If I promised you that I can make you look young forever, would you believe me?
Probably not entirely… but you might want to believe me. That’s why the anti-aging industry is booming. We’re living in an age of Instagram filters, high-definition selfies, and influencers who look like they haven’t aged since high school. No wonder people everywhere—from college grads to grandparents—are chasing smoother skin and brighter eyes.
Globally, the anti-aging industry has experienced unprecedented growth, with non-invasive treatments becoming increasingly mainstream. As people seek to maintain youthful appearances without surgical interventions, the safety profile of these therapies has become a paramount concern.
As a plastic surgeon deeply invested in patient well-being, my goal in this blog is to shed light on the safety, effectiveness, and real risks of anti-aging interventions. Let’s cut through the hype and help you make informed choices about your face, body, and long-term health.
What are Anti-Aging treatments and what do they do?
Anti-aging treatments slow down signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, loose and sagging skin, hyperpigmentation, and reduced skin elasticity.
Broadly, anti-aging treatments can be categorized into 3 categories:
- Non-invasive : No needles, no downtime. Think creams, serums, and peels
- Minimally invasive: A little poke here, a little zap there. (Includes Botox, Dermal fillers, Energy based devices – Lasers, intense pulsed light, ultrasound – Ultherapy, Microneedling, PRP, Chemical peel, Thread-lift)
- Invasive: Big results, Bigger recovery. (Includes Facelift, Browlift, Blepharoplasty – Eyelid surgery, Liposuction)
Each category comes with its own mechanism, benefits, and risk profile.
Further elaborating on the most common treatments and their safety profile
Botox and Dermal Fillers: Top of the charts, most dangerous territory
Botox and dermal fillers are among the most performed anti-aging therapies worldwide. Both reduce wrinkles and restore youthful contours. But due to lack of government regulations, these are routinely done by unqualified practitioners and can sometimes cause life-threatening side effects.
Botox (Botulinum Toxin)
Mechanism of Action: Temporarily causes muscle paralysis; reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
Risks: Bruising, asymmetry, drooping eyelids or eyebrows, headaches, rare allergic reactions. Rare systemic side effects when the toxin spreads beyond the intended treatment areas.
- Botulism and Death: In documented cases, Botox administered in doses 20-30 times higher than recommended has caused botulism, in which the respiratory muscles also get paralyzed and can be fatal.
- Facial Paralysis: Improper injection techniques can cause permanent facial asymmetry, drooping eyebrows, and uneven smiles.
Dermal Fillers
Mechanism of Action: Provide soft tissue augmentation and have a bio-stimulatory effect on collagen and elastin. Provide temporary improvement as they are generally absorbed by the body.
Risks: Bruising, swelling, lumps, infection.
- Most Serious Side Effect: Vascular Occlusion and Blindness: Incorrectly placed dermal fillers can block blood vessels, leading to tissue death or permanent blindness.
- Counterfeit Products: Illegal or impure fillers carry severe risks, highlighting the need for reputable providers.
- Patient Selection: Not everyone is a candidate. Those with autoimmune disorders, allergies, or certain medical histories may be advised to avoid injectables.
Energy-Based Devices: Lasers, Light, and Ultrasound
These therapies target skin laxity, tone, and texture by stimulating collagen production.
Laser Resurfacing: Can treat wrinkles, scars, and pigmentation. Risks include burns, scarring, infection, and prolonged redness. Nowadays, lasers are being performed at home/ beauty parlours. Inappropriate settings can cause burns, permanent hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. Some of these complications can be irreversible.
IPL and Radiofrequency: Less invasive, effective for mild signs of aging, but may cause skin discoloration or burns if performed incorrectly.
Ultrasound (Ultherapy): Non-invasive lifting with minimal downtime. Side effects are rare but can include swelling, bruising, or nerve injury.
Minimally Invasive Procedures: “Lunchtime” treatments with real risks
Microneedling: Creates controlled micro-injuries to stimulate your skin’s natural repair processes. Infection, scarring, or pigment changes may occur with unsterile technique or improper device depth.
PRP (“Vampire Facial”): Uses your own blood plasma. Safety depends on sterile technique and appropriate patient selection.
Chemical Peels: Effective for exfoliation, work on deeper layers of skin. If an incorrect peel is chosen for a particular skin type or if peel is left longer than necessary, it can cause burns, permanent hypo/hyperpigmentation and scarring.
Surgical Anti-Aging: Gold Standard
Procedures like facelifts, neck lifts, or eyelid surgery deliver dramatic, long-lasting results. However, they demand anaesthesia and carry the full spectrum of surgical risks:
- Infection
- Bleeding or hematoma
- Nerve injury
- Scarring
- Unsatisfactory cosmetic outcome
A board-certified plastic surgeon is essential for optimal safety and aesthetic results.
Latest Anti-Aging treatments: These are AI-driven with greater focus on Customization
Exosome Therapy: These are cellular messengers that deliver growth factors and genetic material deep into the skin. When combined with techniques like microneedling, exosome therapy promotes collagen production, improves skin elasticity, reduces wrinkles, and accelerates cell turnover.
Hybrid Lasers and AI-Driven Customization: Hybrid lasers blend ablative and non-ablative lasers for comprehensive skin rejuvenation. AI now helps providers personalize settings based on your skin type, enhancing safety and results.
Nanotechnology-Driven Serums: Enhanced penetration into skin and delivery of active ingredients for powerful, targeted anti-aging effects.
What is the Real Price that you are paying for supposedly “Cheap” Anti-Aging treatments?
- Spending Extra “MONEY,” Time and Energy in Case of Complications: Correcting complications is significantly harder and takes longer to treat when compared to the original problem. Recovery in such cases can take anywhere from months to years.
- Permanent Damage: Some complications, including scarring, nerve damage, vascular injury can be irreversible and can cause permanent sequelae. Example: fillers placed incorrectly around eyes can cause blindness.
What I’ve Learned About Safety?
Through treating complications and seeing both successes and failures, several key principles have emerged:
Provider credentials matter more than marketing. The most beautifully designed clinic with the most aggressive advertising may not house the most qualified practitioners. Always verify your provider’s medical training, board certifications, and specific experience with your desired treatment.
Your medical history is crucial. I’ve seen patients withhold information about medications, previous procedures, or health conditions that directly impact treatment safety. Complete honesty with your provider isn’t just recommended—it’s essential for your safety.
Realistic expectations prevent disappointment. The most satisfied patients I’ve treated are those who understood what the procedure could and couldn’t accomplish before we began. No treatment can stop aging entirely or transform you into someone else
The Bottom Line
- Anti-aging therapies can slow the visible march of time, but none deliver “eternal youth”.
- Devices and injectables can help but must be handled carefully.
- New therapies should be approached with both curiosity and caution.
The best approach to slow down aging is to have a holistic lifestyle with focus on sun protection, regular exercise, eating healthy, avoiding stress and regular check-ups.
Dr. Shruti. K. Somani
+91-7742354711
shrtsomani@gmail.com
IAAPS no: 2025/ND/120
Disclaimer : The opinions here are personal views of the authors. IAAPS is not responsible. All members may not have the same scientific view point
