Talk about being an enabler to a potential plastic surgery addiction. It doesn't get any worse than this.

With a mother commonly referred to as the "Human Barbie," it was pretty likely that Hannah Burge would eventually dabble in the world of plastic surgery. She just decided to make the plunge a little earlier than anyone expected.

Last year, at age 15, Hannah became the youngest British girl ever to get BOTOX. That is saying a lot -- those Brits really love their plastic surgery. For Hannah to become the youngest places her in a very exclusive group, even in a country of plastic surgery junkies.

According to Hannah: "I had a couple of lines on my forehead and around my mouth, which I was unhappy about. Appearance is important to me and I don't want to look haggard and ugly by the time I'm 25."

I have to be honest, I really don't know too many people who look haggard at 25. It just doesn't happen, and if it does, it is most likely due to one of two reasons:

• Living hard and partying harder
  
• Being a bit overzealous in the sun
  

Even these two lifestyle choices generally won't rear their affects on your face at age 25. Chances are, you will even still get carded at most bars (at least in this country -- I can't speak for British pubs). I'm 33 and I still get carded at most bars. And no one has ever stuck a needle in my face. F@&k that!

Recently, Hannah has had two additional BOTOX treatments. However, unlike the first procedure which was performed at a clinic in Spain, her two recent injections were administered by Mama Barbie herself. That's right, her mom, the Human Barbie, willingly stuck needles into her 16-year-old daughter's face to remove wrinkles. What is this world coming to?

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that this woman is so happy to push her daughter down the road to a lifetime of body image issues. Her nickname speaks volumes on this subject. So do her actions.

Sarah Burge, a.k.a. the Human Barbie, has reportedly spent more than $750,000 on plastic surgery before the age of 50, a record in Britain. She spends approximately $33,000 a year maintaining her Barbie-like appearance.

Her list of procedures is quite impressive:

• Cheek implants
  
• Chin implants
  
• Brow lift
  
• Upper eye lift
  
• Liposuction to the jaw, chin, and neck
  
• Three facelifts
  
• Tummy tuck
  
• Buttock implants
  
• Breast augmentation
  
• Fat transplantation
  

If you are reading this blog and your last name is not Burge, please learn from this crazy woman. Her obsession with plastic surgery has caused her poor daughter to fear looking haggard by the age of 25. That is truly tragic. At 25, Hannah should be relishing in the best days of her youth, not going for a facelift to desperately hang onto something she foolishly perceives as slipping through her fingers.

I'm not sure where the Human Barbie gets her money from, but clearly she has a lot lying around to spend on silicone. I hope Hannah is lucky enough to either have a serious trust fund or find some rich dude who won't mind bankrolling what is clearly about to become a serious addiction for the rest of her life. If she has to work long, hard hours to pay for all the surgery she's going to want, she may actually start looking haggard by age 25. Now that would be ironic.

If she's lucky, poor Hannah may someday find a guy as fixated on appearances as she is. Perhaps she could find her soul mate in a guy nicknamed the "Human Ken." I'll bet that would make her mom proud.

If you live in the Dallas, Texas area, are old enough to sign your own consent form, and would like to receive BOTOX injections, please contact experienced Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Vasdev Rai today to schedule your initial consultation.

I'm referring to a BOTOX blackmail scandal that has recently surfaced in Great Britain. A British woman secretly filmed an encounter with her plastic surgeon where she performed a sexual act for him while he was administering her BOTOX treatment.

Wow! I'm impressed. I don't know that I would be able to keep a steady enough hand to properly administer the BOTOX injection under those circumstances. I'd be too distracted. Either this doctor has incredible self-control or his patient is not very good at what she does.

Regardless, I'm shocked that this woman would risk the facial disfigurement that would result if her handiwork caused the good doctor to botch her BOTOX injection. She would have a freakish face for months, and then her doctor would most likely not want to engage in future sexual encounters with her. I suppose she was so turned on by her doctor that she simply couldn't wait 15 minutes for the procedure to be completed. Our doctor must have some serious mojo.

According to the reports, the two were not caught having sex, although it sounds like they have engaged in an ongoing sexual relationship. Instead, she had performed a "sexual act" on him. Since the incident occurred while he was administering her BOTOX treatment (I'm still blown away every time I think about this -- no pun intended), she most likely was not using her mouth. I mean, he would have to be a very talented doctor to perform the procedure under those circumstances. By process of elimination, we can probably figure out what was going on between the two love birds on this tape. However, in order to maintain a semblance of professionalism on this blog, I will not speak any further on this subject. I trust you can all use your imaginations.

But I digress. Back to the story...

Somehow, this woman let her clandestine sex tape fall into the hands of her husband. I don't quite understand how this happened. I would think that he would be the last person she would want to see the tape. I guess if this woman is dumb enough to risk disfigurement by performing sexual acts on her doctor while he is administering her procedure, she is probably dumb enough to bring the tape home, pop it in the DVD player, and say, "Honey, look what I did today!"

However, instead of going into a fit of rage, her husband saw dollar $ign$. He went straight to the doctor and demanded a little over $32,000 to keep his mouth shut. Hmm. A whole $32,000. For that paltry sum of money, he is risking incarceration in a federal prison. After all, he is blackmailing a plastic surgeon. They make good money. Don't you think he should have set his sights a bit higher? Maybe ask for a few hundred grand to keep the tape private? $32,000 just seems a bit anti-climactic for a blackmail scandal.

It appears that at first, the doctor was planning on paying. However, at the urging of his brother, he brought the matter to the police.

