Cosmetic Treatment Safety
The American Academy of Dermatology states that cosmetic treatments have risks like any other medical procedure, but you can reduce your risk by asking the right questions beforehand. Safety, in other words, starts before the treatment does, and a reader can judge a provider partly by how well they answer.
Guides by stage of the decision
Before you book
- Questions to Ask Before Cosmetic Treatment is the checklist guide for readers about to schedule.
Trends and add-ons to look at carefully
- Unsafe Skin Care Trends to Avoid is for readers following what is popular online.
- Is Red Light Therapy Worth It is for readers weighing a common add-on.
- Whole Body Cryotherapy Skin Hazards is for readers considering cold-exposure treatments.
A short safety checklist
The questions below put that approach into practice: ask first, decide second.
- Who will perform the treatment, and are they licensed to do it?
- Has that person examined me before recommending anything?
- What are the risks of this specific treatment for me?
- What does a finished result look like, and what happens if I am not satisfied?
Whether a treatment fits is confirmed by a licensed provider who has examined you. For the full list of questions, the Academy's page on the best questions to ask when considering a cosmetic treatment goes further than this summary.
Where to go from here
Read the questions guide before you book anything. If you are comparing add-ons, move on to the trend and therapy guides. The American Academy of Dermatology also publishes broader cosmetic safety guidance, and a separate page on cosmetic procedures for older adults for readers in that group.