Introduction
Fighting the effects of aging on the outside; your guide to the risks of cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures
Trying to fight the effects of aging? Below is a basic guide to the risks involved in both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. For more information on each procedure, click on the highlighted links of the procedure.
Cosmetic Procedures: Surgical
Breast Augmentation: Breasts are enlarged by placing an implant behind each breast.
Risks:
- implants can rupture, leak, and deflate
- infection
- hardening of scar tissue around implant, causing breast firmness, pain, distorted shape, or implant movement
- bleeding
- pain
- nipples may get more or less sensitive
- numbness near incision blood collection around implant/incision
- calcium deposits around implant
- harder to find breast lumps and to see breast changes on a mammogram
- in rare instances, implants can cause anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) - a rare cancer of the immune system
Breast Lift - Extra skin is removed from the breast to raise and reshape breast.
Risks:
- scarring
- skin loss
- infection loss of feeling in nipples or breast
- nipples put in the wrong place
- breasts not symmetrical
Breast Reduction - Fat, tissue, and skin is removed from breast.
Risks:
- if nipples and areola are detached, may lose sensation and decreased ability to breastfeed
- bleeding
- infection
- scarring
- harder to find breast lumps
- poor shape, size, or position of nipples or breasts
- if nipples and areola are detached, may lose sensation and decreased ability to breastfeed
- bleeding
- infection
- scarring
- harder to find breast lumps
- poor shape, size, or position of nipples or breasts
Eyelid Surgery: Extra fat, skin, and muscle in the upper and/or lower eyelid is removed to correct "droopy" eyelids.
Risks:
- blurred or double vision
- infection
- bleeding under the skin
- swelling
- dry eyes
- whiteheads
- can't close eye completely
- pulling of lower lids
- blindness
Facelift: Extra fat is removed, muscles are tightened, and skin is rewrapped around the face and neck to improve sagging facial skin, jowls, and loose neck skin.
Risks:
- infection
- bleeding under skin
- scarring
- irregular earlobes
- nerve damage causing numbness or inability to move your face
- hair loss
- skin damage
Facial Implant: infection feeling of tightness or scarring around implant shifting of implant
Risks:
- infection
- feeling of tightness or scarring around implant
- shifting of implant
Forehead Lift: Extra skin and muscles that cause wrinkles are removed, eyebrows are lifted, and forehead skin is tightened.
Risks:
- infection
- scarring
- bleeding under skin
- eye dryness or irritation
- impaired eyelid function
- loss of feeling in eyelid skin
- injury to facial nerve causing loss of motion or muscle weakness
Lip Augmentation: Material is injected or implanted into the lips to create fuller lips and reduce wrinkles around the mouth.
Risks:
- infection
- bleeding
- lip asymmetry
- lumping
- scarring
Liposuction: Excess fat from a targeted area is removed with a vacuum to shape the body.
Risks:
- baggy skin
- skin may change color and fall off
- fluid retention
- toxic shock
- infection that requires antibiotics or additional surgery
- burning
- fat clots in the lungs
- pain
- damage to organs if punctured
- numbness at the surgery site
- heart problems
- kidney problems
- disability
- death
Nose Surgery: Nose is reshaped by resculpting the bone and cartilage in the nose.
Risks:
- infection
- bursting blood vessels
- red spots
- bleeding under the skin
- scarring
Tummy Tuck: Extra fat and skin in the abdomen is removed, and muscles are tightened to flatten tummy.
Risks:
- blood clots
- infection
- bleeding
- scarring
- fluid accumulation under the skin
Quick GuideCosmetic Surgery: Before and After Photos of Cosmetic Surgeries
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:
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
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SOURCE: The National Women's Health Information Center (www4woman.gov) Last update: 5/19/2005
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Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
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Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing involves directing concentrated pulsating beams of light at irregular skin. This procedure may be used to reduce wrinkles, blemished, or acne scars. There are two types of lasers commonly used in laser resurfacing: carbon dioxide and erbium. Treated areas heal in 10-21 days. Possible complications include milia, hyperpigmentation, and swelling.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat that is difficult to get rid of with diet and exercise. Liposuction does not prevent weight regain. Liposuction has a good safety record; risks of the procedure include infection and skin discoloration.
Mohs Surgery
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Moles
Moles are small skin growths that may appear flat or raised and are often tan, brown, black, reddish brown, or skin colored. They are typically about the size of a pencil eraser. There are three types of moles. Monthly skin self-exams are essential in the early detection of abnormal moles and melanomas.
Oral Cancer
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Sclerotherapy
The procedure to eliminate varicose veins and spider veins is called sclerotherapy. Generally a salt solution is injected directly into the vein. The solution irritates the lining of the blood vessel, causing it to swell and stick together, and the blood to clot. After a period of time, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades from view.
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