According to the doctor's court testimony, the sexual relationship with this woman was completely consensual. Furthermore, she demanded that he supply her with drugs such as ketamine. I guess she liked to party. I wonder if she was in a K-hole while performing the sex act in question. That would certainly be an interesting twist of events. Or maybe she shared the ketamine with her husband, and when he asked where she got it, she showed him the tape. Wouldn't that be a doozy?

I suppose the moral of our story is that if you are going to let your patient perform sexual acts on you, wait until AFTER the procedure has been completed and she is no longer your patient so that you do not risk having your medical license revoked. And for God sake, don't let her get the encounter on video tape. Learn from Tiger, Bill Clinton, Kobe Bryant, and the countless others before you who have been caught red handed. Be discreet! You don't know how big of a mouth your mistress may have (again, no pun intended).

If you are interested in BOTOX injections in the Seattle, Washington area, please contact the Seattle plastic surgery office of Pratt Plastic Surgery today to schedule your initial consultation. Dr. Pratt plays it by the book, so don't expect any hanky panky during your injections.

British police are currently searching for a man who they are calling "the BOTOX thief." They do not know his name or address, and all they have to help them find this man is an old picture of him taken before his procedure. They have called on the residents of London to help them find this proverbial "needle in a haystack." Good luck.

You might be wondering how a man was able to steal BOTOX treatments. It seems fairly absurd that a person can just walk out on a medical treatment without paying. I've read about many instances of people committing identity theft to pay for plastic surgery. Even that boggles my mind, but I do realize that there are many savvy individuals out there who can flawlessly pull off such a scam. But to just walk out without paying? That seems like an amateur move to me. I can't believe it actually worked.

Our thief went to a beauty salon near London and received BOTOX treatments totaling more than $1,400. When it came time to pay, the man fumbled around in his pocket for awhile before telling the salon that he must have left his credit card either in his car or at a nearby gas station. He promised them he would be back with his card in a few minutes and then just walked out. They never saw him again. Shocker.

Police have released a pre-BOTOX picture of the man and are imploring people to come forward with any information they may have on his whereabouts. I guess that since BOTOX yields less dramatic results than a facelift, the "before" photo may still be somewhat accurate, although he will probably look a bit younger now. However, it is generally not the best idea to search for a suspect who has undergone facial plastic surgery with a "before" photo. Not exactly what I'd call stellar police work.

I don't want to harp on the poor job of the London police. In their defense, they were not given very much information to go on, and as they have indicated, this is a most unusual crime. What I would like to comment on is the complete ineptitude of the beauty salon.

This is the 21^st century. We have computers, and I can't remember the last time I saw a business of any kind that didn't use them. Generally, when you call to make an appointment for a service such as a BOTOX treatment, the place providing the service will ask you for your name and phone number at minimum. This information will get logged into their computer.

When a service is medical in nature, even more information should be required of a patient, even if the procedure is being performed at a beauty salon. There are liability issues at stake in a procedure like this. You don't just stick a needle in some guy's face without covering all bases first. It just doesn't work like that -- at least not in the United States.

I'm shocked that the salon didn't require the man to fill out a form asking for his name, address, phone number, email address, insurance information, and possibly other medical-related items such as any known allergies. This seems like it would be standard operating procedure for any establishment before providing such a service. Failure to provide this information should result in denial of treatment. End of story. Any business not asking for this information is highly unprofessional, and I wouldn't trust them to properly administer my treatment.

Then there is the atrocious manner in which the salon botched the handling of payment. I would imagine that before administering a treatment costing over $1,400, they would discuss payment up-front. Most people don't just charge that on a credit card, although I suppose it is possible to do so.

Generally, the form I referenced earlier would probably discuss payment options, asking you to either provide credit card information or sign up for a particular credit service that the business regularly works with. The fact that they carried out such an expensive procedure without any clue how this guy would pay for his treatment seems grossly irresponsible to me, and it ultimately led to the situation that got them stuck footing the bill for this treatment.

Common sense dictates that if you are going to let someone just walk out of your shop on a promise to return with payment, you will ask for some sort of collateral, or at the very least a name, billing address, and phone number. Generally, holding onto the guy's driver's license would seem to be standard protocol for such a situation. But accepting, "I promise I'll come back and pay" with no other assurances or means of contacting the guy is just plain silly.

Ultimately, I think the police should refuse to track this guy down. This crime should be placed in the "you got ripped off because you're an idiot" category. In my opinion, this salon got what it deserves. I hope they learned their lesson. Next time someone tells you he'll be back to pay as soon as he finds his credit card, HOLD ON TO HIS DRIVER'S LICENSE!

If you live in the Dallas, Texas area and would like to schedule a BOTOX treatment, please contact the Dallas plastic surgery office of Dr. Vasdev Rai today. Don't expect to pull any shenanigans like this with Dr. Rai. He will definitely get your payment information before he lets you walk out the door.

Are you unattractive, unemployed, down in the dumps? Do you suffer from low self-confidence from your homely appearance and poor job prospects? Do you feel that your aged and haggard exterior is hindering your job search? If you can honestly answer yes to all these questions AND you live in New England, then help may be on the way.

A controversial competition is being held right now for Massachusetts and Rhode Island residents, and the winner will receive free BOTOX injections and hair transplants to kick his or her job hunt into overdrive.

This competition is only open to a select class of people. In order to enter, you must meet the following criteria:

• Live in Massachusetts or Rhode Island
  
• Feel (and I also assume look) unattractive, old, or worn out
  
• Suffer from a lack of self-confidence as a result of your appearance
  
• Be unemployed
  

Individuals who wish to enter the contest must submit photos and personal statements to a website. In your application, you must persuasively explain in 100 words or less why you are more deserving of these free plastic surgery procedures than all of the other lowly, pathetic, aesthetically challenged applicants in the pool.

