A dermatologist has revealed the three cosmetic procedures he would never undertake because they are costly and largely ineffective.
Dr. Peter Malouf, 54, of Dallas, Texas, has more than 20,000 followers on TikTok, where he shares videos about cosmetic surgery, including before-and-after photos.
The plastic surgeon, who uses the pseudonym @drcosderm, went viral this month when he spoke out about the procedures he is strongly against.
Dr. Malouf started his video by saying he would never get Kybella, an injectable that “promises to melt fat.”
Dr. Peter Malouf, 54, of Dallas, Texas, has more than 20,000 followers on TikTok, where he shares videos about dermatology and cosmetic surgery
The plastic surgeon, who uses the pseudonym @drcosderm, went viral this month when he spoke out about the procedures he is strongly against
Avoid at all costs? The three procedures that Dr. Malouf would never do it
- Kybella
- sculpture
- Morpheus8
“Kybella has been, in my opinion, one of the worst products in recent years because it damages the tissue under the skin, has a high pain impact, is very expensive and has minimal effectiveness,” he explained.
According to HealthLine, a Kybella injection costs between $1,200 and $1,800, and multiple treatments may be required for optimal results.
Dr. Malouf shared that he is also not a fan of Sculptra, an injectable dermal filler designed to reduce skin wrinkles.
“Sculptra was a product that came to market many years ago,” he said. “The company changed hands and promises to use it as a filler were not fulfilled.”
He noted that he doesn't like the product because its predictability and cost-effectiveness are “very low,” but added that “it is safe.”
The cost of Sculptra injections varies from state to state, but the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported in 2016 that the average price per treatment was $923.
Dr. Malouf said the last procedure he wouldn't have done is Morpheus8, a device that combines microneedling and radiofrequency to smooth, firm and reshape the skin.
Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham and Bella Thorne are all fans of expensive laser treatment.
Dr. Malouf said he would never get Kybella, an injectable that “melts fat,” or Sculptra, an injectable dermal filler used to reduce skin wrinkles
Dr. Malouf also advised against Morpheus8, a celebrity-loved laser treatment that combines microneedling and radiofrequency to smooth, firm and reshape skin
Dr. Malouf's video has been viewed more than 500,000 times and many commenters praised him for his honesty
According to RealSelf, the cost can range from $500 to $3,900 depending on the treatment area.
Dr. Malouf explained that he has to worry about hyperpigmentation when using the laser on darker skin.
“I also think that the procedure causes a lot of pain, is very expensive and [has] “Minimal results at best,” he concluded.
The video from Dr. Malouf has been viewed more than 500,000 times and received over 1,100 comments since it was posted on December 7th.
Many people praised him for his honesty and agreed with his assessments based on their own experiences with the procedures.
“Morpheus is THE biggest waste of money,” one person responded.
“Kybella was my worst mistake.” It destroyed my chin and neck. Thank you for speaking up!' another added.
“I agree with Kybella [and] Sculpture. I hardly agree with Morpheus. “It's my favorite procedure and gives amazing results,” someone else pointed out. “It really depends on the provider.”
“I have never seen spectacular results and cannot recommend it for reasons of pain and cost,” replied Dr. Malouf.