To get the lowdown we spoke to leading cosmetic beauty consultant Wendy Lewis to find out about the treatments you should be wary of when it comes to turning back time. There's not much Wendy doesn't know about the cosmetic industry and as a consultant we know her advice is coming from the right place.
Here's her list of what not to book in for...
Fixed Fillers
Fillers might seem like a fairly normal procedure in these days of lunchtime Botox and the ever coveted plumped up pout, but if you're looking to fill stubborn lines there are definitely some things to keep in mind:
All dermal fillers carry some risk, but to avoid extra risks, steer clear of permanent facial fillers like polyalkylimide and silicone gel. The side effects can include prolonged swelling, lumps near the injection site, and infections. A good benchmark is to find out if the filler you are going to have is approved or at least is in the pipeline for approval by the US Food & Drug Administration that has very high standards for safety.
Also be careful about having injections of any filler or fat around the delicate eyelid area. Although the tear trough can be treated and lasts well, this is a tricky area and should only be undertaken by an expert injector with a lot of experience. Hyaluronic acid gels are the most commonly used fillers for the eyelid area - Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero and others - and widely considered the safest.
Pesky Promotions
There's no getting away from it - cosmetic treatments are usually pricey - but leaping at discount deals isn't always a good idea. Yes, it might be kinder on your bank balance, but when it comes to your face and body do you really want to take the risk?
Stay away from Groupon discounts from unknown clinics and local medispas that offer cheap deals on Botox. You may not get what you think you are getting, and they may be over diluting the neurotoxin so it won’t last long enough. I have had clients who ended up with a droopy eyelid from taking up these deals and they were sorry.
Look Before You Laser
It seems like everyone knows someone who swears by laser hair removal or laser skin treatments (hello Jennifer Aniston) but that doesn't mean they'll work for you. Make sure you do your research before you get lasered - or you might regret it.
If you have darker skin - be very careful about having any laser treatments like hair removal and skin resurfacing except from highly qualified doctors. Darker skin types are more at risk for skin darkening and skin lightening. There are some systems that are safe for all skin tones, but many are not and can cause long term or permanent side effects.
The Stem Cell Face Lift
An all-natural way to turn back time? The perfect combination of science and beauty? Sounds a bit too good to be true, right? That's because it is. As Wendy says...
There is no such thing as a "stem cell facelift". This typically means combining fat injections and/or PRP with facial surgery. Don't expect to get facelift-like results from fat injections or PRP alone. If you have a sagging neck, this may not be the ideal treatment for you.
Hormonal hazard
If you've been tempted to try hormone injections, it might be worth thinking twice. Here's why...
Human growth hormone injections carry many risks. Used in the wrong doses, there is a risk of heart disease, diabetes and other serious conditions. HGH is widely sold on the Internet and through anti-ageing clinics. If you are keen to start on a course of this hormone therapy, you need to be monitored closely by a proper doctor to be safe.
Lift With Care
A bit of nip and tuck can take years off your face, but there are some lifting and snipping cosmetic operations that can actually risk leaving you with visible scars, which kinda defeats the object of looking better than before. The following operations have been identified by Wendy as having an added risk of visible scarring - something to consider before you book in for surgery.
Cheiloplasty (lip lift done with an incision at the vermillion border of the upper lip); direct browlift (lifting the eye brows by making an incision directly in the brow itself), z-plasty necklift (the surgeon makes a z-shaped incision down the neck to reduce excess skin).
If you're considering a cosmetic treatment or a surgical procedure, there are some vital questions you should ask your practitioner first. Check them out here.
Got another treatment to miss to add to the list? Tweet us @sofeminineuk
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