A panel of judges will sift through the applications in order to narrow the contestant field down to 20 finalists. After that, the winner will be decided by the general public in an American Idol-style competition.

I'm not sure what they mean by "American Idol-style." Will the 20 finalists have to sing and dance? Will they have to dress up like their favorite celebrity? Will they have to demonstrate some type of talent or skill of any kind? Or will they just put themselves at the mercy of those New England residents with nothing better to do than voyeuristically pray on the misery and misfortune of others? Will this be an "I'm uglier and more pathetic than you" competition, or will the winner need to demonstrate some traditional form of merit?

And, I suppose most importantly, will there be a member of the judging panel who will act as the default Simon Cowell, mercilessly shredding all of the finalists of every morsel of dignity that currently remains part of their fragile and damaged psyche? Since this is American Idol for the unemployed, unattractive, and unhappy, should we just call it American Bum?

The winner will receive free hair restoration surgery and free BOTOX or facial filler treatment. The runner-up also gets free BOTOX or facial filler treatment, but instead of hair plugs, will get six months of free low level laser light therapy. It seems like two lucky losers will boost their job prospects from this rather twisted competition.

The highly controversial competition is being sponsored by Leonard Hair Transplant Associates as part of their 20^th anniversary celebration. They claim that self-confidence is a major factor in landing that ever-so-elusive job offer, and that by enhancing your appearance through these minor, non-invasive plastic surgery procedures, you will boost your confidence to a level that will help you once again become competitive in your job hunt.

Fortunately, I am not the only person outraged by the twistedness of this contest. In fact, many people have criticized Leonard Hair Transplants for putting on this rather unconventional competition, claiming that offering plastic surgery as a contest prize violates traditional doctor/patient relationships. I can think of a variety of other reasons why this farcical, outrageous competition should make your skin crawl, but I will not get into them here.

I will, however, raise one very important question. What kind of message is this contest sending to our down-in-the-dumps job seekers? Are we really trying to make people believe that if they were just a bit more attractive, they would land the job of their dreams?

I have always believed in the merit system. If you are the most qualified person for the job, you will most likely land it. Of course, it would be naive of me to think that jobs are always earned based on ability. I do realize that in the job hunt, it is often who you know rather than what you know that will determine whether or not you are hired.

However, in a time when unemployment is rampant, it would seem more responsible to encourage our unemployed masses to attempt to boost their skills in order to become more employable. If you have ability, you will eventually get hired, even if it does take some time.

To sell someone on a BOTOX pipe dream is cruel. I don't care how pretty your face is, if you don't have the skills, you're still not getting the job -- unless, of course, you have a connection high up in the company. But in that case, you really don't need BOTOX and hair plugs, do you?

If you live in the Providence, Rhode Island area and are unemployed, you most likely can't afford to pay for your BOTOX treatments, so you had better get cranking on your contest application. The entry deadline is only two days away (August 1). But if you are gainfully employed and aren't counting on your BOTOX treatment to land you the job of your dreams, please contact the Providence plastic surgeons at Coastal Plastic Surgery Center today to schedule your initial consultation w/Dr. Goldstein.

You can find just about anything on the Internet these days. While there may be a large amount of trash lurking on websites, if you dig hard enough, you can find a few gems as well. I recently came across one of these gems on a website called heavy.com. It is an animated short entitled "Superficial Friends vs. Plastic Surgery Zombies."

The three and a half minute cartoon is action packed and delivers at every turn. The Superficial Friends consist of five of the most loathed, bratty celebrities tormenting Americans today: Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie, and the Olsen twins.

The cartoon starts with the five "super heroes" leaving their lair, which is modeled after the Hall of Justice found in the 1970's "Super Friends" cartoons that combined most of the major DC Comics superheroes in one show. As they leave their pad, each star is introduced. Highlighting these introductions are scenes of Paris Hilton humping the leg of a criminal like a dog in heat and Nicole Richie sticking her finger down her throat to vomit on a police officer. The narrator informs the viewer that our super heroes are "dedicated to selfishness and social ignorance."

In this particular adventure, the Superficial Friends have traveled to Honduras to get labia widening procedures at a covert plastic surgery lab. The controversial procedure is illegal in America, forcing the Superficial Friends to seek the assistance of the Cat Lady and her black market plastic surgery facility.

It is not long before our heroes discover that the Cat Lady has stolen labias from poor Hondurans for use in these controversial procedures. As they begin to raise a protest, the Cat Lady brings out her army of plastic surgery zombies to attack the Superficial Friends.

Nicole Richie borrows Paris Hilton's "call daddy for anything phone" and recruits her father for assistance. In what is most likely the highlight of the entire short, Lionel Richie appears out of nowhere and begins singing "All Night Long." The plastic surgery zombies clearly are not big fans of his music, and one of them rips Lionel Richie's arms off, causing blood to spurt into the air in projectile fashion.

The Cat Lady then uses her BOTOX ray to freeze the Superficial Friends in their tracks while she steals their Bulemia-o-copter to transport her plastic surgery zombies to Beverly Hills. They are on a mission to destroy all of the plastic surgeons in the area. As the Bulemia-o-copter takes off, it dumps a large pile of vomit on our heroes. Nicole Richie informs the rest of the group that the vomit is left over from her most recent binge -- 27 Tombstone pizzas and some Carl's Junior.

