Youโ€™ve been wanting to change your looks with a cosmetic procedure forever โ€” say, a nose job or a tummy tuck โ€” but you canโ€™t afford to pay for it in full. That makes you wonder: Would it really be so bad to put it on a credit card and pay it off over time?

While the financial costs of such a decision often outweigh the benefits, thereโ€™s no one-size-fits-all answer. Assuming the procedure is medically advisable, start by evaluating your financial situation and options. And if youโ€™re sure you want to borrow on plastic, do all you can to avoid the negative side effects of high interest rates and out-of-control balances.