inherent risks tied to cosmetic procedures,” he continued. “Doctors from unrelated specialties will hastily complete short courses and obtain certificates—often without any hands-on training—and then dive into these complex treatments. Unfortunately, this is a recipe for complications, disfigurements, and, in the worst cases, fatalities.”
And the statistics are concerning. Reports of botched surgeries, leading to severe infections, tissue damage, and even deaths, are on the rise, particularly from unregulated “underground” clinics. Alarmingly, a mere fraction of these incidents are ever reported, as many victims choose to remain silent out of shame or fear.
The Allure of Cosmetic Cash
Critics also warn that this regulation could lure skilled physicians away from crucial medical fields. With the promise of high profits from non-invasive cosmetic procedures like Botox and fillers, even dedicated pediatricians or gynecologists might find themselves tempted to abandon their specialties for the allure of quick cash.
“Can you imagine a brilliant pediatric hematologist trading their vital work for Botox injections simply because it’s easier and more lucrative?” he lamented. “What happens to the critically ill children who need expert care?”
This shift could exacerbate already existing shortages in essential medical fields, especially within the public healthcare system. And let’s not forget about the potential decline in medical training as these professionals prioritize profitable cosmetic work over educational responsibilities.
This controversy is unfolding at a time when Turkey’s medical tourism industry is under increased scrutiny. Recent headlines have spotlighted numerous tragic outcomes linked to cosmetic procedures in Turkey, raising eyebrows across the globe.
In a heartbreaking case from December 2024, a young woman tragically lost her life to a fatal fat embolism just days after a Brazilian butt lift in Istanbul, with an inquest revealing gross negligence in post-operative care. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident; another young woman died after a lengthy cosmetic procedure in İzmir, with experts attributing her death to a pulmonary embolism—an all-too-common risk of prolonged surgeries.
Since January 2019, at least 28 British nationals have lost their lives during medical tourism trips to Turkey, further underscoring the serious need for tighter regulation and oversight in this industry.
Meanwhile, influencers and social media are drawing criticism for glamorizing risky medical procedures, often presenting them as fun vacation packages. “Yes, some highly qualified surgeons are working in Turkey, but we need to be cautious of social media recruiters offering budget-friendly holiday deals that come with serious risks,” a leading plastic surgery expert warned. “We must empower young individuals to resist the allure of influencers promoting unsafe treatments abroad.”
In response to these mounting concerns, professional associations in Turkey are rallying to contest the new regulation. The Turkish Society of Dermatology and the Turkish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons are strategizing with legal experts to draft a plan to combat this policy.
