Ellen DeGeneres once said, “Beauty is about being comfortable in your skin. It’s about knowing and accepting who you are.” However, human beings are seldom satisfied with their appearance. The dissatisfaction explains why the cosmetic surgery industry has been booming in the US. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, approximately 18 million surgical procedures annually occur in the United States.
Several cosmetic procedures that enable humans to change their appearance, from breast augmentation to eyelid surgery, are becoming increasingly common. Psychologists and surgeons performing these surgeries fear that people aren’t fully aware of the potential risks of these medical procedures. People need to understand that cosmetic surgeries are risky and need to be taken seriously.
What can you do to minimize cosmetic surgery risks?
Experts advise several pre-surgery precautionary measures to safeguard people from experiencing medical complications of the procedure. Some common suggestions include:
- Minimize Alcohol Consumption
- Do not use Topical Agents
- Discontinue Taking Anti-Inflammatory Medicine
- Avoid Unprotected Sunburn, Laser Exposure, or Radiation Therapy
- Do not Wax or Shave the Treatment Area
- Avoid Blood-Thinning Agents
Did you know that cosmetic surgeries can pose unintended physical, emotional and cultural side effects if the tips mentioned above aren’t taken seriously? To educate you further, here is a list of popular cosmetic surgeries and their adverse consequences you need to beware of:
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Fillers and Injectables
Botox, Juvéderm, Restylane, and Dysport are popular examples of fillers and injectables people use to reduce anti-aging effects and look young. However, these fillers and injections often contain harmful foreign substances like silicon that damage people’s faces, breasts, buttocks, genitals, or abdomen. Often when people are unhappy with their cosmetic procedures or want to opt-out of them, they book an expert for silicone injection removal appointments to restore their health, comfort, and beauty using safe techniques. Some common medical complications of this cosmetic surgery procedure include:
- Swelling
- Lumps
- Facial Disfigurement
- Gel Dislocation
- Respiratory Distress
- Abscesses
- Deformities
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Micro-needling
Micro-needling can be best described as a derma roller procedure to treat skin scarring, wrinkles, and large pores. Experts use tiny needles to inject small amounts of collagen throughout the skin tissue so new collagen is generated and skin tissue grows smoother, firmer, and more toned. Micro-needling produces fast results, and people can recover from the procedure in no time. Most micro-needling processes can be completed in 15 – 20 minutes. Some common medical complications of this cosmetic surgery procedure include:
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Pigment Problems
- Infections
- Hematoma
- Nerve Damage
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PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Treatment
PRP injections are becoming increasingly popular for a variety of cosmetic reasons, ranging from sports injuries to hair loss prevention. The cosmetic procedure is widely known as ‘vampire facial’ because it deals with human blood. Small amounts of blood are extracted from various body parts (usually your arm or thigh). The extracted blood is then inserted into a centrifuge to separate plasma from the platelets. The separated platelets are then injected into the surgical area to heal the skin and repair tissue. Some common medical complications of this cosmetic surgery procedure include:
- Blood Clotting
- Skin Discoloration
- Allergic Reactions
- Blood vessels and Nerve Injury
- Inflammation
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Fat Grafting
Fat grafting is mostly used to smooth or increase the size of another body part (commonly breasts and buttocks). Surgeons extract fat cells from your arms, thighs, or legs to conduct the cosmetic procedure. The cells are then injected into parts where treatment is needed. People commonly order a fat grafting procedure to fill in sunken cheeks or plump their lips. Fat grafting is regarded as one of the safest cosmetic surgeries because your fat cells are used to enhance your appearance. Moreover, the process doesn’t involve any major surgery. Some common medical complications of this cosmetic surgery procedure include:
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Cellulitis
- Contour Deformity
- Cystic Lesions
- Disfigurement
- Encapsulated Fatty Masses
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Chemical Peels
Chemical peels have gained significant popularity over the years. People are now investing in at-home chemical peel products to achieve results similar to expert cosmetic clinic appointments. Chemical peels can be described as acids applied on the skin to exfoliate top layers to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone, texture, and resiliency. People mostly use chemical peels to exfoliate the skin on the face and neck to reveal a smoother, radiant skin texture and complexion. Some common medical complications of this cosmetic surgery procedure include:
- Infection
- Scarring
- Burns
- Intense Erythema
- Flaky Skin
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Rhytidectomy
Rhytidectomy can be described as a facelift in simpler terms – a cosmetic surgery procedure that restores skin’s youthful appearance by removing several layers of skin. Surgeons normally extract sagging skin and fat deposits to deliver a tighter and smoother result. The most common parts of the body people like to lift are the face, neck, and eyelids. Some common medical complications of this cosmetic surgery procedure include:
- Hematoma
- Nerve injury
- Anesthesia reaction
- Infection
- Scarring
- Skin/hair loss
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Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries favored by women over 50. The medical procedure allows people to look younger by enhancing their facial symmetry to enjoy a boost of self-confidence. Rhinoplasty majorly deals with improving the appearance of the nose. The nasal reconstruction procedure alters your nose by a surgical operation to enhance facial harmony. According to Harvard Health, nearly 220,000 rhinoplasties are performed yearly, making this cosmetic surgery procedure extremely popular. Some common medical complications of this cosmetic surgery procedure include:
- Breathing difficulty
- Scarring
- Septal perforation
- Skin necrosis
Conclusion
Several studies have suggested that cosmetic surgery complications are rare. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry when looking to invest in popular cosmetic procedures. Educate yourself about the cosmetic surgery process and the possible adverse consequences mentioned above to minimize their occurrence. Experts also suggest that sharing all important information with your doctor before the cosmetic surgery can help you counter the risk of unwanted side effects. Good luck improving your physical appearance safely!
