For several months, H.P from Khanh Hoa province, for example, has been traveling back and forth between HCMC and her hometown to treat complications from beauty therapy.
Four months ago, P. had laser treatment on her lips at a spa near her home. A few days later, her lips developed hard scars on the upper lip, causing pain and stiffness when smiling.
"After I noticed the problems, I contacted the spa and was reassured that the wound would return to normal in a week. However, as the situation didn't improve, I complained again. At that time, the spa staff injected a scar-softening medication, saying that this is a product from Korea," P said.
After several months, the scar hardened further, becoming an unsightly blemish on her face when she smiled. She decided to visit HCM City for a medical consultation and was shocked to learn she had an aesthetic complication.
Dr Nguyen Thi Phan Thuy, Director of the HCM City Dermatology Hospital, said the hospital receives an average of 200-500 patients annually who suffer complications after cosmetic surgeries.
These complications stem from inadequate infection control and lack of professional skills, as well as unverified or damaged equipment. Most of the cases are conducted at illegal or unlicensed beauty establishments.
Vu Huu Thinh from the HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital recalled a patient in her 30s (from HCM City) who was hospitalized on New Year's Eve with her buttocks discharging fluid.
"The patient wanted to enhance her buttocks using filler injections at a nearby spa. A few days later, her buttocks became hard, painful, and began to ooze pus. By the time she sought emergency care, an abscess had formed in her gluteal area. We had to perform surgery to address the abscess and closely monitor her health throughout the Lunar New Year," Thinh said.
Demand
Thinh said demand for beauty treatments has increased steadily in recent years. At his hospital, most clients now have to wait about a week for surgery dates, whereas previously they could be treated on the same or next day.
According to the doctor, clients seeking aesthetic therapy just before Tet can be classified into two main groups.
The first group desires quick treatment to become more beautiful on Tet holiday. They are mostly advised to undergo non-surgical aesthetic treatments that yield results in 1-2 weeks. The second group has surgery before Tet, and plan to have post-surgery rest during Tet days. These people often have more facial surgeries or multiple operations.
Another group comprises overseas Vietnamese. They often return home for the New Year to undergo beauty treatments due to Vietnam's affordable costs, skilled doctors, and advanced technology.
The other clients are Viet Kieu (overseas Vietnamese). They return to Vietnam to celebrate Tet and have plastic surgery, because service fees in Vietnam are much lower than in other countries, and Vietnamese surgeons are qualified and Vietnamese hospitals use advanced technologies.
Pham Hieu Liem, Head of the Aesthetic Surgery Department at the HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, noted that year-end is the time chosen by many people for beauty services.
"Some undergo cosmetic surgery several months before the New Year. Others opt for treatments just weeks before," the doctor explained.
Many people want to undergo multiple cosmetic surgeries at once, such as eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, liposuction or breast augmentation.
This offers certain benefits, such as minimizing the number of surgeries and time for postoperative care. However, undergoing too many procedures at once can lead to complications.
Instead of having numerous procedures at the same time, people should choose less invasive options, and have surgery procedures one by one. People should choose reputable facilities with specialties and skilled doctors who understand their needs and physical conditions. This optimizes results and minimizes unwanted risks.
Thinh stressed that all aesthetic therapies cannot yield immediate results. Therefore, he recommended undergoing cosmetic surgery at least three months before the desired result to allow the body to heal for the best outcome.
According to Ho Van Han, Chief Inspector of the HCM City Department of Health, there are 37 cosmetic hospitals, 31 departments of aesthetic surgery in various hospitals in HCM City, 290 specialized dermatology clinics, and 414 specialized dermatology offices.
In addition, there are 3,891 non-medical beauty service establishments (including spas and skincare facilities). These non-medical beauty service establishments are licensed by districts, urban districts, and the Department of Planning and Investment.
Linh Thuy