Somehow, the Superficial Friends break free of their vomitous BOTOX shackles and follow the Cat Lady back to Beverly Hills for the final showdown against her plastic surgery zombies. Nicole Richie assaults them with her massive shoe collection, but that does not slow them down as they continue to mercilessly pummel the city's plastic surgeons. Paris Hilton summons a horde of ex-boyfriends to do the job, but they are no match for the zombies and their BOTOX rays.

Things are starting to look bleak for the Superficial Friends. It looks as if the Cat Lady may succeed in ridding Beverly Hills of plastic surgeons. In a last-ditch effort, the Olsen twins combine their superpowers and transform into Bob Saget, who picks up the Cat Lady's BOTOX ray and uses it to destroy her. Plastic surgery has been saved.

The creativity of this piece is undeniable. It is highly entertaining from start to finish. In my opinion, any video where a zombie rips off Lionel Richie's arms to get him to stop singing is worth a watch. And of course, the video included the gratuitous Bob Saget scene that is crucial for the success of anything making fun of the Olsen twins.

Fortunately for Dr. Bray, our heroes were able to save the day before the plastic surgery zombies had their way with him. So if you are in need of a plastic surgery procedure in the Los Angeles or Beverly Hills, California area, please contact the Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center, Inc. today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bray. He does not harvest the body parts of poor Honduran farm workers for use in his procedures.

Since its inception, Christianity has been all about the Benjamins. Despite being considered one of the seven deadly sins, greed has plagued the clergy of various Christian sects throughout its 2000 year history.

This is rather ironic, considering that in his lifetime, Jesus spoke out against greed. Each year at Passover, many people, both Jewish and non-Jewish, would flock to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage to the Holy Temple. It was tradition for pilgrims to make an offering when worshiping at the Temple. However, this offering could not be made in foreign currency, so a group of moneychangers would sell "Temple coinage" and make an excessive profit in the process. Jesus became irate at this practice. Eventually, he overturned all of the moneychangers' tables and drove them out of the Temple. Yet in spite of Jesus' blatant and forceful denouncement of greed, the religion he spawned has succumbed time and again to the allure of riches.

The Crusades were an early example of an atrocity driven by the greed of the Catholic Church. While many may claim that the Crusades were largely driven by a desire to spread the gospel of Jesus throughout the world, in reality it was primarily fueled by the Catholic Church's desire to expand their land, wealth, and power.

In the Middle Ages, with the approval of the Pope, Catholic bishops went around selling indulgences for a profit. Indulgences granted salvation to Catholics who had sinned so that they could go to heaven after they died. The selling of these indulgences became so widespread that the Catholic Church got mired in scandal, and the practice prompted Martin Luther to write his Ninety-Five Theses, which lauched the Protestant Reformation.

Catholicism is not the only culprit when it comes to Christian greed. In the 1980's, American televangelists got into the act as well. Leading the charge were Jimmy Swaggert and Jim and Tammy Bakker, who would repeatedly hold extravagant fundraisers to pay for their airtime. However, there were frequent reports that these televangelists misused this money. In fact, a feud broke out between Swaggert and Bakker, where each exposed the other's extramarital affairs to the American public. This sad chapter in American history ended with Swaggert breaking down in front of his hordes of viewers, making a tear-filled apology on TV.

The 21^st Century has now made its own entry into the litany of greed and financial abuse perpetrated by Christian clergy. A New York City pastor has recently been accused of stealing $84,537 from his church parish over the past three years. He used this money to fund his plastic surgery, Botox injections, and prescription drugs.

When Reverend William Blasingame's parishioners at St. Paul's Memorial Episcopal Church donated money over the past few years, they were led to believe that it was being used for church maintenance and to help needy parishioners. No one suspected that this money was actually being used to smooth out their pastor's frown lines and to give him lips reminiscent of Mick Jagger.

I'm sure Reverend Blasingame thought he was being smart by using this money on Botox. Had he spent it on a brand new Mercedes, people would start asking how he could afford such a fancy car. However, if his cosmetic surgeon was subtle enough, his parishioners would most likely not even notice his youthful new face.

But alas, our greedy pastor got caught. Now he faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted.

I suppose the moral of the story is this: if your pastor is looking more vibrant, virile, and youthful than you remember him, be wary. He may be taking your hard-earned money and using it on Botox. Or maybe your pastor doesn't like needles. Perhaps it might be funding his face lift or liposuction. Just be sure to check the church financial records before blindly offering up your cash into the donation cup.

If you are interested in Botox in the New York City area and do not have to embezzle the funds to pay for your procedure, please contact Dr. George Lefkovits today to schedule a consultation. Dr. Lefkovits does not accept disgraced pastors who rob their parishioners as patients.

For quite some time, there has been mounting evidence that Botox is somewhat of a "jack-of-all-trades" procedure. While it is most commonly used to reduce facial wrinkles caused by aging, there have been many people who use Botox to treat other problems as well.

There have been many studies indicating that Botox can help relieve the symptoms of migraine headaches. Women have also injected Botox into their feet to help reduce the pain caused by wearing high heels. For those people suffering from excessively sweaty armpits, Botox can do wonders for your unsightly, odorific issue so that you do not need to squeegee your shirt halfway through that important meeting at the office.

Last fall, Sharon Stone tried to inject her 8-year-old son with Botox to prevent his feet from smelling. While this use may seem absurd, especially considering it was for a young child, there may be a new use for Botox that can top it on the weirdness scale. A recent study indicates that Botox may help you feel happier.

