As we get older and fatter, it seems like the world's obsession with being young and ultra-thin only grows. Especially for women, it's impossible to keep up with what society (read: Hollywood) tells us we should look like.
But we try. Boy, do we ever try! We buy thousands of skin and makeup products. We watch what we eat. We work out. And some of us opt for cosmetic surgery to lend a hand. As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing wrong with using cosmetic surgery to look better and feel better about yourself. After all, when so many men say they want a gorgeous twenty-something on their free internet dating profiles, sometimes you feel like you've got to try something.
But when cosmetic surgery becomes dangerous, it's a whole other story.
Almost any cosmetic procedure carries with it some risk of complications. But some surgeries are far worse than others. What to slim down or look sexier? Read of for four popular cosmetic surgeries or procedures that you should never consider.
Lipodissolve.
Liopdissolve really sounds too good to be true. That's because it is! The idea of this procedure is that a chemical injected under the skin will literally melt away the fat deposits there. The material, called lipostabil, has the ability to dissolve fat. But that's not all it does. This mixture, which has not been approved for use by the FDA, can also dissolve skin and cause pain, swelling, and lumps. When used incorrectly (and sometimes correctly) Lipodissolve can also create weird hills and valleys in the contours of your skin. Not very sexy.
Because of its danger, Lipodissolve has even been banned in many countries. In the countries where it is legal, most reputable cosmetic surgeons hope it won't continue to be legal for long.
Permanent Facial Fillers.
You know those actresses (Meg Ryan and Nicole Kidman, I'm talking about you) who suddenly show up with newly plumped-up duck lips that seem to slowly fade over time? These ladies have temporary fillers and plumpers injected into their skin. Temporary fillers, which plump up lips and fill in wrinkles, are generally considered safe by the cosmetic surgery community, as they fade over time. But permanent fillers are not. Permanent fillers, including silicone, might seem attractive to some users, as they simply pay once for a permanent change. But they also come with a huge potential for complications.
When not done correctly, permanent filler injections can create all kinds of uncomfortable, unattractive, and unhealthy complications. Even when the injections are administered perfectly, people who have received permanent fillers can have those fillers bind with their flesh, or even see the fillers drift over into other areas of their face.
Rear-End Implants.
This is probably something you've seen on an internet dating profile a time or two: many men are obsessed with perfectly round, perfectly firm rear ends. But not everybody was born with a toned, round bubble butt-- and no matter how you work out, getting one is impossible if you weren't born with that kind of behind. Which is why buttock implants are getting more and more popular.
Rear-end implants are kind of like breast implants, except that the silicone used is a solid slab rather than a soft gel. But getting these implants carries with it risks that you don't see with breast implants. For one thing, the location of the incision (near the anus) gives patients a greater risk of infection. Also, as the implants themselves are located in an area that tends to have a lot of weight and pressure on it (after all, you sit on it, right?), many people who receive buttock implants report problems in the years after their surgery.
Permanent Makeup Tattoos.
You get up in the morning and your eyebrows look perfectly groomed. Your eyeliner is done and ready to go, and even your lips have the perfect amount of pretty color. Sounds great, right? But permanent makeup isn't all its cracked up to be. Styles and preferences change with the years, but permanent makeup is forever. Just as with any tattoo, sometimes the effect of permanent makeup just isn't what the patient imagined. And even when it's picture-perfect, a large number of women who opt for this treatment later wish they could have it removed. Unfortunately, though, the removal of tattooed makeup is very difficult. Because it is tattooed on some of the most delicate skin on the body (the lips and eyelids, for example), removal is painful and even with multiple treatments it can sometimes be impossible to remove it all.
