Modern medicine has progressed to such an extent that people can rather easily book surgeries to alter whatever they don’t like about their bodies. On the face of it, this is all well and good, but the reality is that often esthetic surgeries are overhyped or, even worse, utterly pointless.
It tends to be better to learn from someone else’s mistakes first, so we’ve gathered stories from folks who got some cosmetic work done and ended up regretting it. Get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote the most interesting and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments down below.
#1
Microblading! I thought it would fade over time but 3 years later they’re still dark – just blurry and grey now.
Image source: thornstein, Gabe Pierce/Unsplash
#2
Rhinoplasty. It was an impulsive decision that I regret every single day 🙁 I was also so so young when I did it. I just miss my original nose so much 🥺 Please don’t ever get plastic surgery for other people. And definitely wait until your frontal lobe develops so you can make more rational and conscious decisions about your body.
Image source: sehunstars, David Mosquera/Pexels
#3
Permanent eyeliner. The top is ok but I let her do the bottom as well. Ugh.
Image source: SoilProfessional4102, JACK REDGATE/Pexels
#4
Had one of those facials where they scrape your face with a blade. Had the worst breakout of my life. Needed antibiotics.
Image source: panaceaLiquidGrace, Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels
#5
I can’t remember if there was an actual term for it but fat dissolving injections in the stubborn fat pouch under my chin.
First of all, highly expensive and I spent months saving up for it as I don’t have a lot of money and live pay check to pay check. Second of all, my lower face swelled up like a bullfrog and it stayed that way for an entire month – I couldn’t bring myself to leave the house for that entire month.
Third of all, it did NOTHING. Zilch. Absolutely nothing.
It feels frustrating to then go back to the injector (who is a qualified nurse practitioner btw) to show and tell her that it made no difference at all and that I was swollen for a month – only to have her shrug her shoulders. And you can’t get any money back for these things either. Would not get it again and I would advise against it.
Image source: anon, Thirdman/Pexels
#6
Hair extensions. They made me look the most beautiful I’ve ever looked when I had them in, but when I took them out my hair was so short and damaged 🙁 took years for my hair to recover.
Image source: Used_Affect4681, Element5 Digital/Pexels
#7
Expensive facials that had no long lasting results 💔 sure, it’s relaxing but it’s not worth $100+ dollars to fix nothing or to only temporarily improve the look of something for a couple of days at most.
Image source: System_Resident, John Tekeridis/Pexels
#8
Filler in my cheeks. Didn’t realize she used permanent filler. Though it fades over time, it can take years. I felt like it didn’t make my cheeks look lifted (like I was told it would). It just made my face look wider and fatter. And older.
Image source: throwaway89fa, Manuel Campagnoli/Pexels
#9
I’d have to say the thinning of my bucal fat pads. I was 27 and had really chubby cheeks. I never imagined that at 50 I’d really want all that fat back.
Image source: fine-corinthian, Hiago Italo/Pexels
#10
Coolsculpting. It drained the fat out of my thighs and now the skin looks loose and saggy. It looked way better just thick and fat.
Image source: Above_Ground_Fool, Darina Belonogova/Pexels
#11
Cosmetic nosejob when I was 17. I can’t breathe properly now.
Image source: batsicle, MART PRODUCTION/Pexels
#12
I got my eyelashes permed right before the mask mandates kicked in. She over processed them and they curled back into my eyelid folds. I sent them photos and they offered to fix them and I hemmed and hawed because I didn’t want to go back to the same woman. Then the mask mandates kicked in and covid “peaked,” so I didn’t go back to get them fixed. I spent the first few months of the pandemic with messed up eyelashes, when they were the most prominent feature of my face.
Image source: CheezusChrist, Engin Akyurt/Pexels
#13
Worst: braces. Although the dental professionals claimed that it would even out my teeth wear, I am so salty about it because my midline was centered prior to braces, and now it’s off to one side! Every time I smile with teeth, you can see that the midline doesn’t align with the center of my top lip, and it looks worse than before >_
Best: lip blush. I have terribly pale lips and being able to look alive straight from waking up is amazing. I wish they could go darker though.
Image source: delicatelysweet, SHVETS production/Pexels
#14
Ultraclear laser for hyperpigmentation. So painful and it took me over a month to heal (downtime is suppose to be a 4-7 days). It did nothing for my hyperpigmentation and left me broken capillaries.
Image source: kimchidijon, Angela Roma/Pexels
#15
I had a small-ish mole removed from my eyebrow when I was 16 for cosmetic reasons. I have transparent blonde eyebrows, and it was a dark spot that grew dark hair. I was always so embarrassed. People would think it was a bug on my face. The doctor froze it several times and then cut it out. He cut so deep I had to have stitches, and now I have a bumpy scar from it; almost keloid-ish… People still ask me what’s on my eyebrow, and it STILL GROWS DARK HAIRS 🤬.
