The advent of technology has given rise to a number of cosmetic procedures that can be done in the comfort of your own home. However, there are still some procedures that must be done in a professional setting.
Looking to get a cosmetic procedure done?
We know you want to look and feel your best, and we want to help you do just that. With our comprehensive guide to the most popular cosmetic procedures, you can make an informed decision about which part is best for you. Plus, we have all the information you need about the procedures and how much they will cost.
Contents
- Top 10 Cosmetic Procedures Done In The US
- FAQs About Risks and Side Effects Associated with Cosmetic Procedures
- Final Thoughts
Top 10 Cosmetic Procedures Done In The US
Cosmetic procedures started getting popular in the early 2000s and continue to grow in popularity. As a matter of fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons mentioned quite a lot. But here are the top 10 cosmetic procedures done in the US:
1. Botox Injections
Botox is a popular cosmetic procedure that can be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It is most commonly injected into the forehead, around the eyes, and on the sides of the mouth. The results are not forever though and must be redone every 3-6 months to keep your wrinkles at bay.
Botox can be administered by physicians (such as plastic surgeons and dermatologists), physician assistants, dentists (yes, dentists!), and nurse practitioners (who you will likely find at a med spa).
Botox Cost
Botox is measured in units and normally costs around $10 to $15 per unit. An average dosage of Botex is around 30 units making the average cost of Botox to be $300 – $450 per treatment.
Botox Recovery Time
There is no recovery time required for Botox although your provider may tell you to not lay down for several hours. They suggest you stay upright for up to 4 hours after the botox injection procedure.
2. Liposuction
Liposuction (also known as lipo, lipoplasty, lipectomy, and liposculpture suction) is a cosmetic procedure that can be used to remove excess fat from the body. It is most commonly performed on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and the area some affectionately call their “muffin top”.
Liposuction procedures use a combination of a cannula (which is a hollow tube) and an aspirator (which is a suctioning device) to literally “suck out” fat cells for a localized (targeted) area of the body. Liposuction permanently removes these fat cells from your body, but if you gain weight in the future, it is possible that the fat cells will return.
Liposuction Cost
The average cost of liposuction is $3000 per treatment, but this also depends on whether you have local (just numbing of the procedure area) or general anesthesia (you are put out during the procedure). A local anesthetic can be administered at a plastic surgeon or dermatologist’s office, whereas a general anesthetic will most likely need to be done in an outpatient surgery setting.
Liposuction Recovery Time
There will be some swelling the day of the procedure but results will be seen almost immediately after the swelling has gone down. You will likely have stitches in place where the cannula was inserted, and that area will likely be sore for a few days. The doctor may recommend (or even provide) a girdle for you to wear until the stitches are taken out. The stitches will likely stay in for a week, and then you will be ready to buy a new swimsuit to show off your sculpted body!
3. Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation (also known as a “boob job” or augmentation mammoplasty) is a cosmetic procedure that can be used to increase the size and shape of the breasts. It is most commonly performed on women who are unhappy with their breast size or who have lost volume in their breasts after pregnancy or those who have had a single or double mastectomy after battling breast cancer (or to prevent breast cancer). A breast lift may also be performed at the same time if sagging breasts is a problem for you.
Breast Augmentation Types
There are different types of breast augmentation to consider.
Saline Breast Implants
Saline breast implants are shells filled with sterile saltwater. If the implant leaks, the implant will collapse and your body will absorb and naturally expel the saline. Sale breast implants offer a uniform shape and feel firm. Saline breast implants are FDA-approved for those 18 and older.
Structured Saline Breast Implants
Structured sale breast implants are basically the same thing as saline breast implants except they contain an additional inner instruction that makes the implant feel less firm and more natural.
Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Silicone breast implants are filled with silicone gel and feel more like natural breast tissue. If this implant leaks, the implant shell will not collapse, and the gel may stay in the implant shell or escape into the breast implant pocket. Your plastic surgeon may suggest an ultrasound or MRI every so often to make sure the implants are still functioning properly.
Gummy Bear Breast Implants
Gummy bear breast implants use a thicker silicone gel than traditional silicone gel breast implants which also makes them firmer. These require a longer incision in the skin and if the implant rotates, it may appear unusual requiring another procedure to correct. So far, I’m not sold on these!
