Just what is aesthetic treatment that calls for a recent ban by Ministry of Health (MOH) to stop various aesthetic treatment practices? Aesthetic treatment includes treatments such as fat-busting injections, skin treatments to remove flaws, skin whitening treatments etc. MOH's explanation being, that these 'treatments' have not been medically proven as effective and harmless, and should not be advertised as being medically beneficial. (For more details, check out the news in ST, 21 March 08.)

In The Sunday Times (23 March 08), I read more news on this issue and somehow, mixed reviews were posed on the ban on some of the aesthetic treatments. Some view it as a good move in stopping any potential malpractices by doctors while another group view the authorities as 'overreacting'. Those who are for the ban had bad experience with aesthetic treatments previously while those who are against the ban experienced successful treatments.

What caught my attention was the fact that some of those who are for the ban knew that such treatments are not scientifically and medically proven to be harmless or effective. The adverse or no results obtained from the aesthetic treatments they had somehow 'coloured' their opinion that banning such practices is good. Nevertheless, when they were so attracted and 'persuaded' by the advertisements initially, all else seem oblivious. Obviously for those who wanted to lose weight and have a slim waist, they had the option of working out in the gym or controlling their diet, yet, they chose the fastest and less time consuming way of losing weight.

I believe those who experienced successful treatments would continue to believe that they have made a rational and right decision. Whereas for the lot who had bad experience with aesthetic treatments, they would have thought that how irrational could they be by signing up a series of unproven treatments.

It's like the saying goes, "Once bitten, twice shy". I doubt these disgruntled patrons would attempt aesthetic treatment again unless it has been scientifically and medically proven to be harmless and effective in its treatment.

For those who have yet to try such treatments or intending to, would now be procrastinating their action and having second thoughts of going for aesthetic treatments. The fact that others' unfortunate encounter would have some degree of deterrence effect especially now it is educated to the ignorance that such treatment has yet to be proved medically.