The iVillage guide to cosmetic surgery

How it works: For perfect pouts, temporary injectables like collagen, hyalurionic gel or even your own fat are injected or threaded into the lip. The most common procedure needs no anaesthetic and involves injecting collagen into the upper lip to achieve what's known as the 'Paris lip'. The other injectables involve a more complex procedure, using a threading technique with a needle and performed under local anaesthetic. Results last up to six months, but to maintain 'the look' you'll need another injection after that.

For permanent results, you can opt to use your own tissue. Extracted from a tendon in your wrist or mouth, or even from leftover skin from another operation you're having (some people will book in for a whole cocktail of ops in one go), the tissue will then be threaded into the lip. Other permanent alternatives include using a substance called Artecoll.

Effects and side effects: Risks of this type of procedure include infection from the needles, as the mouth is a difficult area to keep thoroughly clean. Also, your own fat may not 'take', and you could get lumpy results or a 'rubberised' effect - which leaves you with more of a plastic than a perfect pout.

Laser resurfacing

How it works: It may sound very James Bond and state-of-the-art, but laser treatments are, in fact, becoming less popular than they once were. 'For all-over facial rejuvenation, peels are now more common than laser treatments, as the recovery time is quicker. Lasers are deeper and more aggressive, and skin can be a red colour for up to three months afterwards. But, they're ideal for smaller areas that need more intensive treatment,' says Dr. Percival.

During a treatment, the laser will be passed over your face, burning the skin in small circular motions, and most procedures will involve two or three passes to make sure the skin is evenly treated. For all-over facial resurfacing, you'd need a general anaesthetic. But, according to Professor Sharpe, you may well be glad to miss the smell of your own burning flesh. For smaller areas, a general anaesthetic won't be needed.

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