Fat Transfer
Fat transfer is just what you think – they transfer fat cells (via liposuction) and inject them into your breasts. This would be offer natural results. Personally, I don’t recommend this method as I asked my dermatologist about this method, and his response was “the fat cells will always find their way home”.
Breast Augmentation Cost
The average cost of breast augmentation is $5000 per treatment, but this also will vary depending on the type of breast implants you decide on.
Breast Augmentation Recovery Time
You will likely go home with drainage tubes that you can conceal under a big sweatshirt or sweater. I know women who go out to dinner the same day as receiving breast implants! Removal of the drainage tube and stitches to hold it are usually removed within 5 days to a week. Your breasts will also be swollen for a bit, so wait until the swelling subsides before getting measured for a new bra at Victoria’s Secret!
4. Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a cosmetic procedure that can be used to remove excess skin from the upper and/or lower eyelids.
Eyelid surgery is most commonly performed on people who have wrinkles or sagging skin around their eyes.
Eyelid Surgery Cost
The average cost of eyelid surgery is $2500 per treatment. Eyelid surgery may be covered by your health insurance if the procedure is deemed medically necessary. Your ophthalmologist, eye doctor, or eye doctor must recommend the eyelid operation and submit a pre-authorization to your medical insurance for approval.
Eyelid Surgery Recovery Time
The recovery period for eyelid surgery ranges from a few days to a week.
5. Tummy Tuck Surgery
Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is a cosmetic procedure that can be used to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen.
Tummy tucks are most commonly performed on people who have loose skin around their stomachs (childbearing does this for a lot of women) or those who have had dramatic weight loss either through diet and exercise or a previous weight loss surgery.
Tummy Tuck Surgery Cost
The average cost of tummy tuck surgery is $5000 per treatment, but the price will go down dramatically if you combine this cosmetic procedure with another procedure. The most popular combination cosmetic surgery today is the “mommy makeover” which includes a variety of procedures done at the same time.
Mommy Makeover Surgery
The most common cosmetic procedures included in a Mommy Makeover surgery are tummy tuck, breast augmentation, and liposuction, but may also include a labiaplasty. breast lift, and a Brazilian butt lift. The combination cosmetic surgery is dubbed the “mommy makeover” as it helps women regain their pre-pregnancy body shapes.
Tummy Tuck Surgery Recovery Time
You will likely go home with a drainage tube or two that you can conceal under a pair of sweatpants. Removal of the drainage tube(s) and stitches to hold the tube(s) are usually removed within 5 days to a week. The pain is similar to having a Cesarean delivery (C-Section), but the scar (and therefore pain) will be longer. If you have had a previous C-Section, they will likely use the same incision line (but make it longer). To ease the pain of a tummy tuck, you will probably wear a girdle after the procedure
6. Facelift Surgery
Facelift surgery (rhytidectomy) is a cosmetic procedure that can be used to remove excess skin and fat from the face. It is most commonly performed on people who have wrinkles or sagging skin around their faces.
Facelifts work best on people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s when the signs of aging start to become prevalent. People over 70 are safe to get facelifts as well, as safety depends on one’s situational factors and not age.
Facelift Surgery Cost
The average cost of facelift surgery is $8000 per treatment. This does not include anesthesia and operating room fees. Facelifts do not include eye or brow lifts but can be done at the same time for an additional cost.
Facelift Surgery Recovery Time
Facelift surgery recovery time is typically two weeks.
7. Rhinoplasty Surgery
Rhinoplasty surgery (also known as nasal reconstruction or a nose job) is a cosmetic procedure that can be used to change the shape of the nose.
Rhinoplasty is most commonly performed on people who are unhappy with the appearance of their noses but can also be done to improve breathing or both.
Rhinoplasty Surgery Cost
The average cost of rhinoplasty surgery is $5000 per treatment. If rhinoplasty is considered medically necessary to improve breathing, your medical health insurance should cover the cost.
Rhinoplasty Surgery Recovery Time
The recovery time for rhinoplasty surgery varies. There will be some dark purple, blue or black bruising within the first few days. By day 5 or 6, the bruising should lighten up and turn brown, green or yellow. Bruising should subside within two weeks after surgery. There may also be some swelling that can possibly take a couple of months to resolve. Most people who have had rhinoplasty are normally back to most activities after a week and back to all activities after two to 4 weeks.
