Lunchtime Cosmetic Procedures

Biorejuvenation/mesotherapy

Cost: Around £150 per treatment (at least 3 are recommended)
How and why: A treatment that really gets under your skin, micro-injections are used to deliver hyaluronic acid (biorejuvenation), or vitamins and antioxidants (mesotherapy) straight into the mesodermal (middle) layer of the skin. Popular for faces, decolletage and tops of hands.
Time factor: 30-45 minutes
Pros: Biorejuventation plumps out skin from the inside, so aims to work with your body.
Cons: May cause temporary swelling, redness and bruising but make-up should cover it. Controversy still surrounds the safety of mesotherapy because the effects of many of the substances used are still unknown. Hyaluronic acid (biorejuvenation) is the only substance considered safe. Effects last around 3 months.
Pain factor: 1/10 (smaller needles mean less pain)

Laser treatments

Cost: £60-£1,500 depending on what you're having treated £40-£400 for IPL hair reduction (per session) depending on area treated
How and why: The Star Wars of gravity warfare, lasers claim to remove tattoos and hair, fight acne, blemishes and ageing. Ablative lasers burn off surface layers of skin (like a deep peel) and involve longer recovery times. Non-ablative lasers (used to minimise wrinkles, increase collagen production, tighten skin and remove hair, tattoos and thread veins) won't damage the skin's surface.
Time factor: 15-45 minutes. Hair reduction may take several sessions. Recovery time also varies depending on the treatment.
Pros: Can treat a wide variety of problems No more grappling with a razor or shrieks from the bathroom with an epilator after IPL hair reduction.
Cons: Pain and swelling (like sunburn) is common after laser treatments. The closer to the skin's surface the treatment is, the more redness and swelling will occur. Skin lightening or darkening can occur if not used properly or your practitioner is inexperienced. IPL hair reduction holds similar risks, plus some frazzled hair may remain and results vary (particularly poor on fairer hair).
Pain factor: 4/10 (feels a bit like an elastic band snapping against your skin)

Teeth whitening

Cost: £40 for one tooth-£500 for your whole mouth
How and why: Whitening gel is inserted into a mould made of your mouth, which you then wear for anything from 30 minutes to overnight. This bleaches and permanently whitens teeth.
Time factor: One or two appointments over several weeks
Pros: That whiter-than-white smile
Cons: Repeated bleaching near silver-coloured (amalgam) fillings can give teeth a greenish colour near the filling. Front teeth that are thin may turn darker with bleaching. Gums and teeth can become more sensitive.
Pain factor: 1/10 (supposed to be painless but depends on teeth and gum sensitivity)

Holistic face-lift

Cost: £50-£65 per session
How and why: If your wrinkles have got you frowning but you don't fancy having the signs of surgery etched into your face, a holistic face-lift may be more your thing. Chinese practitioners believe that the flow of the body's motivating energy, 'qi', diminishes with age, causing skin quality to deteriorate. Using massage techniques and acupuncture needles, qi is stimulated to improve skin condition and appearance.
Time factor: 45-60 minutes (up to 6 treatments)
Pros: It's not just a pretty face you'll leave with - working holistically means healthier skin too.
Cons: Varying results and little conclusive evidence that it works. Mild bruising can occur where the needle's been inserted. Repeat appointments are necessary.
Pain factor: 1/10 (pin-prick discomfort as the needle's inserted)

Choosing your practitioner
Many of the risks involved in treatments come down to how good your practitioner is. Bodies like BAAPS (www.baaps.org.uk), the Health Care Commission (www.healthcarecommission.org.uk) and The Consulting Room (www.consultingroom.com) can help you find a good one.