As a former general secretary of the European Plastic Surgery Research Council, I am in full agreement with your editorial, Cosmetic surgery business needs a facelift (June 15).
When plastic surgery goes well, it can transform a life. When it goes wrong, it can all too easily ruin one. Patients must not take the risk of seeing unregistered or poorly qualified practitioners.
Patients should have a cooling-off period between a consultation for non-surgical aesthetic procedures, such as Botox, chemical peels, dermal fillers and laser treatments, or aesthetic surgical procedures like abdominoplasty, and giving their informed consent.
The plastic surgeon must provide aftercare and be able to deal with any complications. The ability to prevent, recognise and treat complications is vital to the health of patients and the reputation of plastic surgery as a profession.
My advice is that people should always go to a plastic surgeon who is registered as a consultant with the health authority, and that recommendations from your family physician are more reliable than advertising.
Good plastic surgeons will insist on giving you at least two weeks to consider a procedure, give you realistic expectations (including showing you pictures of complications and data about their own complication rates), and provide long-term follow-up.
If you are uncertain regarding any procedure, do not be pressured into surgery.
S Al Benna, Abu Dhabi
Concern about children in cars
It was shocking to read about the careless and irresponsible attitude of some parents (58 children saved from hot cars by Dubai police this year, June 15).
Given the soaring temperatures, neither children nor adults could survive long inside a locked car.
It is disturbing that parents remain forgetful despite repeated reminders.
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
Rules of fasting need clarification
I am confused about the rules surrounding the observance of Ramadan (Penalty for breaking law by eating inpublic, June 14).
How does the law define “public”? There are restaurants that serve food and beverages during the hours of fasting. Is it all right for non-Muslims to eat in these places?
I play golf at weekends and I consume water to avoid dehydration. Is it all right to do so on the golf course?
Randall Mohammed, Dubai
Lecture series is well timed
I was pleased to read Ramadan lecture series to tackle Islam's 'pressing issues' (June 15).
The strong message to the entire community is to live peacefully and put aside all sectarian differences.
Ramadan is an ideal time to convey this message.
It is good to know that the guest speakers are specialists in challenging extremism, which is a key threat today. Ramachandran Nair, Oman
Yemen’s people deserve a pause
Your editorial, Press pause in Yemen during Ramadan (June 15), was excellent.
The people of Yemen have suffered enough. Many of them have been displaced and their lives have been torn asunder by the war.
They are entitled to some peace during the holy month.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
Laughter is the best medicine
Rob Long's opinion article, Jerry Seinfeld and I are among a dying breed (June 13), struck a chord with me.
Perhaps some people don’t laugh because they don’t have anything funny to say.
I find tons of things to laugh about every day. I can easily laugh at myself, which means I don’t need a reason to laugh at others.
Chris Handforth, Abu Dhabi
Jerry Seinfeld is 61. Is it really so strange that college audiences one-third of his age might be into different stuff now?
If they’re not laughing at you any more, the problem might not be that they don’t know how to laugh.
Name withheld by request
