Nigerian aesthetic experts warn women: Prioritise safety over trends
Medical and aesthetic professionals have warned Nigerian women to prioritise safety when considering cosmetic procedures, citing rising health risks from unregulated practices and unqualified practitioners. The warning came during a Zoom session organised by CGE Healthcare for the 2026 International Women’s Day, attended by PREMIUM TIMES. Panelists including Dr Chidinma Akpa (CGE Healthcare), Emelda Rufai (Maison Valor), Tosin Ajibade (OloriSuperGal), and Onyeka Michael-Ugwu (Hello Perfect Aesthetics) stressed that the growing acceptance of aesthetics has attracted providers focused on profit, not patient care.
Dr Dinma advised women to scrutinise practitioners: check regulatory certificates, assess clinic environment, ensure detailed risk disclosure, and question high complication rates. She urged embracing subtle, natural results rather than exaggerated trends to avoid complications like fat leakage from BBL procedures. “Beauty should be about personal alignment, not pressure,” she said, adding decisions should empower, not conform.
Michael-Ugwu highlighted a shift toward holistic wellness—linking skincare, diet, mental health, and regenerative approaches—moving away from homogeneous aesthetics. She noted future practice will prioritise skin integrity over injectables, with qualified medical professionals leading care.
The core message: verify practitioner credentials, understand risks, and choose subtle enhancements for long-term safety.