Dear Stakeholder,

The National Boards and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) have launched a new education campaign called ‘be safe first’ to advise consumers of the risks associated with cosmetic procedures particularly those offered by unregistered practitioners. The ‘be safe first’ campaign includes resources to help consumers to know what kinds of questions to ask before going ahead with a cosmetic procedure.

The campaign encourages consumers to think seriously about who is undertaking the procedure, where it is performed, and the product being used before going through with any cosmetic procedure.

About the ‘be safe first’ resources

The ‘be safe first’ resources include a new ‘cosmetic surgery and procedures’ section on the Ahpra website at www.ahpra.gov.au/besafefirst, with dedicated pages for specific audiences including:

• information to help consumers know what questions to ask and what to look out for
• information about who to contact with a concern and the roles and responsibilities of organisations involved in regulating cosmetic procedures and surgery
• a new fact sheet on cosmetic injectables
• information resources for practitioners about cosmetic procedures, including links to guidance developed earlier by the Dental, Medical and Nursing and Midwifery Boards of Australia.

The ‘be safe first’ resources are being supported with a social media campaign.

Key messages from the ‘be safe first’ resources

• All cosmetic procedures have risks.
• When having a cosmetic procedure, consider whether the person who is going to carry out the procedure is appropriately qualified, knowledgeable, skilled and experienced.
• Cosmetic procedures should be provided in a clean and safe environment with products that have been prescribed appropriately.
• If a member of the public is considering a cosmetic procedure, they should ‘be safe first’ and make an informed decision.
• Consumers can ‘be safe first’ by checking out information on the Ahpra website, visit: www.ahpra.gov.au/besafefirst.

We are asking for your help

We are seeking your help to share and promote the ‘be safe first’ key messages and resources to consumers, registered health practitioners and other stakeholders.

We encourage you to share these key messages and the new resources on your website, online platforms or in your publications. You do not need to seek permission to do this. We only ask that you let us know when you do, so we can track how far and wide they go. You can do this by emailing communications@ahpra.gov.au.

To support the ‘be safe first’ social media campaign please follow us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn and remember to use the hashtag #besafefirst and tag @Ahpra to be part of the conversation. If you want to use any of the social media graphics used in the campaign just email communications@ahpra.gov.au.

More information

If you have any feedback and / or questions, please let me know. Thank you for supporting this important initiative by Ahpra and National Boards.