However, clear agreements have been made in the Quality Framework for Aesthetic Care regarding which procedure may be performed by an aesthetic doctor and which by a plastic surgeon. In practice, these agreements are not always adhered to, leading to extreme complications. Due to the rapid growth of the aesthetic industry, it is important to remain vigilant and critical. There is little oversight from the industry itself.
A completed medical degree does not make you competent!
After the six-year medical study, you are a basic doctor, but this does not mean you have experience in the field of aesthetic treatments and procedures. According to the BIG Act (Individual Healthcare Professions Act), doctors have independent authorization. Two important elements are relevant: authorized and competent. You are authorized after completing medical school. Competence refers to the healthcare professional as an individual. Am I skilled and do I know enough? Can I do this? Competence consists of a knowledge component and a skill component. Authorization can be verified, but oversight of competence is concerning.
Difference between an aesthetic doctor and a plastic surgeon
Both have completed medical school. You become an aesthetic doctor by completing a two-year KNMG aesthetic doctor training after medical school. As an aesthetic doctor, you are then authorized to perform injectables such as Botox and fillers, as well as minor aesthetic procedures such as upper eyelid corrections, superficial skin corrections, and scar corrections. The competence for these types of aesthetic procedures lies with the doctor themselves, which makes oversight difficult. A plastic surgeon follows a six-year training program after medical school to become a medical specialist in improving the form and function of the human body through surgery. Despite it being quite clear who is allowed to do what, plastic surgeons still see serious complications from treatments for which aesthetic doctors are neither authorized nor competent. The growth of complications is exponential and very concerning. Consider failed lower eyelid corrections for undereye bags or a tummy tuck performed by an aesthetic doctor in a treatment room, mind you, instead of a sterile operating room. As a doctor, you might think you are competent, but in practice, this often turns out not to be the case. Furthermore, hairdressers and beauticians also still seem to offer injectable treatments, even though this is strictly forbidden.
Forewarned is forearmed
In short, if you are interested in an aesthetic treatment, be critical in your search for the right doctor. Don't be guided solely by the word 'doctor', as this does not mean that this person is suitable for the treatment. Moreover, the number of clinics is growing extremely fast, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for consumers to make the right choice. Oversight of a doctor's competence proves difficult in practice. Our advice is therefore to be extremely careful and discerning yourself. Search the BIG-register to see what someone is trained for and read reviews on www.kliniekervaringen.nl. If it doesn't feel right, don't do it!
After studying Medicine at the University of Leuven (2015), Hugo further specialized in plastic surgery in the hospitals of Apeldoorn and Nijmegen. Cosmetic surgery, in particular, caught his attention – he is especially drawn to goal-oriented and practical action. Hugo has extensive experience with injectable treatments (more than 5,000 treatments) and specializes in upper eyelid correction (more than 1,500 operations). **Fresh and natural – without it being noticeable** "The combination of minor surgery and injectable treatments makes cosmetic medicine a wonderful profession where small procedures can make someone feel fresh and revitalized again. I listen to my clients' wishes but always maintain an overview of the overall picture – so that the face remains balanced. Because it's not about perfecting one zone, but about creating harmony throughout the entire face. Together we look at how we can achieve the most natural refreshment possible without it being obvious. My goal? That you look fresh without your surroundings realizing a treatment has taken place. That, for me, is the sign of a successful treatment." **Background & specialization** With his background in plastic surgery and his specialization in cosmetic procedures, Hugo combines surgical precision with an artistic eye for balance and harmony. His experience of more than 5,000 injectable treatments and 1,500 upper eyelid corrections makes him a versatile specialist within cosmetic medicine.
