Plastic Surgery (Cosmetic Surgery) (cont.)

Cosmetic Procedures: Non-Surgical

Botox Injection: Botox is injected into a facial muscle to paralyze it, so lines don't form when a person frowns or squints.

Risks:

• face pain
• muscle weakness
• flu-like symptoms
• headaches
• loss of facial expression
• droopy eyelids
• asymmetric smile
• drooling

Collagen/fat Injection: Collagen from a cow or fat from your thigh or abdomen is injected into facial wrinkles, pits, or scars.

Risks:

• trigger an autoimmune disease
• contour problems
• hives
• rash
• swelling
• flu-like symptoms

Dermabrasion: A small, spinning wheel or brush with a roughened surface removes the upper layers of facial skin. A new layer of skin appears during healing, giving the face a smoother appearance. Used to treat facial scars, heavy wrinkles, and problems like rosacea.

Risks:

• abnormal color changes
• whiteheads
• infection
• allergic reaction
• fever blisters
• cold sores
• thickened skin

Hyaluronic acid injection: This gel is injected into your face to smooth lines, wrinkles, and scars on the skin.

Risks:

• swelling
• infection
• redness
• tenderness
• acne
• lumps
• tissue hardening
• risks unknown if used in combination with collagen

Laser hair removal: Laser light is passed over the skin to remove hair.

Risks:

• hair regrowth
• scarring
• change in skin color

Laser skin resurfacing: Laser light is used to remove wrinkles, lines, age spots, scars, moles, tattoos, and warts from the surface of the skin.

Risks:

• burns
• scarring
• change in skin color
• infection
• herpes flare-up (fever, facial pain, and flu-like symptoms)

Sclerotherapy: A solution is injected into spider and varicose leg veins (small purple and red blood vessels) to remove the veins.

Risks:

• blood clots
• color changes in the skin
• vein removal may not be permanent
• scarring

Chemical Peel: A solution is put onto the face (or parts of the face) that causes the skin to blister and peel off. It is replaced with new skin.

Risks:

• whiteheads
• Infection
• raised scarring
• allergic reaction
• cold sores
• color changes or blotchiness
• heart problems

Tooth Whiteners (peroxide agents): Depending on the product, either you or the dentist applies peroxide using strips; a mouth guard with gel; or a tray inside your mouth around your teeth

Risks:

• If not customized for you by a dentist or dental hygienist, there may be unknown ingredients and unknown results

Source: The National Women's Health Information Center (www4woman.gov)

Last Editorial Review: 5/19/2005