Medical aids will not cover certain procedures, particularly cosmetic surgery and weight loss procedures. Other non-essential medical services like infertility procedures and LASIK may not be covered in full by medical aids, with many schemes now covering any part of the costs. A medical loan may be your only option should you not have the cash in hand to pay for these procedures.
What is a dermatologist?
Dermatology is the branch of medicine that deals with the skin, related diseases and skin care. A dermatologist is a medical doctor who has specialised in the field of dermatology for several years after completing their medical training. In South Africa, strict standards of training are maintained to ensure that all dermatologists within the country provide a similar service.
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Colouring the hair is a common practice whether it is to hide the greys, change your natural hair colour or highlight and streak certain portions for cosmetic purposes. At times, hair dyes can causes a severe allergy which is usually localised – only affecting the skin of the head. This is known as allergic contact dermatitis. In other instances, the use of a hair dye can have systemic effects – affecting the entire body. A systemic reaction to hair dye is not common but can be quite severe if it occurs.
Contact lens are a popular eye product, both for correcting visual disorders and cosmetic purposes. South Africa has recently seen a flood of cheap contact lens hitting the market, both prescription lens and colour cosmetic lens. Most of these products are imported from developing countries like China, India and Pakistan and are not always safe to use.
Skin lightening creams have been a popular cosmetic product in South Africa for many decades and are still widely used for its skin bleaching effects. Also known as skin whitening creams, these applications are available from street vendors and cosmetic counters at chain stores, supermarkets and pharmacies across the country. However a lack of regulation has allowed some skin whitening blends to impregnate toxic compounds in their formulation, leading to a number of skin disorders when used over a long period of time. While the public is aware of the dangers of these skin products, sales of skin lightening creams continue to dominate the cosmetic market.
