A public inquiry into cosmetic surgery has heard that 39 complaints have been made against one cosmetic surgeon in Victoria.

Victoria's Health Services Commissioner Beth Wilson says medical authorities are investigating the surgeon.

Commissioner Wilson told the Sydney-based inquiry complaints about cosmetic surgery range from dissatisfaction with the outcome to severe infection and genital mutilation.

She has criticised cosmetic surgery advertising in her State, saying advertorials appear weekly in the press with aggressive, misleading and persuasive messages.

She has also raised concern about the overuse of antibiotics in cosmetic surgery.