" For example, a relatively new form of elective eye surgery replaces a healthy cornea with a colored artificial lens."

" And some women undergo surgery on their feet to help them fit into more fashionable shoes. "

" "If a little bit of lipstick and blush allows you to feel brighter, that's OK," says Heather Raznick, a psychotherapist in west St. Louis County. "But is it interfering with your ability to function? Is it a way to bypass your interior?" "

" Raznick blames pressure from the media for many unrealistic goals regarding personal appearance. From magazines to television, women especially are bombarded with images "that are only attainable by a small percentage of people," she says. "

" Nevertheless, you may be putting your health at risk for the sake of appearances. Here are some examples: "

" Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration scrutinizes cosmetics, and old horror tales of deadly cosmetics have for the most part dried up. Poisonous additives, such as mercury, arsenic and even residue from poison ivy, are banned."

" Still, be wary of cosmetics sold exclusively through the Internet or late-night television, says Dr. Dee Anna Glaser, professor of cosmetic dermatology with St. Louis University School of Medicine. "

" To be safe, dermatologists say, try any new cosmetic on one patch of skin to check for an allergic reaction. "

" Tanning beds and the sun emit radiation associated with skin cancer, including melanoma, which can be deadly. In fact, tanning beds emit five to 15 times more ultraviolet rays than an equivalent amount of time in the sun. Also, UVA rays, the type that don't cause sunburns, are as guilty in skin cancer as the UVB rays, which cause the sunburn. "

" Don't fall for the speeches about sun and tanning beds helping the body produce vitamin D. You get enough from your diet or with the time you spend outdoors just walking to your car. "

" The biggest danger comes from dirty tools. HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B and other blood-borne diseases can be spread with tattoo needles. Even with sterile tools, anything that punctures the skin can push germs from outside the skin inside your body. Also, be aware of allergic reactions to red and yellow dye. Those tend to be mild and short-lived but not so rare."

" Cuticles act as a gasket, a sealer that protects the skin behind the nails from infection. Pushing them back or cutting them off defeats the purpose."

" ? Artificial nails can trap germs that cause infections. It's best, doctors say, to use fake nails only for special occasions, then to remove them and go natural. In addition, dirty tools can spread hepatitis, HIV, herpes and other diseases carried in the bloodstream from one customer to another. "

" Hair replacement ? Hair replacements that puncture the skin risk infection. Dermatologists say they get patients regularly who have infections from hair inserts. Know the risk."

" Braids ? Pulling the hair so tight that it hurts can cause permanent hair loss later in life. If it's painful, it's too tight."

" Hair chemicals ? Most chemicals are safe and regulated. A debate rages as to whether chemical burns, dyes and straighteners cause hair loss later in life ? after age 40 or 50. Most hair loss is genetic. But inconclusive evidence points to a lifetime of bleaches, dyes and burns from straightening chemicals as being deadly for hair follicles."

" Scraping the hair from your face daily is a double-edged blade. Sensitive skin can be irritated;
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