There are articles and advertisements online, in print and on television everyday talking about the latest device, product or technique that will get you fast results for cheap. This extends from the most extensive surgeries, like a facelift to smaller treatments like a facial or noninvasive laser. Most of the claims should be taken with at least a grain of salt, but some shortcuts and claims could lead to more serious complications like hospitalization and corrective surgery. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is – exercise caution.

Facials, creams and potions

Snails, bird poop and gold are just a few things that have made headlines on ingredients for anti-aging treatments that focus on good skincare recently. Here are a collection of articles discussing these strange fads and alternatives like microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels.

Latest skincare fad: Live snails? http://www.surgery.org/consumers/plastic-surgery-news-briefs/latest-skincare-fad–live-snails-1051640

Study: Gold in your skincare products accelerates aging http://www.surgery.org/consumers/plastic-surgery-news-briefs/study–gold-skincare-products-accelerates-aging-1050891

Will bird poop facials take off as a new skincare fad? http://www.surgery.org/consumers/plastic-surgery-news-briefs/bird-poop-facials-skincare-fad-1051852

Lunchtime facelifts

There are many ways to lift a face and some patients do well with a mini-lift with minor incisions and a quick recovery, but most of this cannot be achieved over an hour lunch. Injectables and skin resurfacing treatments is more appropriate for that time frame. See some patient safety articles that can spurn some good conversations with patients.

3 questions to ask before committing to plastic surgery http://www.surgery.org/consumers/plastic-surgery-news-briefs/3-questions-committing-plastic-surgery-1051507

Lifestyle Lift changes national ads after probe http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/06/18/lifestyle-lift-plastic-surgery-florida-attorney-general-settlement/2434697/

Branded Surgery Is Not Always the “Quick Fix” it is Advertised To Be http://www.surgery.org/media/news-releases/branded-surgery-is-not-always-the-quick-fix-it-is-advertised-to-be

Illegal injections

Perhaps the most alarming trend is the increase in illegal injections of potentially toxic and unverified products from unlicensed individuals due to the popularity of buttock augmentations and Botox. It seems like there’s a news story every week about the arrests of these unscrupulous criminals who prey on vulnerable patients who do not have the resources and information to make better decisions. Share these stories as a cautionary tale and let patients know how they can make the best choice for their situation.

Mother-daughters arrested for illegal Botox injections http://www.surgery.org/consumers/plastic-surgery-news-briefs/mother-daughters-team-arrested-illegal-botox-injections-1051679

Putting the medical end of your medispa under the microscope http://www.surgery.org/consumers/plastic-surgery-news-briefs/putting-medical-medispa-microscope-1051338

Woman sought for administering plastic surgery without a license http://www.surgery.org/consumers/plastic-surgery-news-briefs/woman-sought-administering-plastic-surgery-license-1051106