Buckinghamshire, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/12/2015 -- Last month saw the launch of a new awareness-raising campaign led by UK plastic surgery body BAPRAS.

'Think Over Before You Make Over' aims to tackle what BAPRAS describes as a "worrying lack of consumer awareness about how to choose safe and appropriate cosmetic surgery".

They say that thousands of patients every year put themselves at risk of receiving bad or inappropriate cosmetic treatment - a statistic that could easily be improved through better patient research.

The shocking study that inspired their campaign found a quarter of cosmetic surgery patients (24%) don't check their surgeon's credentials, and a fifth (21%) aren't aware of the risks involved with their procedure.

The new campaign has seen BAPRAS create an information hub on their website, where patients can read up on cosmetic procedures and download a step-by-step guide on what to look for when to choosing a surgeon.

Not just a surgery issue

Aesthetic training provider Cosmetic Courses has welcomed the move by BAPRAS, but adds that patients need to be equally vigilant when it comes to non-surgical treatments.

The company, based in Buckinghamshire, offers expert Botox training throughout the UK, including London's Harley Street, to doctors, dentists, nurses and other medical professionals looking to move into the aesthetics industry.

They have long argued the case for better regulation of the industry, and recently launched their own initiative to help safeguard patients seeking non-surgical treatments - the National Cosmetic Network.

This online directory allows patients to find safe, reputable practitioners in their area. All practitioners listed on the site have been personally trained and assessed by Cosmetic Courses, so patients can be confident the person they are entrusting with their treatment has achieved the required standard of qualification.

The website also allows patients to check the level of training their practitioner has completed - whether Basic or Advanced.

Save Face Partnership

As part of their commitment to patient safety, Cosmetic Courses have also teamed up with Save Face to promote their enhanced accreditation programme to their delegates.

The Save Face Scheme gives independent, impartial accreditation to practitioners and clinics who complete a rigorous training programme and demonstrate that their practice complies with robust industry standards.

All practitioners who meet the criteria and achieve Save Face accreditation receive a discount on further training at Cosmetic Courses.

Speaking of the need to protect all aesthetic patients, Cosmetic Courses' founder and Clinical Director, Consultant Plastic Surgeon Adrian Richards, explains:

"It's great to see BAPRAS show some leadership on this. Their findings show there's a real need for more information so patients can make properly informed choices. And that applies not only to cosmetic surgery, but right across the aesthetics industry. We have to recognise the need for standards and safeguards when it comes to non-surgical treatments too - especially in light of the fact that dermal fillers are still not properly regulated. As professionals, we need to do all we can to give patients the information they need."

About Cosmetic Courses
Cosmetic Courses was established in 2002 and offers a wide range of aesthetic training courses, including Botox courses, to qualified medical professionals in the UK. For more information on our company, our team, our locations or courses, please contact us on 01844 390110 or email ask@cosmeticcourses.co.uk, http://www.cosmeticcourses.co.uk