Mercola Natural Health Blog

Cosmetic procedures have always been a source of big money, especially in the U.S., where people do all sorts of things to their bodies all the time. Americans spent roughly $14 billion on cosmetic procedures in 2007 alone. Nearly 12 million cosmetic surgeries were performed that year, compared to 8 million at the start of the decade.

The trend is just astounding. Media exposure on cosmetic surgery, including reality television shows like Extreme Makeover and The Swan, may have inspired millions to undergo face and figure enhancements. Finance companies are even allowing people without health insurance to try the available cosmetic procedures.

Yes, "vanity medicine" (if it can be called medicine at all) is showing no signs of slowing down. People who go under the knife or try non-surgical enhancements usually believe these cosmetic procedures will make them happier, healthier and more beautiful, and that they're safe. But we actually know less about the intricate workings of the human body than we'd like to believe, and that includes doctors, health professionals and scientists.

Natural health physician Joseph Mercola is no beauty expert but he believes that beauty and optimal health are side effects of a healthy and well-rounded lifestyle. For Dr. Mercola, there are no shortcuts and magic pills. Sure, there are so many cosmetic procedures out there offering to enhance your outside appearance but their potential dangers are just as many.

According to Mercola, here are the six cosmetic procedures you should avoid:

1. Botox - Did you know that Botox (Botulinum Toxin Type A) is actually a purified form of a deadly bacterium called Clostridium botulinum, which causes severe and sometimes fatal food poisoning? Botox paralyzes your facial muscles to get rid of wrinkles. If administered improperly, the patient could end up with droopy eyelids or a surprised, frowning or otherwise undesirable expression. Botox side effects include flu-like symptoms, nausea, pain, respiratory problems, difficulty swallowing or allergic reactions, and even death. There is also the problem of counterfeit drugs. Counterfeit Botox, in particular, is extremely dangerous because it is not processed and purified according to appropriate standards, and can paralyze or kill the patient.
   
2. Liposuction - It removes only about 10 pounds of fat after four hours of dangerous surgery and has the highest fatality rate of any elective surgery. Recovery is also long and painful.
   
3. Laser Hair Removal - Because this treatment disables your hair follicles, you could get scarred for life if done improperly. Also, it doesn't remove all the hair and might only last for a couple of years.
   
4. Body Piercing - A lot of people consider this as an enhancement but piercing delicate areas in your body like your tongue, nipples and genitals can chip your teeth, increase your risk of allergies, interfere with breastfeeding and increase the risk of spreading STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). Another less obvious problem is the disruption of your body's subtle energy flow.
   
5. Bariatric Surgery - These are surgical procedures done to treat the effects of obesity by modifying the gastrointestinal tract to reduce nutrient intake or absorption. Over 40 percent of these surgeries result in major complications within six months, such as diarrhea or hernia.
   
6. Skin Whitening - Beware: some topical whiteners contain mercury, which causes nerve and kidney damage, while others contain hydroquinone, a carcinogen that blotches your skin which is banned in Europe.

For Mercola, beauty is a result of following one of the basic tenets of optimal health - maintaining a healthy weight by eating healthy food, doing exercise and having a healthy lifestyle. That is a permanent truth and the strategies to achieve it will not change, regardless of what modern science and conventional medicine comes up with.