These days, there’s no need to go under the knife to achieve a youthful look.
In recent years, the advent of ‘tweakments’ – minor procedures that transform your face without downtime or eye-watering costs – have revolutionized the aesthetics industry, popular with celebrities and high-profile figures.
But now, one of America’s leading plastic surgeons has warned that the risks of said procedures are too-often underestimated.
They are not necessarily safer than the surgical equivalent, and can even be more dangerous – leading to permanent facial disfigurement.
Here, plastic surgeon Dr Anthony Youn, a favorite on TikTok and on TV shows including Today, Good Morning America, and Fox News, has outlined his beauty blacklist – the treatments he would never recommend.
Some are dangerous, while others are simply a waste of money as they make no difference.
In his new book, Younger for Life, he says: ‘Unfortunately, doctors are performing them every day in their offices and ORs, but I would like my readers to be informed about what to avoid. Buyer beware!’
1. Fillers made with anything other than hyaluronic acid
More than 2.6 million Americans get injectable fillers in their face every year; designed to add volume to areas like the lips and cheeks, and smooth out bumps and lines in the nose.
Most are made with hyaluronic acid – an ingredient that occurs naturally in the body and is a main component of skin structure that is generally considered to be safe.
But Dr Youn says fillers that are often used today contain chemicals other than hyaluronic acid, some of which can be dangerous as they are not easily dissolved.
‘The most dreaded complication from injectable fillers is intravascular occlusion,’ said Dr Youn.
‘This is when filler is accidentally injected into a blood vessel, specifically an artery, causing that artery to become clogged.
Dr Anthony Youn is TikTok’s favorite plastic surgeon, thanks to his holistic approach to aging
Jennifer Aniston (left) and Gwyneth Paltrow (right) are both rumored to be fans of mesotherapy – but the procedure comes with considerable risk
‘Any tissue that is supplied blood by that artery can become ischemic, where there isn’t enough blood flow to survive. In that situation the area can literally turn black and the tissue dies.’
It’s a rare – but horrific – complication that has, in some cases, caused people to lose parts of their lips, nose, and even go blind.
‘Hyaluronic acid fillers have a natural antidote, an enzyme called hyaluronidase,’ he explains.
‘This enzyme can dissolve HA filler in as little as a handful of seconds.
‘If you get an intravascular occlusion, then it could re-establish the blood flow by dissolving that HA filler.
‘If the filler isn’t an HA filler, there is no antidote and you just might be screwed.’
2. Thread lifts
Thread lifts are sold as a fast-track way to get the same age-defying results achieved from a full face-lift.
The procedure involves lifting sagging, ageing skin using temporary stitches, which pull the face tight.
While thread lifts are not ‘inherently dangerous’, according to Dr Youn, they could be a complete waste of money.
The results are short lived – lasting only between six and 12 months.
‘I don’t believe they are inherently dangerous, but they are extremely expensive for what you get,’ he says.
Thread lifts are extremely expensive and the results are not worth the investment, says Dr Youn – you’re better just going for a real facelift
Dr Youn adds: ‘Doctors performing this procedure must be honest and up front with you [about the results], but I fear that many are not.’
When it comes to bang for your buck, you’re better going for a real facelift – which has proven results and much better longevity.
3. ‘Lunchtime face-lifts’
Don’t fall for this bogus marketing gimmick, warns Dr Youn.
‘The term is usually used to describe a mini-lift done surgically, often under local anesthesia. Scars are made around the ears and a small amount of skin is removed, sometimes with some minor muscle tightening and liposuction.
‘Some doctors advertise them as revolutionary, less invasive operations in order to fool people into having them done. In reality, they are just smaller versions of what most real plastic surgeons do, with a smaller result yet often the same length scars.’
Some people report a minor improvement, but in general they rarely result in a noticeable change. Again, there are no short cuts and this is another occasion when only a real facelift will do.
4. Mesotherapy
Also known as ‘biorejuvenation’, this treatment is essentially injections of various substances, including plant extracts and multivitamins, which are said to improve the appearence of skin.
Stars including Gwyneth Paltrow, Katy Perry, Cara Delevingne, Jennifer Aniston and Rihanna have all been reported to be fans of the procedure. Some who offer it claim it can also melt fat.
But Dr Youn describes the ingredients in the injections as ‘a witch’s brew cocktail of various caustic substances.’
He continues: ‘Every doctor injects different amounts of these varying substances.’
Worst case scenario with mesotherapy? ‘Your fat is still there but your skin is a lumpy mess with draining sinus tracts and oozing infection’
However, the risks include lumpiness, granulomas (inflammatory nodules), infection, and skin necrosis (tissue death).
Worst case scenario? ‘Your skin is a lumpy mess with draining sinus tracts and oozing infection.
‘The only injection that is proven safe to melt fat is Kybella. Everything else – be wary of the risks.’
5. Carboxytherapy
‘In this treatment a practitioner injects carbon dioxide through a needle under the skin of the face, eyelids, or other areas. The belief is that the CO2 will cause the body to bring more oxygen to the area, improving the appearance,’ says Dr Youn.
People have claimed all manner of benefits, including reduction of eye bags, tightening of skin, improvement of cellulite, and removal of wrinkles – all of which are completely unproven, says Dr Youn.
‘Although the procedure appears to be safe, there is absolutely zero scientific evidence to show it works or does anything except make your wallet smaller.’
Dr Youn believes Meg Ryan may have had lip implants – but insists no patient who has had this procedure has been able to consistently pass the Kiss Test
Lisa Rinna, 57, star of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills, admitted to having silicone implanted in her lips, before eventually opting to remove it.
6. Lip implants
‘Lip implants can be made of various substances, ranging from silicone rubber to silicone filled with saline to even cadaver skin. All of them, however, give you the same result – stiff looking lips.’
The lips, he says, are some of the softest tissues of the body, and no implant has ever been able to consistently pass the Kiss Test – when you pucker up and it feels like the real thing.
‘It feels like you’re kissing a spare tire. The best ways to enhance the lips are injectable fillers, fat injections, or the Botox lip flip.’ The latter is when Botox is injected just above the top lip, relaxing the muscles and making the lip appear fuller.
He points to Real Housewives star Lisa Rinna, who admitted having lip implants long ago, before getting them removed.
And adds: ‘Although not confirmed, I believe Meg Ryan may have had lip implants placed as well (I’m not her doctor).’
8. Hyaluron pen
This at-home lip-plumping device could be the quickest way to get lumpy or scarred lips, warns the doctor.
‘The hyaluron pen is a handheld device that uses pressurized air to push medication into the body, such as lip filler.’
‘The problem is that it’s not very accurate in the placement, since it’s pushing this substance with a burst of pressurized air. Also, there is no control over how deep the filler goes, so in certain cases you can get lumpy lips, and in other cases you can get intravascular occlusion and a dead lip.’
Younger for Life: Feel Great and Look Your Best with the New Science of Autojuvenation by Anthony Youn is published by Hanover Square Press
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