It's hard to believe that an injection of the toxin found in food poisoning can be a treatment to elevate your mood, but apparently it may be true. An experimental psychologist at Cardiff University in Wales has recently conducted a study to evaluate the effects of Botox on your emotional state. The results show that Botox patients scored much lower on measures of anxiety and depression than patients receiving other facial procedures.

It appears that when Botox is injected into your glabellar frown lines or the furrows between your eyebrows, it can have the added benefit of making you feel happy. The psychologist running the experiment attributes this result to a phenomenon called facial feedback. The theory behind this phenomenon is that when you frown, you will actually feel unhappier simply because you are frowning. Therefore, if your wrinkling has given you severe frown lines causing your face to be in a perpetual frown, you will tend to adopt that mopey disposition all the time, feeling rather crabby, moody, and just downright bummed-out.

On the other hand, if you are constantly smiling, it will ultimately cause you to feel happier. By injecting Botox into your frown lines so that you are forced into an almost perpetual smile, you will eventually believe that you are happy simply because you are smiling. It may sound crazy, but there is a clinical study to support this reasoning.

So before hitting the Prozac or Paxil prescriptions to help your dour mood, you may want to give Botox a shot. It might be a cheaper fix than Prozac, and it won't give you all of the same nasty side effects. I have never heard anyone say that Botox adversely affects your sex life the way antidepressants do, and it is probably safer to suck down those free drinks at an open bar wedding on Botox than on Prozac.

Of course, there might be a downside to always smiling. If you are a teacher, it will be very difficult to inspire fear in misbehaving students when you can't get that perma-grin off of your face. If you are at a funeral, your chipper disposition may be mistaken as callousness in the face of a personal tragedy. But at least you'll feel happy. And don't we all want to feel happy?

If you have a case of the blues, then Botox may just be the cure for you. If you want to learn more about how Botox can start you on your road to happiness, please contact Dr. Paul Angelchik today to schedule a consultation at his Phoenix, Arizona cosmetic surgery office.

Dr. Douglas Halliday, an ear, nose and throat doctor in East Syracuse, New York, was recently fined $20,000 for injecting patients with an unapproved drug that he claimed was Botox. Halliday has been placed on probation for the next three years and can only practice medicine under the supervision of another doctor.

Twelve patients received injections of this fake Botox substance. Currently, there have been no reports of any adverse reactions to the unapproved substance in these injections.

Whether you opt for a major cosmetic surgery procedure such as breast augmentation or a tummy tuck, or simply prefer a more minor treatment such as Botox or Restylane, it is important to understand that all cosmetic surgery procedures carry certain inherent risks. If not performed properly by a trained and ethical cosmetic surgeon, even a minor procedure such as Botox can lead to serious complications.

It is important to always go to a board certified plastic surgeon for all of your cosmetic surgery needs. This will ensure that your surgeon has received the highest possible training in his field and that he adheres to state mandated standards of ethical practices. Your health is too important to risk on a second rate plastic surgeon.

If you are interested in cosmetic surgery in the Phoenix, Arizona area, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Angelchik can provide you with first rate results using only the latest and most advanced techniques and technology in the field. Please contact Dr. Angelchik today to schedule a consultation.

When the economy lightens your bank account, it is common to look for good deals on many of the products you consume. This is a logical idea that will help you save money so that you will not have to eliminate too many luxuries from your lifestyle.

However, when it comes to cosmetic surgery, you generally get what you pay for. Be wary of cosmetic surgeons offering you serious discounts on injectables such as BOTOX, Juvederm, and Restylane.

Frequently, bargain prices on facial fillers and injectables are an indication that you are either receiving a counterfeit or illegally imported product, or you are going to a surgeon who does not have the appropriate experience to perform your procedure.

There are no lower priced, generic alternatives to cosmetic fillers and injectables. Cosmetic surgeons do not receive bulk discounts for purchasing large quantities of these products, and it is almost impossible to purchase these products from a reputable distributor at a discount price. Therefore, cosmetic surgeons have very little room to pass a discount on to patients for injectable procedures.

By getting your filler treatment from a surgeon offering you a bargain rate, you run the following risks:

• Counterfeit or illegally imported fillers can cause serious health risks
  
• Diluted or poorly administered fillers can reduce the effectiveness of your treatment
  
• Unqualified surgeons performing your procedure may result in poor results and possibly increase your risk of health complications
  

Whenever you opt for cosmetic surgery, no matter how minor the procedure may be, it is important to go to a board certified plastic surgeon to ensure the greatest likelihood of successful results. You may pay a little more money, but in the end, it will be worth it. Your health is too important to risk on subpar doctors or treatments.

If you are interested in facial filler treatments in the Dallas, Texas area, please contact Dr. Vasdev Rai today to schedule a consultation.

A 24-year-old woman in China was recently scorned by her lover for undergoing cosmetic surgery. As a result of her facial procedures, the woman no longer resembled her mother. When her boyfriend saw a picture of her parents, he became appalled by this fact, causing him to break up with her on the spot.

The woman, who most likely opted for facial cosmetic surgery to feel better about herself, was devastated by the events that unfolded with her boyfriend. Her already fragile psyche began unraveling, sending her into a downward spiral of desperation and despair.

Fearing future rejection by other men who may not approve of her cosmetic surgery makeover, the woman took drastic action. She forced her 60-year-old mother to undergo several cosmetic surgery procedures so that they would look like they were actually related.

It is quite common for women to turn to a cosmetic surgeon in an attempt to look more like their favorite celebrities. Many women opt for BOTOX in order to have Angelina Jolie's lips, breast augmentation to achieve Scarlet Johansson's perfect cleavage, or a rhinoplasty to get Jessica Alba's nose.

