In 2007, nearly 10 million nonsurgical cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States; this is almost five times the number of elective cosmetic surgery procedures performed during this time. In fact, the number one most common surgical cosmetic procedure in women (breast augmentation) is only ninth on the list of most common cosmetic procedures performed on women. Not surprisingly, more women than men underwent nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. This is the third in our series of features on cosmetic procedures and lists the top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed on women in 2007 – the most recent year for which data are available. Few people will be surprised that Botox tops the list. The number of women in the U.S. who underwent each procedure in the year 2007 appears in parentheses.

The top 5 nonsurgical cosmetic procedures among American women are:

1. Botox (2,445,656)
2. Hyaluronic Acid (wrinkle smoothing; 1,364,533)
3. Laser Hair Removal (1,226,974)
4. Microdermabrasion (743,748)
5. IPL Laser Treatment (removal of skin imperfections; 584,530)

Cosmetic procedures are, by definition, elective and are therefore not required for your health. While the overall risks of such procedures are relatively low, serious and life-threatening complications can occur such as allergic reactions and clotting problems.

If you are thinking about undergoing any cosmetic procedure, make sure that you find a surgeon is certified in his or her specialty by an appropriate board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. It may also be a good idea to be evaluated by your regular physician for any predisposing characteristics that might increase your risk of complications during a cosmetic procedure.

For more information on cosmetic procedures, join the Healia Health Community for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. If you have a question about a cosmetic procedure, Ask The Experts at Healia Health Communities.

Related Blog Posts: The Top 5 Cosmetic Surgery Procedures among American Women
The Top 5 Cosmetic Surgery Procedures among American Men

_{Source: The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2007 Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank-Statistics, 2/07. http://www.surgery.org/download/2007stats.pdf}