Within the U.S., it is legal for any doctor, regardless of specialty, to perform cosmetic surgery. It is thus important to distinguish the terms "plastic surgery" and "cosmetic surgery": Plastic Surgery is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties as the subspecialty dedicated to the surgical repair of defects of form or function -- this includes cosmetic (or aesthetic) surgery, as well as re constructive surgery. The term "cosmetic surgery" however, refers to surgery that is designed to improve cosmetics, or appearance. In several countries including Australia, many doctors who are not qualified as surgeons also perform cosmetic procedures
The most prevalent aesthetic/cosmetic procedures are listed below. Most of these types of surgery are more commonly known by their "common names." These are also listed when pertinent.
* Abdominoplasty (or "tummy tuck"): reshaping and firming of the abdomen
* Blepharoplasty (or "eyelid surgery"): Reshaping of the eyelids or the application of permanent eyeliner, including Asian blepharoplasty
* Mammoplasty
o Breast augmentation (or "breast enlargement" or "boob job"): Augmentation of the breasts. This can involve either saline or silicone gel prosthetics.
o Breast reduction: Removal of skin and glandular tissue. Indicated to reduce back and shoulder pain or for psychological benefit in women with macromastia.
* Buttock Augmentation (or "butt augmentation" or "butt implants"): Enhancement of the buttocks. This procedure can be performed by using silicone implants or fat grafting and transfer from other areas of the body.
* Chemical peel: Minimizing the appearance of acne, pock, and other scars as well as wrinkles (depending on concentration and type of agent used, except for deep furrows), solar lentigines (age spots, freckles), and photodamage in general. Chemical peels commonly involve carbolic acid (Phenol), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), glycolic acid (AHA), or salicylic acid (BHA) as the active agent.
* Mastopexy (or "breast lift"): Raising or reshaping of breasts. Involves removal of breast skin as opposed to glandular tissue.
* Labiaplasty: Surgical reduction and reshaping of the labia
* Rhinoplasty (or "nose job"): Reshaping of the nose
* Otoplasty (or ear surgery): Reshaping of the ear
* Rhytidectomy (or "face lift"): Removal of wrinkles and signs of aging from the face
* Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (or liposuction): Removal of fat from the body
* Chin augmentation: Augmentation of the chin with an implant (e.g. silicone) or by sliding genioplasty of the jawbone.
* Cheek augmentation
* Collagen, fat, and other tissue filler injections (e.g. hyaluronic acid)
* Laser skin resurfacing