However, it is unheard of for a woman to be forced to undergo plastic surgery to look like someone who has already had their appearance cosmetically altered. Can you imagine someone going to a doctor and saying, "I want Michael Jackson's pasty, artificial-looking, overdone face." Preposterous!

But in the town of Wuhan, China, a similarly absurd request was made of local cosmetic surgeons. By opting for cosmetic surgery that altered the features provided by her genetic code, this woman waived her right to desire a familial resemblance with her mother. If she wanted to look like her mother, she should have kept the hand dealt to her at birth. To force her mother to undergo serious elective surgery that she did not want is unconscionable.

It appears that her mother was satisfied with her natural appearance, because she put up a fight with her daughter over this extreme request. After considerable bullying on the part of her daughter, the mother was forced to take drastic action of her own. She had her daughter committed to a psychiatric ward for mental health treatment. Hopefully, the proper regimen of therapy and medication will help her daughter cope with the trauma of being rejected over her plastic surgery.

Ideal candidates for cosmetic surgery desire their procedure to feel better about themselves. They are not bullied into altering their appearance for the gratification of others. If you live in the New York City area and are interested in cosmetic surgery, please contact Park Plaza Plastic Surgery today to schedule an appointment with Dr. George Lefkovits.

When it comes to choosing a dermatologist for a medical problem, such as psoriasis or acne, we expect we'll be put in the doctor's schedule at some point in the next week or so. We'll sit in the waiting room forever, and finally get called to the examination room where we'll sit or lie on a paper covered table. The dermatologist will come in, maybe a little distracted or harried due to their busy schedule, examine us for five or ten minutes, give us a prescription, then send us on our way. They'll tell us to call them if there are any problems, or if we need our prescription refilled.

However, if we call a dermatologist for a cosmetic issue, such as Botox or Juvederm, the dermatologist will probably be able to see us in a day or two. We may even be told about the valet parking spaces available to us, and other cosmetic procedure-seeking patients like us. Rather than sitting in a Spartan waiting room, we may be ushered into another room with spa-like amenities. The staff will be attentive to our needs, as will the dermatologist. After our Botox treatment, we may be ushered out with all sorts of niceties, and someone will call us the following day to see how we're feeling.

Does this sound fair? Think hard about your answer, because this is the reality with some of the nation's dermatologists these days. While many of them got into dermatology with the misguided notion of wanting to help people with sometimes problematic skin conditions, some of them are now only seeing the lure of money tied into making people look better for six months to a year. In a sense, they're still helping people, but at what cost?

Changing Role or Aberration?

In the second installment in of a series called "The Price of Beauty" the New York Times is doing, this is one of the ideas examined. The dual nature of what it means to be a dermatologist these days, when cosmetic surgery is exploding and the economic benefit can be incredible, as well as still trying to function as a medical professional, such as examining someone whose mole seems to be growing and they're worried about melanoma, seems to be one of the main ideas. The Times also brings up that many skin patients are left waiting while dermatologists cater to those looking for some kind of temporary youthful appearance.

However, they note that though there are millions of cosmetic skin treatments done every year, only a tiny minority of dermatologists give those seeking beauty over medical issues preferential treatment. Be that as it may, those who have separated their medical practice into two different ways of treating patients do give the cosmetic patient the best possible care. These dermatologists have separate office numbers: one that goes straight to voicemail for the medical patients, and one that is answered by a staff member for the cosmetic patients. They give the cosmetic patient better treatment because "they expect that," according to Dr. Donald Richey. He adds, "We are a little bit more sensitive to their needs."

Reasons

One reason this is going on, and one that has been alluded to here, is the money issue. While most, if not all healthcare providers, won't pay for a cosmetic treatment, that hasn't stopped people from reaching into their pockets to pay. The Times article states that while a dermatologist might be reimbursed $60 to $90 for a cancer check that will take ten minutes, a Botox treatment might pay $500 for a ten minute treatment. Not only that, but the dermatologist will get paid that same day. It is also noted that Allergan, the makers of Botox, state the annual net income for a dermatology practice that focuses solely on skin diseases might be $387,198. Those that focus on cosmetic procedures might net $695,850 annually. You can almost see the mindset change of once stalwart physicians happen when presented with these numbers. And giving a 50-something-year-old a youthful appearance is so much more fun than looking at some poor kid with horrible acne, or giving someone a malignant melanoma diagnosis.

Of course, while money is one thing, there is also the fact that this is what the good people seem to want. Melanoma, psoriasis, and acne will always be a part of life. And, yes, these people deserve and require medical care. But more and more people are seeking cosmetic treatments, and they are often repeat customers. For some, money is no object, and they demand certain things, like looking perpetually 30. And we can't fault certain doctors who see this as an opportunity to retire early. Isn't that what we all want? But if that melanoma could have been prevented if the victim could have gotten an appointment just a few days earlier to save them, then that dermatologist needs to rethink why they got into medicine in the first place.

If you are interested learning more about Botox or other injectables, please contact an experienced cosmetic surgeon in your area.

Those of you living in Port St. Lucie, Florida can finally breathe a sigh of relief. After nine days on the run, 23-year-old Kellie Thomas, aka the "Botox Bandit" has been captured. No more will this degenerate seeker of perpetual youth sully your city's good name. No longer will you have to wake up having to endure another day while she-of-the-paralyzed-under-eyes sits in her apartment laughing at society. But, how, you ask, how was this criminal mastermind caught? Before-and-After pictures.

