Cosmetic procedure touted for poker players

Poker has been a hot topic in popular culture in recent years, thanks partly to the broadcast of tournaments such as the World Series of Poker and the hit single "Poker Face" by pop singer Lady Gaga. Although professional players may not be more concerned with their looks than the average American, some may soon consider a cosmetic procedure to potentially improve their game.

Game changer
Just as singer Gaga proclaims, a game player's poker face should be hard to read. In order to help make that possible, a New York firm has begun to offer an injectable treatment geared toward poker professionals.

"It's brilliant marketing," noted Ellen Leikind, author of a number of poker-based books, according to the Huffington Post. "However, there are lots of 'tells' that can't be covered up … such as a throbbing vein in the neck or a tendency to start chatting when you have a good hand, or reaching into your chips subconsciously."

As injectables are known to affect a person's range of facial expressions, the firm behind the new treatment option touts its ability to help achieve an effectively stony poker face. Serious and casual players alike should consult a medical professional before considering the procedure, however, as less wrinkles is a more likely result than poker jackpots if they buy Restylane or a similar filler or muscle tightening product.

Don't tell
Poker players strive to avoid showing "tells," or facial expressions, personality ticks and other minute changes that others may read as a reaction to a good or bad hand or cards. In order to keep other players from guessing at a good or bad hand, a card holder must avoid predictable or obvious signs that luck has suddenly changed.

Using injectable fillers or muscle freezing agents for reasons other than those approved by the FDA should be discussed with a medical professional, whether for cosmetic or gambling purposes.