Image source: ambs-33, Mathias Celis/Pexels
#16
I got fat freezing and it absolutely ruined my thighs. I still have slightly chubby thighs on a skinny bod, but now I have these two divots in the centre where the paddles were.
Wish I would’ve left well alone, but I’m also weirdly grateful in a way? Like, now I’m kinda cool with my T-Rex body type; it gave me perspective on perfection 💁♀️.
Image source: anon, Ron Lach/Pexels
#17
I had otoplasty.
(They removed a section of my ear cartilage in order to make them closer to my head).
Regret it so hard.
I had “spitting stitches” —permanent stitches that my body rejected and were pushing through my skin. Years later and I’ll still have a random stitch work it’s way through my skin. It’s like being stabbed in the ear with a needle constantly.
And there are ugly skin folds on the inside of my ears that the surgeon said was just swelling, and they are not. It’s been 7yrs, they are permanent.
They hurt to sleep on, they hurt to wear ear phones or sunglasses. They smell. It’s awful.
I’d trade them for my old crooked, “dumbo” ears in a heartbeat.
Edit: about the smell and those worried about infection…I have had many infections off and on because of these things. Right now the smell is more because there are more folds, nooks, and crannies because of scar tissue to hold onto sebum, etc. I have to stay on top of it and use alcohol to clean behind my ears, but I’m confident that they are not currently infected.
Image source: anon, Karola G/Pexels
#18
I had my lips tattooed and I regret it. You can’t even tell it was the tiniest shade darker and then my lips were all swollen and crusty for awhile. It also took hours and it hurt soooo bad since lips are a sensitive area and tattoos already hurt bad enough.
Image source: anon, Engin Akyurt/Pexels
#19
Japanese Head Spa. You are literally laying on a table with no padding with your head resting on a plastic block. That becomes very uncomfortable quickly.
The sink attached is plastic which means all the water hitting it echos and is jarringly LOUD.
As they do the washing and the treatments, your head starts to feel cold because your hair is drenched.
They will tangle your hair. Not fun.
Most of these places won’t even give you a rough blow dry just to get the heavy wet without charging you extra. So you either pay or walk out wet.
A day and a half later my scalp broke out in multiple areas. I’m pretty convinced the scrubbing gave me micro cuts and whatever they used after just irritated the hell out of my head.
I know what you are thinking. That it looks so relaxing on TikTok. It’s a lie. It was such a waste of money.
Image source: MameDennis1974, KoolShooters/Pexels
#20
Regret: eyebrow lamination, hydrafacial. After lamination eyebrows became like fake, difficult to manage. Hydrafacial – simply didn’t notice the difference and disappointed that I spent money.
Glad: armpit laser (was enough only 6 sessions, and price even now is at least twice lower than in Bay area. Unfortunately, I moved out…), permanent makeup on eyebrows (powder) and thin eyeliner. Also, 11 wrinkle botox. It actually got even better after second visit.
Image source: Logical_Challenge540, DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ/Pexels
#21
Expensive in-office tooth whitening. They smelled terrible for weeks after. I didn’t get anywhere near the shade I was aiming for, and using the boosters they sent home just makes them stink again. God I miss there days before white teeth were a thing.
Image source: JustCallMeNorma, Laura Villela Beauty Designer | Brasil/Pexels
#22
I got laser hair removal back in the day when it was still being advertised as permanent like electrolysis compared to a temporary reduction method. It took forever since I had to wait 2 months between each session & obviously wasn’t cheap.
While it did last for around 5 years, it suddenly all grew back at once like I never did anything. If I had known there was a possibility of it coming back, then I would have done electrolysis instead.
Image source: Here_IGuess, Farhad Ibrahimzade/Pexels
#23
Tretinoin.
It destroyed my tear glands despite me being careful to keep it from my eyes. Differin caused further damage (I tried it after stopping tret because a derm told me it wouldn’t exacerbate my dry eyes. She was very wrong). Now I use 2 excruciatingly expensive prescription eye medications for my dry eyes and I’ll need these prescriptions for the rest of my life. I hate that I destroyed my eyes because I was so desperate to get rid of my cystic acne. I’m also eternally grateful I pushed back so hard against Accutane. If topical Tretinoin caused me so much damage, I can only imagine how bad it would have been orally. I was told by my opthamologist that topical Tretinoin can be absorbed systemically and have similar effects to Accutane.
Image source: iceunelle, Ron Lach/Pexels
#24
Under eye filler. Wish I never had it done.