Kellie Thomas, using the alias Ashley Parker, visited the Porlaro Hair and Cosmetic Surgery center on June 10^th. Before she had Botox injected into her lower eyes, Dr. Porlaro snapped a picture of her. Then, after a picture was taken. In all honesty, you can't really see a difference. Actually the best part is her orange braces on her teeth. But we digress.

What Thomas then did was tell the receptionist that she was going out to her car to get her credit card to pay the $1225 bill. Shocker of shockers, she never returned. Dr. Porlaro, obviously furious, decided that the best thing to do was release her Before-and-After shots to the media. She was recognized by lots of people who called in tips. Upon her arrest, Thomas, still with black eyes from the Botox procedure, said she "intended on paying the doctor later." No later date was specified.

From Before-and-After to mugshots. One wonders why these people do it. Thomas is not the first, nor will she be the last, to Botox and dash. It's happened in Arizona, Nevada, and Florida. And so far only women are the suspects. Perhaps because we live in a society where youthful looks rule, and one in which stars behaving badly gets them a slap on the wrist, or maybe it's that people will sacrifice freedom and comfort as long as they can look good during their layoff. Whatever the reason, things like this are sure to keep Botox in the minds of people worrying about wrinkles everywhere. However, while you're imagining what you might look like with wrinkle-free foreheads and eyes, remember the pathetic tale of Kellie Thomas and how she was caught.

If you are interested in Botox, please contact an experienced cosmetic surgeon in your area.

While it's inevitable that the shaky economic market would eventually affect cosmetic surgeons and their patients, some surprising things have popped up due to this. For example, we hear more and more stories of people skipping out on their Botox treatments. We also hear about people who are willing to give up more things in life before they give up their monthly injectable fillers. And now we have the latest turn in the annals of the Great Recession of Ought-Eight: Procedures for the jobless.

The rational thought pattern goes something like this: Those without jobs are turning to cosmetic surgery to look good in the job interview. However, because they're now jobless, they aren't getting facelifts like they may have a few months ago. They're focusing on the cheaper procedures like, again, Botox, laser therapy, and other fillers.

In a study by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), the want for simple procedures is on the rise, even though the US seems to be in a recession and the good people keep losing their jobs. And, while these procedures may be on the rise, cosmetic surgeons who took part in the online study, said their patients are more concerned now than they used to be about how much the procedures cost.

Call it the Great American Going Out of Business Sale, but at least some people will look good.

If you have lost your job and would like to find out which cosmetic procedures might give you an edge over the other one hundred applicants, please contact an experienced cosmetic surgeon in your area.

Few and far between are the people who claim the truly don't like parties. Even the wallflowers like to go to parties to be "The Wallflower." However, the type of party one person attends is vastly different from what another might attend. Besides the run-of-the-mill kegger the college kids are still fond of, other party fads have come and gone. There was the fondue party; the Tupperware party; parties to celebrate various celestial objects (Halley's Comet and Hale-Bop come to mind), and a litany of others (Disco parties?). Perhaps the latest trend is that of the Botox party.

Aimed primarily at women, a Botox party is where a group gets together for food and gossip in the social setting of the local Botox dealer (a.k.a. cosmetic surgeon) to get injections at the same time. Due to the cost of Botox injections, this isn't like plunking down five bucks at the door, or bringing something for the pot luck. This is for those who like their friends, but might like their friends better without wrinkles. (How do you RSVP "I will not attend" when all your friends are going?) By being injected with the botulinum toxin as your friends gather, is that not friendship? These parties have reportedly spread from the major cities into minor hubs and then into the suburbs as Botox injections become more socially acceptable.

Yet, like the concerned adult whose child is going to a party where there may be debauchery afoot, many doctors and groups, such as the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) are not happy about this trend. While Botox is a mostly safe procedure, this is the case because it is performed by qualified clinicians, and not just anyone can do this correctly.

Botox is one of the most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedures performed today. It is used to treat wrinkles around the eyes (crow's feet), nasolabial folds, and other areas of the face. The injection is delivered into the muscle of the area to block the nerve impulses delivered to that area - it's numbed. If your cosmetic surgeon is qualified, then party on. However, the ASAPS also wants you to be able to answer "yes" to the following:

• Have you been asked to provide a complete medical history?
  
• Have you been advised of alternative treatments?
  
• Have you been advised of the risks and given consent?
  
• Is the clinician or doctor qualified to administer Botox treatments?
  
• Is the setting appropriate for the treatment, including being able to handle emergencies?
  
• Do you know what you are being injected with?
  
• Are you willing and able to follow post-treatment instructions?
  
• Will you receive follow-up care?
  

Because there has been some concern about Botox in the news, you absolutely need to be aware of what you are getting into. You must also realize that there are risks involved. It's fine to party, but do it safely. And, because Botox can last for months, you can think back to that glorious day where you and your friends found out just how long party favors can last.

If you are interested in finding out more about Botox, please contact an experienced cosmetic surgeon in your area. Parties of eight or more will have gratuity included in their bill.

After the FDA announced that the side-effects of using Botox were harmful and potentially deadly, another skin care product began "flying off the shelves." This product, Dermaxin, is a topical collagen-booster and wrinkle-relaxant, which allegedly is a safe and effective way to remove wrinkles quickly. It is made by Demestetics Cosmeceuticals, who have seen their sales rise recently.

