Cosmetic plastic surgery is becoming ever more popular and perhaps also increasingly confusing.

The drive for perfection has given rise to an emerging industry; a new form of medicine and best of all a renewed hope for those who feel uncomfortable with their looks.

With a vast array of options to consider when contemplating any form of treatment, it's always prudent to research your options.

To help get you started, here is a list of common, plastic cosmetic surgery and non-surgical treatments:

1. Abdominal Etching - similar to liposuction, a small amount of fat is removed and the abdomen is shaped or sculpted to create a more athletic look.


2. Abdominoplasty - also known as a tummy tuck - removes excess fat and skin in the mid and lower abdomen.


3. Acne Scar Treatment


4. Ambulatory Phlebectomy - treatment of varicose veins


5. Anti-Wrinkle Injections


6. Aptos Threading


7. Areola Reduction


8. Belly Button Reshaping


9. Blepharoplasty - eyelid surgery


10. Body Contouring


11. Body Implants


12. Breast Asymmetry


13. Breast Enlargement - also known as Breast Augmentation and informally a boob job


14. Breast Implant Removal


15. Breast Implant Replacement


16. Breast Implant Revision


17. Breast Implants


18. Breast Lift


19. Breast Liposuction - also known as the scar-less breast reduction technique


20. Breast Reconstruction


21. Breast Reduction


22. Brow Lift


23. Burn Surgery


24. Buttocks Augmentation - for asymmetry or just more volume


25. Calf Implants


26. Capillary Removal


27. Cellulite Reduction


28. Cheek Augmentation - to emphasize cheeks on the face


29. Cheek Reduction


30. Cheekbone Reduction


31. Chemical Peel


32. Chin Implants


33. Coblation - controlled, non-heat radiofrequency


34. Collagen Injections


35. Contour Thread Lift


36. Cosmetic Acupuncture


37. Cosmetic Dermatology


38. Craniofacial Surgery


39. Dermabrasion - removes the surface of the epidermis to reduce fine wrinkles and scars


40. Dermal Fillers


41. Diathermy


42. Earlobe Reduction


43. Endoscopic Abdominoplasty


44. Endoscopic Breast Augmentation


45. Endoscopic Brow Lift


46. Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS) - treatment for excessive sweating


47. Endovenous Vein Techniques


48. Face Lift


49. Facial Dermabrasion


50. Facial Implants


51. Fat Transfer


52. Genioplasty - chin reshaping


53. Gynaecomastia - male breast reduction


54. Hyperhidrosis - excessive sweating, treatable by various surgical and non-surgical means


55. Injectable Fillers


56. Inverted Nipple Repair


57. IPL - Intense Pulsed Light


58. Labiaplasty - to reduce the labia


59. Laser Facial Rejuvenation


60. Laser Skin Resurfacing


61. Laser Vision


62. Lip Augmentation


63. Lip Reduction


64. LipoDissolve


65. Liposculpture


66. Liposuction


67. Male Pectoral Implants


68. Mastectomy - surgical removal of one or both breasts


69. Mastopexy - reshaping and lifting the breasts


70. Mesotherapy - non-surgical cellulite treatment


71. Microdermabrasion


72. Micropigmentation


73. Mole Mapping


74. Mole Removal


75. Muscle Relaxing Injections


76. Nipple Reduction


77. Non-Surgical Skin Tightening


78. Otoplasty - ear reshaping, reduction or repair


79. Panniculectomy - reduce the size of the pannus (skin hanging from the abdomen)


80. Paris Lip Technique


81. Permanent Makeup


82. Phalloplasty - penis reconstruction or enlargement


83. Photo Rejuvenation


84. Photodynamic Therapy


85. Portrait Skin Regeneration


86. Radiofrequency Surgery


87. Rhinoplasty - nose reshaping Cosmetic Surgery


88. Scalp Flap Surgery


89. Scar Revision


90. Sclerotherapy - treatment of blood vessels, varicose and spider veins


91. Skin Lesions


92. Softform Implants


93. TCA Peel


94. ThermaCool


95. Thermage - skin tightening treatment


96. Thigh Lipectomy


97. Thigh Reduction


98. Umbillicoplasty


99. Vaginoplasty - reconstruction of the vagina


100. VelaSmooth


101. Vitamin Peels

These common techniques are widely available and sought after. Of course, the list is not all inclusive of every possible surgical and non-surgical technique available. It is a start to the cosmetic surgery scene.

As with cosmetic procedures, there are also different types of doctors to consider. Medical practitioners, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, cosmetic physicians and dermatologists all have distinct qualifications and training, with some having more expertise than others to perform a certain procedure. You need to find a doctor with the right education, training and experience in the procedure you are seeking. If you're unsure, contact one of the professional organizations or associations responsible for that area of cosmetic surgery.