Cosmetic surgery is a very popular form of plastic surgery. Critics of plastic surgery note that it is legal for any doctor, regardless of speciality, to perform cosmetic surgery. It is thus important to distinguish the terms "plastic surgery" and "cosmetic surgery": Plastic Surgery is dedicated to the surgical repair of defects of form or function -- this includes cosmetic (or aesthetic) surgery, as well as reconstructive surgery. The term "cosmetic surgery" however, refers to surgery that is designed to improve cosmetics, or appearance.

The most prevalent aesthetic/cosmetic procedures are listed below. Most of these types of surgery are more commonly known by their "common names."

* Abdominoplasty (or "tummy tuck"): reshaping and firming of the abdomen

* Blepharoplasty (or "eyelid surgery"): Reshaping of the eyelids or the application of permanent eyeliner, including Asian blepharoplasty

* Augmentation Mammaplasty/breast augmentation (or "breast enlargement" or "boob job"): Augmentation of the breasts. This can involve either saline or silicone gel prosthetics.

* Buttock Augmentation (or "butt augmentation" or "butt implants"): Enhancement of the buttocks. This procedure can be performed by using silicone implants or fat grafting and transfer from other areas of the body.

* Chemical peel: Minimizing the appearance of acne, pock, and other scars as well as wrinkles (depending on concentration and type of agent used, except for deep furrows), solar lentigines (age spots, freckles), and photodamage in general. Chemical peels commonly involve carbolic acid (Phenol), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), glycolic acid (AHA), or salicylic acid (BHA) as the active agent.

* Mastopexy (or "breast lift"): Raising or reshaping of breasts

* Labiaplasty: Surgical reduction and reshaping of the labia

* Rhinoplasty (or "nose job"): Reshaping of the nose

* Otoplasty (or ear surgery): Reshaping of the ear

* Rhytidectomy (or "face lift"): Removal of wrinkles and signs of aging from the face

* Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (or liposuction): Removal of fat from the body

* Chin augmentation: Augmentation of the chin with an implant (e.g. silicone) or by sliding genioplasty of the jawbone.

* Cheek augmentation

* Collagen, fat, and other tissue filler injections (eg hyaluronic acid)

* Laser skin resurfacing

* Injection of dermal fillers (collagen, hyaluronic acid, fat, and others)