If you walk right into a cosmetic surgeon's office, you most likely don't expect to be asked about your recent breakup or the way you take care of stress.
But in Australia, it has been standard practice for about three years.
This is after the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. introduced Mandatory mental health screening before cosmetic procedures. This includes cosmetic surgery, reminiscent of facelifts, and non-surgical procedures including cosmetic injections and laser treatments.
The decision was a part of a series of reforms designed to assist keep patients protected. But it has also made the Australian cosmetic industry one of the advanced. Strictly regulated In the world
So how effective have these reforms been nearly three years later? And are patients higher off?
Cosmetic medicine is booming in Australia.
Every 12 months, the Australian spend more than $1 billion on over 500,000 cosmetic procedures. This means we spend more per capita on cosmetic drugs than the US.
More than a 3rd of Australia in 2023 were considering Getting cosmetic surgery done in the following decade. Interest amongst young women is especially strong, with 54% of young Australian women to consider Cosmetic surgery in some unspecified time in the future of their life. Most individuals who seek surgery hope that this elective procedure will ensure their improvement. Appearance or self-esteem..
After cosmetic surgery, roughly 80-90% of patients are satisfied with results. Many people also report feeling higher about their appearance. Five years after the procedure. Some studies also show cosmetic surgery. improves Mood and quality of lifetime of patients.
However, some patients may. sorry A cosmetic procedure or feel worse The latter is why identifying vulnerable patients, especially those considering irreversible procedures, is so essential.
So, what's the connection between cosmetic surgery and mental health?
Research shows Examining patients' mental health prior to any cosmetic procedure affects how they feel post-operatively. People with increased symptoms of psychological distress, reminiscent of anxiety and depression, usually tend to be dissatisfied with the outcomes of cosmetic procedures. They find their recovery difficult and even Experience More physical complications after surgery.
Certain psychological conditions have a greater impact on the mental health of patients after surgery. An example is body dysmorphic disorder, where people often see perceived flaws of their appearance. These so-called flaws could also be subtle or is probably not apparent to others. As a result, these patients may look to cosmetic surgery to correct their perceived imperfections.
2022 review of relevant studies found Up to twenty percent of patients requesting cosmetic procedures had a body dysmorphic disorder. And our 2025 study shows About 12% of Australian cosmetic patients either have unrealistic expectations of cosmetic surgery or show symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder or psychological distress.
Still many patients with body dysmorphic disorder Feel unsatisfied with their appearance after cosmetic treatment. This is because they often give attention to the identical perceived flaw or a very different one. This can have a negative impact on their mental health and in some cases may cause patients to suffer from it. Take legal action Against the surgeons for not giving the specified result.
Reason for screening
About three years ago, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency changed its guidelines About cosmetic procedures
As a result, doctors performing cosmetic procedures should screen patients for psychiatric conditions, reminiscent of body dysmorphic disorder. They can do that by conducting interviews or using tools reminiscent of written questionnaires.
If doctors discover any concerns, they need to. Refer patients See a psychologist, psychiatrist or GP before proceeding with treatment.
However, one A recent national survey suggests that the cosmetic industry shouldn't be embracing these reforms. This research shows. 84% plastic surgeons Less than 5% of patients were referred. This is much lower than our research shows that body dysmorphic disorder is. About 70% of plastic surgeons interviewed said they might not proceed screening if it weren't mandatory.
Some surgeons have made their concerns public. In 2024, also a bunch of surgeons Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency taken to court.. They tried to eliminate recent guidelines or establish other protections for patients.
From the patient's viewpoint, mandatory screening may mean that they can't undergo cosmetic surgery. i Our 2025 study Involving greater than 8,000 Australian cosmetic patients, we found that individuals were significantly more reluctant to report mental health symptoms at cosmetic clinics than when completing the identical questionnaire anonymously for research. This is feasible because they feel they should “pass” a psychological screening test with the intention to receive cosmetic surgery. Therefore, the self-reporting element of the present questionnaires is a serious limitation.
So, is psychological screening obligatory?
Screening was never intended to exclude people from cosmetic treatments. Rather, it was designed to assist practitioners and patients make informed decisions.
About half are considering cosmetic procedures. Report Mental health concerns. For most, this doesn't make them unsuitable candidates. But in some cases, they might profit from delaying cosmetic procedures. This will give them time to hunt additional psychological support or consult with a practitioner about what to anticipate from cosmetic surgery.
Importantly, screening tools mustn't be used alone. Instead, they needs to be a part of a broader assessment of the patient's motivations, goals, and overall health. This features a discussion of how cosmetic surgery can positively or negatively affect their mental health.
But researchers, like us, are working on recent screenings. Questionnaires To help surgeons more accurately assess a patient's mindset and discover any psychological concerns before cosmetic procedures. But we'd like more research to know whether or not they improve outcomes for patients and practitioners.
Yes, discussing your mental health with a cosmetic surgeon can feel uncomfortable. But it helps be certain that any decision to vary your look comes from a spot of stability, not discomfort.