Cosmetic surgery could pose potential health threats

Cosmetic surgery could pose potential health threats

Since the dawn of time we humans have been a vain bunch. Records dating back thousands of years depict an abundance of information dedicated to appearances improvement.

However, while today’s beauty treatments are regulated under a whole host of stringent measures – the potions and lotions of yesteryear were far less safe – and in actual fact; often lethal.

Here are some of the most popular:

Deadly Nightshade

Sparkling dilated eyes were highly desired by the Elizabethans who followed the Italian trend of adding drops of Deadly Nightshade (or Belladonna) to their eyes. 

Unfortunately prolonged use caused blindness, which was far less attractive.

Stibnite

Otherwise known as kohl, the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Persians used this to accentuate their eyes, but again this often eventually destroyed their vision.

Modern dermatologists now actually believe the use of kohl in this form lead to irritability, insomnia and mental problems.

Tattoos

Possibly one of the oldest known body altering processes known, tattoos date back to about 60,000BC.

Popular among various cultures, geographic regions and time periods they were (and still aren’t) without their health risks.

Even today unsterilised equipment can lead to HIV, hepatitis and allergic reactions.

Lead

Another popular Elizabethan look was porcelain white skin. This was achieved by piling on a white lead and vinegar mixture all over the face, neck and bosom.

Overuse corroded the skin away, leaving the user with painful holes, but if that wasn’t enough it was also linked to madness and infertility and eventually death if lead got in the bloodstream.

In fact its most famous user, Elizabeth I, damaged her skin so much from using it she banished all mirrors from her castles and palaces.

What’s most remarkable is the procedure was actually started by the ancient Greeks and Romans hundreds of years before. Clearly not much was learnt from the intolerable pain and maiming lead caused.

Mercury

After you had your white face sorted, the next step was to give colour to your lips and cheeks. The Elizabethans achieved this by piling on mercuric sulfide (vermilion) another toxic compound.

Mercury, of course, can lead to several diseases, and eventually death.

Cosmetic surgery

It’s easy to reflect and think how far-fetched some of these treatments seem – but we only have to look at today’s beauty market to see we are still willing to risk our health to quench our thirst for beauty.

Since 1962, when the first boob job took place, the demand for a lift here and a tweak there has been unstoppable.

However, cosmetic surgery can be lethal and famous victims include Kanye West’s mother and James Brown's wife.

There are no official figures on the amount of people who die after undertaking cosmetic surgery, (most patients are treated privately), but with risks of heart attack, haemorrhage, infection, or blood clot, every year people die from unnecessary procedures all in the name of vanity.

Seems even now we are not adverse to a potentially lethal beauty treatment after all.

Lima Curtis writes about health and beauty matters for various sites including eye care site Lasik Eyes.