Image source: curiousLouise2001, nana/Pexels
#25
Keratin treatment! I used to have gorgeus curly hair and now I have to wait for it to grow back in 🙁 It’s been a year and half of my hair is pin straight and half of my hair is REALLY curly. I’m also very unlucky to have very slow hair growth LOL.
Image source: OkBag3815, Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels
#26
Regret – Tear trough filler. I didn’t need it, wasn’t the best candidate, got it anyway. When my hayfever flares I get quite puffy under my eyes and it doesn’t look great. On the right person it can be transformative, I am not the right person.
Worth it – Lip filler. My natural upper lip is as skinny as a paper cut and I have a very full bottom lip. I adore how it evened out my lips and makes my face look more balanced. I’ve gotten it for over a decade and I’ll continue lip filler until my last day.
Image source: MediBird22, Thegiansepillo/Pexels
#27
Love:
-Botox! Honestly don’t ever want to be with out it. Lifts my brows and makes me skin look flawless
– Nanoblading. I waited for years and obsessively researched artists. My brows used to be non existent and now I wake up with beautiful natural brows all the time. I’ve had people ask what brow products I use and I tell them it’s nano blading and they are shocked.
– chin filler: totally improved my profile. Made my face so much prettier
Regret: any and all cellulite treatments and creams. Nothing works. Just genetics. Building muscle helps but nothing gets rid of it.
Image source: Klutzy-Idea9861, Anna Tarazevich/Pexels
#28
Spending money in high end salons for hair cuts.
Most of the times I have come out looking my hair exactly the same. Rather get it at a basic salon with the cut you actually want plus wash etc and still would not cost as much.
Image source: sometalkbee, Element5 Digital/Pexels
#29
Birth control to stop acne. It depleted my vitamins, messed with my menstrual cycle, and contributed to weight gain and depression. And getting off caused hair loss and acne that took over a year to resolve.
Image source: day-at-sea
#30
1. Every time I get nails I immediately regret them because then I can’t do anything with my hands
2. Botox gave me the worst constant headaches from when I got it for the several months til it wore off
3. Bangs regret, lol
Botox I will not repeat. I’d rather have wrinkles than be constantly cranky because my head is hurting forever .
Image source: moonlets_
#31
I got a mini tummy tuck thinking that it would get rid of the indent from my C-section scar that can be seen when I wear form fitting clothing like dresses or bathing suits. 1 year out from my mini tummy tuck and I still have dent but now from my tummy tuck scar. Complete waste of money.
Image source: Bronagh22
#32
Lip lifts are one that I have a hard time suggesting – especially for younger patients. The scar is often times noticeable despite best efforts.
Image source: dkowalczyk_md_cofps
#33
Thread lift. Specifically Silhouette Instalift. 1.5 years later- not worth the money. I deeply regret being swayed into this by the provider. Sigh, such is life.
Image source: Lower_Base_380, cottonbro studio/Pexels
#34
I regret the series of Fractional and Fraxel treatments I got from a top notch scar specialist. They did absolutely nothing, I swear it made one side worse and their office tried to convince me ‘it did so much!! Zero results and thousands spent.
Image source: Sorry-Dimension1996
#35
Got botox for crows feet and regret it. Now when I smile, I don’t look happy. I just look scary instead because my mouth is smiling but my eyes look stoic. Can’t wait for this to wear off.
Image source: pressrewind79
#36
I was born with a cleft lip and palate so I’ve had a lot of plastic surgery at a young age. I’m 22 now and aged out of the hospital I went to. I’ve had a couple of rhinoplasty and a surgery to move both my upper and lower jaws. I don’t regret anything except for maybe my last rhinoplasty, it was an attempt to gain more symmetry and worked but I ended up with a lump of extra scar tissue in the top of one of my nostrils.
My surgeon said that there is a certain about of asymmetry that people who look at you won’t notice, but you do. Which I think to a point is true as I’ve stopped getting questions about why my face looks the way it does as I’ve had surgery’s. However, I’ve not had surgery on my lip beyond when my cleft was fixed very young and every now and again someone will get bold and ask what’s up with my lip which I take to mean it’s the most noticeable part.
Obviously not many of the surgeries I had were elective but the few that weren’t I overall don’t regret. I feel I look closer to what I would look like without my birth defect. And I feel pretty which was harder when kids would ask me what was “wrong with my face.”.
Image source: mooselessnesss
#37
I’m not sure if this counts, because the surgery was reconstructive, but doctors had to rebuild the Cupid’s bow on my upper lip. Not only is it impossible for them to make it look 100% natural (even though my surgeons are considered to be some of the best in the world), but the amount of occupational therapy involved is ridiculous! The entire process has taken the entirety of the pandemic and they anticipate it will be another 6 months before I am “done.” The doctors are very proud of their work, but I’m still so embarrassed about what I consider to be a disfiguring scar in the middle of my face.