A "cosmeceutical" is a cosmetic product, often used by cosmetic companies in advertising. The cosmetic industry claims that their anti-aging creams, moisturizers, and other products, have powerful drug-like qualities that are much better than their drug equivalents, in this case, Botox. While testimonials claim these products work, the FDA has stated in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, that they do not recognize any category known as a cosmeceutical, and that that word has "no meaning under the law." Be that as it may, the botulinum scare, as well as the risk of damaged nerves or death, has pushed the public to finding new ways to get rid of unwanted wrinkles.

Dermaxin's Ingredients

• Collagen (Syn-Coll) - A synthetic collagen, which helps replenish the collagen levels in skin. As we age, collagen levels decrease and as it goes, so goes our youthful appearance.
  
• Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate) - There are many cosmetic surgeons that use products containing hyaluronic acid. This is used to hydrate, plump up and moisturize the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. It contains a high water-to-weight ratio.
  
• Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (Matrixyl 3000) - Peptides which stimulate the growth of connective tissue and collagen production. It is reported to be less irritating than some other products.
  
• Retinyl Palmitate (Retinol) - An antioxidant, which may, or may not, increase collagen, skin thickness, elasticity, and DNA. (We have no idea what they mean by increasing DNA.)
  
• Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argirline - Relaxes facial tension, which in turn decreases wrinkles.
  

Clinical results have apparently shown improvement in four weeks. However, after the first ten minutes, "your skin will become firmer by 40%."

Remember folks, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You might as well stick with Oil of Olay if you're looking for an anti-aging moisturizer.

Yes, there are risks with Botox. After all, you're injecting a toxin into your skin. Recent scientific evidence points out that Botox may travel to the brain stem, too. But these are the risks people are willing to take in an effort to put a halt to aging naturally. If Botox isn't your cup of tea, there are other injectable fillers that your cosmetic surgeon would be happy to discuss with you.

If you are interested in Botox, injectable fillers, or other procedures, please contact an experienced cosmetic surgeon in your area.

First they came for the tattooing. Then they came for the body-piercing. Now, Queensland, Australia's authorities are pressing for a ban on giving teens' access to cosmetic surgery. While the bans on tattoos and body-piercing have been around for a while, there is no law against letting teens get cosmetic surgery. Included in this ban are breast enhancement, tummy tuck and Botox injections.

Premier Anna Bligh believes that there are some good reasons, both medically and psychologically, why young girls seek out these procedures, but worries about kids looking to them for pure, unadulterated vanity. Getting corrective surgery is one thing, but there is apparently no good reason why any Young Turk should be able to alter their appearance through cosmetic enhancement.

Freedom of Choice

While it isn't much of a stretch to say that many young women believe their appearance is of the utmost importance, and having access to cosmetic surgery gives them a wider range of options of ways to stand out, authorities believe these girls are too immature to make this kind of a decision. Getting breast enhancing surgery to impress the boys is a bad idea when you're 15. The thing is, most cosmetic surgeons would agree with this.

While the law in the States lets some people as young as 14 get cosmetic surgery, this is done for corrective reasons. It's the kids going off to college where the line is blurred between corrective and elective surgery. This is the time when society often allows these burgeoning adults more freedom to make their own decisions. Yet, impressing the boys when you're 18 or 19 is much different than impressing them when you're still asking your parents for a ride to the mall.

Vanity plays a role in any teenager's life, both male and female. In our hyper-sexualized, 24/7 media cycle, looks seem to be de rigueur on how to get ahead or get what you want. And kids want it all without the wait. No matter how often they're told by their parents to wait a few years to see if they still want something, the children are going to see this as an assault on their personal life. Sometimes the child might wait and change their mind. However, there are some parents who both get sick of the whining and the anger, and simply give in. "You want a boob job? Let me just grab my checkbook."

Maybe the question should really be who are the parents who want their children to get a tummy tuck at such a young age? Is it just up to the kids? Or is it up to the government to make these decisions for both child and parent?

If you are interested in cosmetic surgery, please contact an experienced cosmetic surgeon in your area.

Dr. Mary Dingley, president of the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australia (CPSA), says that Australians have spent nearly $300 million on cosmetic procedures for treatment of sun damage. These procedures include minimally invasive and non-invasive treatments, such as Botox and injectable fillers. Dr. Dingley "expects this area of cosmetic medicine to grow by at least 10% this year."

Wrinkles, skin cancer and sun spots are the results of Australia's harsh climate and, just like the U.S., it isn't only women who are having these procedures done. CPSA reports an 11-20% increase in men seeking cosmetic surgery.

We're Number Two

Because of the Australian drive to smooth out their skin, the U.S. has fallen to the number two per capita spender in the world. Though the U.S. spent billions of dollars in 2007 on non-invasive and minimally invasive cosmetic surgery, Australia is beating us in per capita expenditure.

What's wrong, America? We have harsh climates, too. What makes the Australians look to Botox, Radiesse, and other types of treatments more than you? Do you want to be beaten by another country in this category?

It would seem that because we have Hollywood and a larger population that we would have outspent every country tenfold - at least. Maybe the key to winning the cosmetic surgery battle is to think outside the box. Rather than simply getting an injectable filler to smooth your wrinkles, why not use Radiesse to fill your cheeks? Go ahead and get that microdermabrasion.

And rather than simply wanting to look like some of the movie stars, look at what your own environment is doing to you. Sun, pollution, cigarette smoke, and stress; all the things that are making you look older beyond your years.

Get the cosmetic surgery. Be a patriot. Do it for you, but do it for America, too.

If you are interested in minimally invasive or non-invasive cosmetic surgery for patriotic reasons, and you've thought it through in a rational manner, please contact an experienced cosmetic surgeon in your area. Tell them you're doing it to stem the Australian tide, and you'll get it half off.

Just kidding.