text: One in five American women are willing to undergo dangerous beauty treatments in order to achieve the ideal look, despite the risks that these procedures pose to their health. According to a new study, while just over half of women worry about the long term damage of beauty treatments, nearly a fifth would still pursue a treatment to get the right look - even it it proved hazardous to their health. Seven per cent, meanwhile, have actually had allergic reactions. The survey, conducted by beauty research organization LQS and Associates, looked at the lengths 1,000 American women go to in order to enhance their appearances or copy a celebrity, and the potentially disastrous consequences they might face in doing so, including hair loss, skin swelling, and overly painful procedures. The cost of beauty: Women often don't realize the dangers of salon treatments before sitting in the styling chair . Respondents cited the hairstyles of actresses Jennifer Aniston and Sandra Bullock, as well as signer Jennifer Lopez, as celebrity favorites, with 53 per cent also noting that they get skin, beauty, and hair ideas from pictures and videos of famous personalities. But LQS and Associates warns against attempts to emulate these looks on a regular basis. A-listers like Beyonce, Paris Hilton, and Selena Gomez all sport weaves and extensions, but their beauty regimen is not always adaptable to the average person. 'Many of those glamorous looks can do more harm than good, leading to long term problems,' said LaQue Gushon-Harris, president of LQS and Associates. 'Unfortunately, most women are not even aware of the repercussions.' Mr Gushon-Harris explained that women who get weaves and extensions often deal with hair loss from traction alopecia, the gradual recession of the hairline due to tight hairstyles that pull at hair follicles over time. The survey also revealed that the top five beauty and cosmetic treatments favored by women in the US include manicures, pedicures, hair coloring, teeth whitening, and perms. However, frequently demonized treatments like tanning beds and facials also make the top 10. Good hair day: Jennifer Aniston (left) and Sandra Bullock (right) have the top two favorite celebrity hairstyles . Long-term risk? According to LaQue Gushon-Harris, president of LQS and Associates, Beyonce's weave could be causing permanent damage to her hair follicles . Despite the dangers, the majority of women say beauty treatments make them feel better about themselves and improve their looks. Nearly half believe these procedures boost their confidence. And in a country where one-sixth of women go to great lengths to look like their favorite celebrities, knowledge of dangers might not even stop them. When asked if they knew for certain that their treatments would cause permanent damage, four per cent said they would continue anyway and six per cent would continue, just not as much. Most women, however, remain confident that their treatments are safe, and 67 per cent say they would stop if they learned what they were doing to themselves was unhealthy. It comes down to education, says Mr Gushon-Harris, who travels the country teaching women about the dangers of cosmetic treatments. The study also found that 56 per cent of the respondents want more information on the side effects of their treatments and almost a quarter don't have any idea of the dangers of their treatments. It's a possible push for beauty salons to be more transparent. 'It is very important to be educated about whatever it is that you are doing to your body,' he added. 'These damages can be lasting and life changing.'
target: American women look to celebrities for hair inspiration, often uneducated about the potential dangers of beauty procedures .
  Many celebrities who wear weaves, such as Beyonce, Selena Gomez and Paris Hilton, could be doing serious damage to their hair .
  Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock and Jennifer Lopez were revealed as having the three most popular celebrity hairstyles .