DOCTORS who are practised in 25 established aesthetic procedures such as chemical peels and skin-plumping botox injections can continue to do them, if they have enough practice with good results under their belt.

But those without a good track record, or any newcomer, will now need the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) to verify that they are qualified to perform the procedures before they can proceed.

And any doctor who wants to carry out seven other controversial treatments, such as fat-busting carboxytherapy and cellulite-reducing endermologie, will need to notify the council, and monitor patients very closely.

These seven cosmetic treatments have to be a last resort, after conventional methods have not worked.

Doctors must keep detailed records, which may be audited by the Health Ministry.

The final guidelines on aesthetic practices for doctors, which were formulated by the Academy of Medicine, the College of Family Physicians and the SMC, begin on Saturday.

They were generated in response to concern over the proliferation of cosmetic procedures being offered by doctors, including some which are banned in other countries, such as cellulite-dissolving mesotherapy.

They are intended to safeguard patients who seek beauty treatments which may be unproven, to the tune of some $200 million a year.

The guidelines provide a detailed reference to the qualifications doctors must have in order to perform the 25 established procedures.

They will have to submit proof, for example, certificates from courses approved by the SMC, that they can do such procedures.

The SMC will take disciplinary action against doctors who flout the guidelines.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.