People considering facial cosmetic surgery: it is not an easy quick fix. There is hard work involved, it takes longer than you expect, and there is no way to know going in what you will look like coming out. This is a gamble I wish I had never had to take.
Image source: anon
#38
I kind of regret my rhinoplasty. I had a really big, long nose with a downward tip. The doctor said that a small nose wouldn’t suit my face and he just tries to make it more feminine. 3000 € later I can barely see a difference, and absolutely NOBODY saw it, even the people how knew about it. I didn’t regret getting it, but I wish I would have gotten to another doctor.
Image source: Schnabellex
#39
It’s kind of just a minor inconvenience compared to some of these but I had a negative experience with Botox where it caused ptosis and eye drift (I have a very unnoticeable lazy eye). It went away after about 2 weeks but I had to conduct a few interviews and my eye kept drifting away and I’m sure it made things very awkward lmao.
The benefits though outweigh a lot of that negative experience. Botox is great for people who suffer headaches which is one of the main non cosmetic reasons I had it done. If it lasted longer on me I would get it done again.
Image source: ArtyFeasting
#40
I was 20 when I got breast implants. From day one I pretty much hated how I looked and felt in them. Instant regret. They were big and bulky on my small frame even after telling the doctor I didn’t want giant implants.
A turning point for me was when I went to buy new bras as I gained weight and they were not fitting anymore. I had a breakdown when the lady told me I was now a size DDD32 or a E something rather.
Called my husband and told him I hated these things and just started bawling on the phone.
Funny this is around 2 years ago one of them deflated on their own. Since it was still under 10 years it was covered under warranty and they were able to pay for the cost of removal for the deflated implant. I had to pay for the other one of course but I was sooooooo happy they were out.
Instant relief and I loved the new look/feel immediately. Nothing like day after I had gotten my implants.
Image source: RedTWL
#41
I don’t know if this exactly counts but I regret having bunion and hammertoe surgery. I am left with scars on all my toes and the side of my feet and I can no longer bend my toes. It sounds silly to take something so trivial for granted but I really miss being able to bend my toes. I did this because I wanted narrower feet and to be able to wear a smaller shoe size.
I am slowly gaining confidence now and can wear certain sandals. I’ve always been very self conscious of my feet since they are big on me. I would like to be able to go to the beach shoeless and go swimming without obsessing over the fact that people will notice my feet.
Image source: Milleniumfelidae
#42
I don’t have any regrets but I don’t think I’d do my tummy tuck and lipo had I known how difficult recovery would be for me personally. It looks amazing now but it really took me out mentally for the better part of this year.
I don’t regret my breast lift or botox!
Image source: Camelsloths, cottonbro studio/Pexels
#43
Dunno the name of the procedure. Treatment for spider veins on the outsides of my thighs. They inject this solution to make them stick/collapse and then use a laser to zap them as well.
The procedure was uncomfortable but healing was awful. I had to wear compression tights 24/7 for like 10 days. Any injected solution that didn’t end up in the vein caused ulceration. So I had these weepy sores all over my legs. Then they crusted over and then turned into scabs and caught on *everything* and would rip off. They took forever to heal.
And the first round wasn’t as successful as I would’ve hoped so dummy me did it a second time! Ugh.
Each session was $400.
Now? My veins are much better but not entirely gone. However, all the little scabs caused scarring. When I’m pale as hell, it’s not noticeable. But when I tan, it’s like a fine white leopard print pattern on my legs because the scars don’t tan. It looks super strange.
Image source: rizzo1717
#44
I had a deviated septum as a kid and begged my parents for surgery to fix it, but really I just hated my nose and wanted a nose job. They let me get it when I was 17 because they were concerned about my breathing and I was able to get the bump removed at the same time. The recovery was horrendous and the swelling took a year to go down.
My nose looks okay, but it’s crooked and one nostril is slightly collapsed. My breathing hasn’t improved at all. Sometimes I wonder if I even really had a deviated septum. Looking back, my nose was totally fine before and I was just an insecure kid. I wish I hadn’t done something so permanent as a teenager.
Edit: I had a septorhinoplasty, which is meant to improve your breathing AND change the appearance of your nose. I regret changing my appearance and believe the doc botched the whole thing, but I know a septoplasty can be a lifesaver for people with breathing issues!
Image source: zozobinx
#45
I once got chin filler that balled up and never sat properly. I felt it made my chin look huge. It dissolved as expected and I won’t ever get that again. I do get nasal labial filler and Botox for my crows feet and will continue that. I got cheek filler once but the recovery for me was so terrible, never again.
Image source: anon
