Cosmetic Treatment Safety
Read the list of complications from the smallest item up: a bruise, some swelling, a change in skin color. The American Academy of Dermatology says the complications dermatologists treat after cosmetic procedures include bruising, changes to a person's skin color, burns, infections, scars, swelling and "frozen" facial expressions.
The American Academy of Dermatology says cosmetic treatments may look easy to perform, but having one done safely requires in-depth medical knowledge of the skin and what lies beneath. When the person performing a procedure lacks that expertise, the American Academy of Dermatology says complications are more common. Its page on whether red light therapy is right for your skin shows what a safety review of a single treatment looks like.
The first question for any treatment
Begin with the question that applies to every treatment: who will perform it, and where. The American Academy of Dermatology says patient safety is dermatologists' number one priority and recommends that consumers ask a set of questions before any cosmetic procedure.
Setting matters too. The American Academy of Dermatology says laser results depend largely on the skill of the person performing the procedure, and that the limited training, supervision and equipment in non-medical settings such as spas and shopping malls may jeopardize your health and safety.
Device labels need a careful read. The American Academy of Dermatology explains that FDA cleared tells you nothing about how effective a device is, and only means the device is considered safe.
Your age is a fair question to ask. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that the risk of a serious complication was about the same between younger and older patients in the research it describes, with one exception: those 65 and older who had a tummy tuck developed more serious complications than younger patients. Its page on whether cosmetic procedures are safe for people 65 and older has the detail.
Each procedure also carries its own list. Cleveland Clinic says thread lift complications tend to be uncommon and can include allergic reactions, bleeding, infection, and pulling or lumpiness. Cleveland Clinic also says scarring, although rare, may occur in laser-treated areas.
Red light, cryotherapy and the questions to ask
- Is Red Light Therapy Worth It: Weighs the goal, the evidence and the full cost of red light therapy before you commit.
- Questions to Ask Before Cosmetic Treatment: The questions to put to a provider before booking any treatment.
- Whole Body Cryotherapy Skin Hazards: The American Academy of Dermatology says the FDA has not cleared or approved whole body cryotherapy as safe or effective to treat any medical condition. The page looks at the hazards to skin.
Read the questions page first, since it applies to every treatment, then the page on the one you are considering. Write down what you find and ask a qualified clinician to answer in plain terms.