From the beginning of time, like it or not, a person’s outward appearance has played a role in how we feel about ourselves and how we are perceived by others. In the past few decades, cosmetic procedures to improve one’s personal appearance have been growing in popularity. However, since these procedures are surgical, and there are risks involved, the patient should be well informed about the cosmetic procedure that he or she is interested in having. 

Cosmetic surgery by definition means the enhancement of a person’s appearance through medical and surgical techniques. Some of the most common types include botox, laser hair removal and breast augmentation. These procedures do come with risks, but when performed correctly; they can have a positive impact on the patient’s overall appearance and more importantly, self- confidence.

Botox is a cosmetic procedure which is becoming more popular with each passing year. This procedure is normally performed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles above and between the eyebrows. It is done in a doctor’s office where the patient will have injections of botulism placed directly into the tissue beneath the skin.

The botulism temporarily paralyzes the muscles around the area which then immediately reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Unlike other cosmetic procedures, there is no recovery time for this.

The effects of the procedure usually last between 3 and 4 months. Many choose to have this done several times a year for a more youthful appearance.

Some of the side effects that have been reported include, dry mouth, pain in the injection site, fatigue, headaches, neck pain, blurred vision, and swelling of eyelids.

On rare occasions, some patients have allergic reactions to the procedure. This can be rash, itching, welts, wheezing, dizziness or fainting. If any of these reactions occur, the patient should immediately seek medical help.

This is a cosmetic procedure that utilizes photothermolysis. With this method, the laser beam is able to target the hair follicle without damaging the surrounding tissue.

In this procedure, melanin, the pigment which causes hair growth is burned and killed, thus leaving the follicle unable to produce hair. This effect is permanent, making laser hair removal a very popular form of cosmetic surgery.

The procedure may be performed on any part of the body including face, legs, arms and bikini area. Because of the harmful ultra-violet light being used, both the patient and the technician must wear the appropriate eye protection. Depending on the amount of hair being removed, the procedure may take between 15 minutes to an hour.

After the treatment, the patient is given ice packs as well as anti-inflammatory lotions or creams to help relieve any discomfort. Most patients need a few treatments to completely get rid of the targeted hair growth. These treatments are spaced out in increments of four to six weeks. On average, the cost of each treatment is $430 per session.

Another popular cosmetic procedure is breast implant surgery. Women may choose to have this performed for reconstruction purposes after having a mastectomy, for correcting congenital defects, or just to enhance their appearance with larger breasts.

In less common instances, implants are used for creating breasts in male to female transsexual patients. In general, there are two different types of implants used in this surgical procedure; silicone implants and saline implants.

The most popular type used is the silicone implant. They are now made from a cohesive gel which has proven to be safer and more efficient than the type used in previous years. Patients who have this type report a natural look and feel to the breasts.

These gel implants are pre-filled before implantation therefore requiring a bigger incision. For this reason, patients choose to have their incision beneath the breast or in the armpit. Many women choose gel implants because of the fact that they are virtually undetectable inside the breast tissue. Saline implants are typically inserted through the armpit or through an incision around the nipple.

After insertion, the doctor fills the sac with the saline. This makes the size more controllable so that the end result can appear more natural. Another advantage of saline implants is that if there are any leaks post-surgery, the saline solution is harmless to the body. However, some report that their saline implants aren’t as natural in appearance as that of silicone implants. Many patients are willing to accept this disadvantage in exchange for the peace of mind that she has received a safer type of implant that carries no risk of leaking dangerous toxins into her body.

Developing oversized breasts is a medical condition known as hypertrophy. This can occur during puberty or many years after a woman has finished developing. It often happens to women during pregnancy and then continues to worsen once she has given birth.

Although some women are not bothered by this, some develop pain in the breasts and sometimes severe back problems due to the added weight of the breasts. For this reason, many choose to have breast reduction surgery.

The best candidates for this procedure are women whose breasts interrupt their daily activities. In many cases, the patient’s health insurance will cover the procedure. Because this surgery is fairly extensive, the recovery time is between four and six weeks. However, there may be significant swelling around the breast tissue for several months.

Some of the risks of breast reduction surgery are infection in or around the incisions, bleeding, and adverse reaction to the anesthesia. The patient must stay in the hospital for at least 24 hours following the surgery.

Having a cosmetic procedure is a popular choice for many people across the globe. For the most part, we would all love to look our best so that we may present ourselves accordingly. It is essential that when considering any form of surgery that the patient thoroughly research every aspect of his or her surgical choice. Once the patient is fully informed, that will be the time to proceed with their elective surgery.