8. Chemical Peel Treatment
Chemical peel treatment (also known as dermapeeling or chemexfoliation) is a cosmetic procedure that can be used to remove the outer layer of skin from the face, neck or hands. It is most commonly performed on people who have wrinkles or sun damage on their faces.
During a chemical peel treatment, the professional will first thoroughly clean your skin. They will then apply one or more chemical solutions to your skin. The solution creates a controlled wound that allows new skin to take it’s place.
Types of Chemical Peel Solutions
- Carbolic Acid (phenol)
- Glycolic Acid
- Lactic Acid
- Salicylic Acid
- Trichloroacetic Acid
Chemical Peel Treatment Cost
The average cost of chemical peel treatment is $500 per treatment. Lights peels can cost as little as $150, and deep chemical peels can cost upwards of $3,000 or more if anesthesia is required. A licensed esthetician can perform light and moderate chemical peels, and only licensed physicians (such as dermatogists) can perform deep chemical peels.
Chemical Peel Treament Recovery Time
During the actual chemical peel treatment, most people will feel a burning sensation that lasts approximately 5 to 10 minutes and then will feel a stinging sensation.
Right after your chemical peel, your skin will feel tight and may be reddish. Peeling may occur for a few days depeding on the type of chemical peel but can be controlled with moisturizer. Full recovery time for a chemical peel is under a week, but peels may need to be repeated regularly.
9. Dermabrasion Treatment
Dermabrasion treatment is a cosmetic procedure that can be used to remove the outer layer of skin from the face. It is most commonly performed on people who have excessive acne and/or scarring on their faces.
Dermabrasion is similar to chemical peels as it is a skin-resurfacing procedure, but dermabrasion uses rapidly rotating device that sands the outer layers of your skin. Microdermabrasion is a less invasive procedure that doesn’t go as deep and doesn’t produce as dramatic of results. Only a trained plastic surgeon or dermatologist can perform a dermabrasion.
Dermabrasion Treatment Cost
The average cost of dermabrasion treatment is $1500 per treatment. Microdermabrasion is less expensive, but in this case, you get what you pay for.
Dermabrasion Treatment Recovery Time
After dermabrasion, the treated area will be red, sensitive and slightly swollen. Swelling will go down within a few days up to a week. You skin tone may take up to three months to full return to normal.
10. Laser Hair Removal Treatment
Laser hair removal treatment is a cosmetic procedure that can be used to remove unwanted hair from the body. It is most commonly performed on the face, neck, chest, and back, but can also be done on your legs, in the bikini area and under the arms (arm pits).
If you are sick of tweezing, shaving and waxing to get rid of unwanted hair, laser hair removal treatment may be an option to consider. The laser zaps concentrated light into your hair follicles. The pigment in your hair follicles absorbs the light, and that destroys the hair.
Laser Hair Removal Treatment Cost
The average cost of laser hair removal treatment is $500 per treatment and may take several treatments.
Laser Hair Removal Treatment Recovery Time
You may have some slight swelling, bruising, and/or redness after a laser hair removal treatment, but those side effects should diminish within 38 to 73 hours.
While most of these procedures are done for aesthetic reasons, some can also be done for medical reasons, such as correcting a birth defect or repairing damage from an accident.
You must be worried about the possible outcome of a cosmetic procedure, but worry not as here are some frequently asked questions on the possible risks and side effects of cosmetic procedure:
FAQs About Risks and Side Effects Associated with Cosmetic Procedures
Q: What are the risks associated with breast augmentation surgery?
A: The risks associated with breast augmentation surgery include infection, bleeding, and scarring. There is also a risk that the implants may rupture or leak.
Q: What are the risks associated with tummy tuck surgery?
A: The risks associated with tummy tuck surgery include infection, bleeding, and scarring. There is also a risk that the surgery may cause damage to the surrounding organs.
Q: What are the dangers of undergoing a facelift operation?
A: The risks associated with facelift surgery include infection, bleeding, and scarring. There is also a risk that the surgery may cause damage to the nerves or muscles in the face.
Final Thoughts
While there are risks associated with any cosmetic procedure, these risks are typically minor and can be easily avoided by choosing a qualified surgeon. When done correctly, cosmetic procedures can be safe and effective ways to improve your appearance. And if we’ve veered you away from plastic surgery, click here for ways how to look younger without cosmetic surgery.
Thank you for reading! We hope this article was helpful.
