19-year-old “Dr. Kitty” Busted for Cosmetic “Practice” in her Basement

The latest in non-qualified “practitioners” providing cosmetic surgery, a 19-year-old was arrested in Toronto for providing treatment in her basement. Her age says about all one needs to know to understand why this is a horrible thing – something that puts would-be patients at extreme risk.

On the latest episode of No Spin Live, board certified plastic surgeons discuss “Dr. Kitty” and how even extreme stories like this stand as great examples of what not to do as a curious patient.

The Problem with Non-Surgical Treatments

Dr. Kitty, or so she is called, was offering cosmetic treatments to patients in her basement. Already this is enough for serious alarm, but patients went to her. Patients go to the salon for Botox, and maybe even some dermal filler at their dentist. While a dentist is certainly more trained than a 19-year-old, they’re still woefully short in experience when compared to a surgeon.

“Millennials relate to millennials quite well, although I think this is a little bit crazy,” shares board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Lou Bucky. “A 19-year-old treating patients in their basement needs to be an example of what not to do! It’s an extension of, why you would go to someone who isn’t trained? Why would you go to salons for certain treatments instead of a surgical suite? Why do people go out of the country?? We have to understand what patients want better so we can communicate to them better about why this is a mistake.”

Would-be patients see the benefit of cosmetic procedures, as well as the accompanying price tag. Let’s face it, cosmetic procedures aren’t the cheapest thing in the world. Why? The products and devices used in non-surgical procedures are extremely costly – part of why many of them are extremely successful. Research and development, testing, regulations… There are many hoops to jump before a product is ready for market use.

Even then, this isn’t taking a magic pill. Botox and fillers need to be appropriately injected. Would a patient want to save a hundred dollars receiving the treatment from someone who had a weekend course on injections? Or a surgeon who has spent over a decade understanding human anatomy?

“I expect this out of South Florida, not Toronto,” jokes board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Pozner. “In South Florida, you hear all these crazy stories about people injecting certain things in people’s buttocks and getting into trouble. You gotta be pretty stupid to go to Dr. Kitty in her basement and expect to get a great result and stay out of trouble. Obviously, people think that they’re getting away with something…and they get talked into stuff. The bottom line is, the products cost a lot of money, we’re expected to make a profit on things, we’re going to do a good job and have the training and background to stand behind what we do.”

Dr. Jonquille Chantrey, an expert on non-surgical cosmetic procedures, equally admits being incredulous that anyone would go see Dr. Kitty, and not only because of her age.

“I’m just kind of curious as to the sort of person who goes to somebody like that,” says Dr. Chantrey. “I think she looks a little bit tired for 19! Who actually did her training? I don’t get it, don’t get it at all. It’s crazy.”

At the end of the day, patients need to be smart when it comes to having any cosmetic procedure. Going to see a 19-year-old named Dr. Kitty who invites you into her basement isn’t what we would call smart.