According to some sources, cosmetic surgery procedures where fat is suctioned away - such as in tummy tucks or liposuction – could have a negative effect on the environment. There is little that can be done with the fat removed during these operations and the fat is often incinerated, and it is this burning which releases carbon into the air.

A pound of fat is said to be around 78 per cent carbon. According to the latest figures, around 450,000 liposuction and tummy tuck procedures are done every year in the US alone, and this has released around 1000 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere. This is the equivalent of driving 2 million miles!

Dr. Geoffrey Rappert has investigated the use of lasers for removing moles and has discovered that although the procedure works in some cases, in others, the lasers may actually stimulate the growth of moles, warts and skin tags. This means that in some cases, the moles may reappear after they have been removed by the laser.

Rappert believes that their re-appearance may be down to the way that the laser light’s energy or waves of photons work by rejuvenating the cells. However, Rappert is quick to point out that the findings are not concrete and further research into the issues is required.

There are other ways of treating moles – patients can also opt for surgery or have a liquid nitrogen treatment applied.

The Department of Revenue has said that sales tax on prosthetic devices prescribed or recommended by a health professional will not be subject to sales tax. This means that anyone looking to have reconstructive surgery on their breasts, or to repair congenitally unformed breasts will not need to pay tax. The bad news is that breast implants for purely cosmetic reasons will still be subject to tax. Overall, it is estimated that if this does come into force, the state revenues will be reduced by around $300,000 - $400,000 a year.

Botox is based on a natural poison and is used by many in their quest for wrinkle-free skin. However researchers have announced that they tested Botox on rats, and three days later discovered traces of the chemical in the animals’ brain stems.

The research, although slightly alarming, should not be seen as the end of Botox – rats and humans have a different make-up and their responses may vary meaning that humans may not see the same effects as rats.

“I used to have Botox and I thought it was fantastic at first,” Lulu explained to British magazine Good Housekeeping. “But it quickly fades. Too much of it makes your face immovable and it doesn’t actually help you to look young so I stopped.

“I would consider [cosmetic] surgery in the future but, as with everything, it is a case of going to the best person and having it done in moderation. I never go out looking like a bag lady and I even put on lip gloss to walk the dogs. I’ll try to look my best until I’m 80 and beyond, God willing.

“I don’t wake up in the morning and say ‘Oh, you gorgeous thing.” But sometimes you put on the right outfit, your hair’s looking just right and your skin’s glowing and you think, ‘You don’t look bad for an old girl’

“I’m careful with my diet, eating three healthy, balanced meals. But I always make sure I have a daily treat, whether it’s a piece of chocolate, a cookie or a bit of dessert.”

In an interview with US talk show host David Letterman, the 46-year old actress explained that she is a fan of ‘leech therapy’ and has recently visited Austria for a session.

“I was in Austria doing a cleanse and part of the therapy was leech therapy,” she said. “There aren’t just swamp leeches though – we are talking about highly trained medical leeches. Theses are not some low level scavengers; we are talking high level blood suckers.”

Leech therapy is no means a new idea – ancient Egyptians are said to have used leeches to help cure myriads of ailments. Leeches are also gaining more acceptance in modern medicine and are used in some cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive surgeries to help assist with the reattachment of parts of the body.

“They have a little enzyme that, when they are biting down in you, it gets released into your blood. And generally, you bleed for quite a bit and your health is optimized,” Moore continued. “It detoxifies your blood. I’m feeling very detoxified right now.

“I did it in some woman’s house lying on her bed – we did a little sampler first which is in the belly button. It crawls in and you feel it bite down and you want to go ‘you bastard!’ Then you relax and work on your Lemaze breathing just to kind of relax.

“You watch it swell up on your blood, watching it get fatter and fatter, then when it is super-drunk on your blood, it just kind of rolls over like it is stumbling out of a bar.

“You first feel worse, then you feel better. But I am going back! I only got four leeches so I feel a bit cheated.”

Researchers at the University of Washington have already found 25 genes that regulate lifespan in two organisms separated by 1.5 billion years of evolution. The researchers are hopeful that at least 15 of these genes may be similar to genes in humans and that by altering their activity, the ageing process may be slowed down. The scientists also hope that if successful, targeting the genes may also help slow-down or cure several age related illnesses.

Yeast and the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans were studied by the scientists – both are commonly used in laboratories across the world. The researchers claim the findings are significant because the two organisms are so far apart on the evolutionary scale, more so than the difference between humans and C. elegans.

The 31 year old Brit’s boyfriend is not so keen on Friel having cosmetic surgery though – David Thewlis has said that unnaturally tautened skin makes her look like an alien.

“I don’t think I need Botox or cosmetic surgery right now,” Friel admitted. “But I’m sure I will later on. But show me a woman in her 20s who, when she’s in her car and stuck at traffic lights doesn’t look in the mirror then pull her face back with her palms and think, ‘Does that look better?’ I did it the other day and David was with me and said, ‘You look like an alien!’

“A bit of maintenance here and there is fine, but you want to grow older a little gracefully.”

By the time she was five years old, Georgia Bussey had undergone three cosmetic surgery operations – the first lot of surgery was to stop her tongue from poking out of her mouth; the second surgery was to remove folds of skin from around the inner corners of the eyes to take away from the ‘slantiness characteristic’ of Down’s Syndrome; The final surgery was to stop her ears from sticking out so much.

Critics of the parents have said that the parents’ actions are tantamount to child abuse. Georgia’s parents have defended their actions saying that in a society where we are judged on our looks first and foremost, they wanted to remove the most prominent Down’s characteristics so that Georgia would fit in better with her peers. They claim that society is not going to change overnight, and in a world where looks are highly prized, they want their daughter to fit easily into society.

The Bussey’s are not the only parents of a Down’s child who are considering cosmetic surgery for their children. There are several other cases of parents looking to cosmetic surgery to change their way their children look – some advocate the surgery early on in the childrens’ lives, whilst others are waiting until their children turn 18 before making a decision over the cosmetic procedures.

Despite this, much of the criticism of the Bussey’s stems from parents with Down’s Syndrome children – their argument is that the children should be loved and cherished for who they are and not what they look like, and they should not be physically changed just because they look a little different.

The study states that in 2007, Botox injections dropped by 15% over 2006 figures despite the number of cosmetic surgery procedures increasing by 2% over the same period. Botox amongst men also increased by 10% over the same time frame implying that women are turning their backs on Botox.

However, not everyone believes the figures are correct – Allegran, the makers of Botox, have said that they doubt the claim that Botox popularity is declining, and some other organisations have also expressed doubts over the figures.

There are a few reasons why Botox popularity may be waning – the most prevalent factor is the current economic climate. With people becoming increasingly worried about their finances, and with levels of personal debt increasing, some are cutting back on non-essential expenses which include things such as Botox.