The Gravers' show of solidarity, after that first night at the Mall, had been strictly cosmetic.

Executives at the magazine, which, with a circulation of 15 million, is among the largest magazines in the country, insist that the changes are strictly cosmetic.

They are not recognized as specialists by the American Dental Association, and their strictly cosmetic approach is occasionally criticized by peers who are more concerned with dental health.

"As far as our experts can tell," Mr. Bush says, "the changes that they are proposing are strictly cosmetic."

Surgery for strictly cosmetic reasons should not be done since the risks may be greater than the benefits.

The mortality rate is low, .01 percent, but critics say that even 1 death out of 10,000 is too many for what amounts to a strictly cosmetic, nonmedical procedure.

Gentlemen also had a rash all week, but Mandella said the problem was strictly cosmetic and should not have affected Gentlemen's performance.

While strictly cosmetic, such abnormalities are anathema to fish buyers - and consumers.

"With strictly cosmetic procedures, it seems wisest to err on the conservative side."

Mr. Bush called those changes "strictly cosmetic."