Council exposes myths in beauty treatment of double eyelids -CHOICE # 373

The Consumer Council is continuing its vigilance on dubious advertising claims on beauty treatment services.

The latest claims brought to light concern double eyelids. In the opinion of the experts, such claims are based on mere myths.

Myth number one: permanent double eyelids without the need for surgery. This, according to the Hong Kong Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, is simply not possible.

There are many factors affecting the permanency state of double eyelids: sagging skin with age would mask the effect of double folds, frequent rubbing or pulling of the eyelid skin (as in contact lens wearers), and/or excessive body weight changes can loosen the suture ligation resulting in drooping of the upperlids and disappearance of the double folds.

Due to these factors, there is even no guarantee of permanent double eyelids, not even with surgery, let alone treatment without it.

Myth number two: applying ointment to remove the fat on the eyes to form double eyelids. Again, there is no such drug known to achieve such effect.

Even if the drug reduced the fat, it would not produce double eyelids. Furthermore, such drug could be so strong to potentially leave behind a scar on the eyelid or even damage the eye.

Regarding Intense Pulse Light, it has no fat removal effect at all. Even so, it can potentially cause burn injury to the eyelids and, more seriously, affect the eyesight or even blindness.

Myth number three: double eyelids treatment by means of physiotherapy. The Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association is quick to clarify that physiotherapy treatment can never turn single eyelid into double eyelids.

In the first nine months of the year, the Consumer Council has received 10 cases of consumer complaints in relation to beauty service of double eyelids. This compared with 13 cases in 2005, and 9 cases in 2006.

Current legislation does not regulate such misleading advertisements. As an immediate measure, the Council urges the Government to extend the scope of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance to cover, in addition to goods only, false or misleading trade descriptions of services also such as beauty treatment.

In recent years, many consumers were drawn, through advertisements, to go abroad for beauty treatment or plastic surgery.

Some were dissatisfied with the result as it was considered disproportional to the contour of their face or body, according to the Hong Kong Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons.

Consumers are advised to pay attention to the following:

• Seek advice of specialists on suitability of such operation, risks involved, expected result and potential surgical consequences. The biggest shortcoming of such overseas surgery is lack of ample time for thorough consultation with overseas doctors regarding details of such operation.
   
• Consider the details of arrangement of follow ups and subsequent attendances after surgery. Even more, consider the extra money and time needed to go back abroad for any additional treatment, if necessary.
   
• Ascertain if the overseas doctor is board certified plastic surgeon.
   
• Should fully understand the detail of the surgery. Be aware of the potential language barrier resulting in unnecessary misunderstanding or even misconception of the surgical result and expectation.
   
• Keep all relevant information and operation records for future follow up.
   
• Know and understand clearly your own needs, and do not impulsively rush for the surgery just because of persuasion by the beauty parlor staff or offer of special rates for surgery.