Lost amid a story from earlier this week about criminal charges connected to a Burnaby skin care clinic was an unfortunate health situation.
Fraser Health issued a warning to anyone who received high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) vaginal tightening services at Fab Skin Care in Burnaby to seek screening for sexual transmitted infections immediately. People were told to visit their doctor “as soon as possible” to be screened for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
“Fraser Health public health was made aware that this business was not providing these services through a registered health professional and was not using appropriate infection control measures while providing these services,” stated a health authority news release sent out within minutes of the police release.
The story - and the warning - offers a stark reminder about getting health procedures at places that might not be qualified to do so.
This story reminded me of another NOW story from 2019 in which a Burnaby beauty business was ordered to stop posing as a doctor and providing medical procedures, like Botox injections.
Now, Fraser Health has ordered Fab Skin Care to stop performing the procedure and is monitoring compliance with its order, the release said.
The beauty industry should be looked at differently than a medical industry. Customers need to rigorously check credentials and research qualifications. Otherwise, you could end up having to rush to your doctor to get screened for dangerous STIs.
But health authorities should also look at increasing the number of inspectors is employs to proactively investigate companies making health claims and offering such procedures. I doubt it’s hard to find those advertising them.
“Members of the public should be aware that, under the BC Health Professions Act, only certain registered health professionals may perform services involving intravaginal devices or intravaginal examinations,” stated the Fraser Health release. “If a personal service establishment is using intravaginal devices, ask if their services are performed by a registered health professional.”
Health officials warned sexually transmitted infection can be asymptomatic for long periods of time and a positive test result on screening doesn't necessarily mean they contracted it at Fab Skin Care.
Fraser health warned people waiting for test results to take steps to prevent potential exposure to others, including wearing a condom when having sex.
For more information, visit https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/sexual-health or call 8-1-1 for questions about your health or to speak with a public health nurse.
Anyone distressed or worried about someone else, can call the Fraser Health Crisis Line at 604-951-8855 or 1-800-820-7444.
- With additional reporting by Cornelia Naylor
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
