How Snapchat dysmorphia is warping our beauty ideals

Written by Hayley Hinze and published in House of Wellness on 5th October 2023 While dog ears and flower crowns are cute, social media’s beauty filters can also fuel an unhealthy obsession – sometimes known as Snapchat dysmorphia. From poreless skin to plump lips, beauty filters bring instant perfection to every shot. Accessible on almost every social […]

Informed Consent for Cosmetic Procedures: Navigating Psychological and Ethical Complexities

Informed Consent for Cosmetic Procedures: Navigating Psychological and Ethical Complexities The scrutiny the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is giving to cosmetic procedures shows no sign of slowing down. They’ve now turned their attention to non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as non-invasive treatments like fillers, lasers, anti-wrinkle and fat-dissolving injections. A key focus of AHPRA […]

Top Tips for Managing Difficult Conversations with Cosmetic Patients

So your patient has screened positive for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), or in the red/high risk zone on the Cosmetic Readiness Questionnaire – NOW WHAT!? One of the challenges of the new Medical Board Guidelines is that they increase the need for cosmetic practitioners to have difficult conversations with their patients about their mental health […]

Referring to Psychologists for Cosmetic Procedure Evaluations

Referring to a Psychologist for Cosmetic Assessment Have you identified a psychological risk in a patient where you feel like they might need extra support in making the decision to get a cosmetic procedure or surgery?  Cosmetic Readiness Assessments are conducted by clinical psychologist, Dr Toni Pikoos, who has an in-depth understanding of the benefits and […]

Do I need a validated screening tool for non-surgical cosmetic procedures?

Recent statements at the Non-Surgical Symposium have raised some questions about whether validated screening tools are actually needed before non-surgical cosmetic procedures. The Medical Board guidelines for non-surgical procedures state, “2.2 The medical practitioner who will perform the cosmetic procedure or prescribe the cosmetic injectable  must assess the patient for underlying psychological conditions such as […]

Patient experiences with BDD screening before cosmetic procedures

Patient Experiences with BDD Screening during Cosmetic Consultations Below are two case studies where patients have screened positive for body dysmorphic disorder before a cosmetic procedure, and on one occasion, after having completed a rhinoplasty . They show that difficult conversations can have good outcomes, and that collaboration between all parties is key.  These stories […]

How ReadyMind Works

Get started with ReadyMind – A how to guide In the below video Dr Toni Pikoos runs through step-by-step instructions on how to get started with ReadyMind. https://vimeo.com/834254647

Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Cosmetic Procedure Screening

Understanding the Impact of Body Dysmorphic Disorder on Cosmetic Treatments Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a psychiatric condition characterised by an excessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in one’s physical appearance. Individuals with BDD often have distorted perceptions of their own looks, focusing on minor details and exaggerating perceived imperfections. This article delves into the reasons […]

A discussion around AHPRA’s new screening guidelines for cosmetic patients

The Impact of Psychological Complications on Cosmetic Procedures: A Guide to the AHPRA Guidelines In a recent webinar Dr. Toni Pikoos, a specialist in body dysmorphic disorder, discussed the psychological complications associated with cosmetic procedures. She shed light on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) guidelines and how these guidelines have been informed by […]

ReadyMind Frequently Asked Questions

Question and Answer with ReadyMind Co-Founder, Dr Toni Pikoos. I’ve been fielding lots of questions from cosmetic practitioners about how the AHPRA guidelines will effect them, and how to implement them. I’ve consulted with AHPRA and wanted to summaries some of the most common questions i’ve been hearing: QUESTION: Are the ReadyMind screening questionnaires validated? […]