Duke Medicine: Pleasing proportions

Cosmetic surgeries and skin rejuvenation treatments were once considered the exclusive domain of Hollywood stars and the wealthy. Now such procedures are increasingly sought out by people from all walks of life, including those of modest means or over age 65.

The number of cosmetic procedures performed in the United States has increased by 446 percent in the past ten years alone. About 1.9 million Americans had some type of cosmetic surgery in 2006; about 9.5 million more opted for a non-surgical procedure such as Botox injections or chemical peels -- for a total cost of some $12.2 billion.

Unfortunately, the money wasn’t always spent wisely. Cosmetic procedures, performed by experts after extensive, candid consultation, can dramatically improve patients’ lives. But cosmetic surgery’s boom in popularity has also been a boon for practitioners who may lack skill, scruples, or both -- with less than ideal results.