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.

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.

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.

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.

According to several cosmetic surgery clinics in Britain, breast enhancement surgery numbers doubled among teenagers last year to almost 600 procedures from the year before. One clinic reportedly performed 31 breast augmentation surgeries two years ago on women 18 and 19 years old. Last year this number jumped to 169. The Hospital Group, which has over a dozen clinics, says their numbers doubled to over 200 procedures last year.

Reasons

While it isn't completely off the mark to understand why some teenagers want to look like their favorite celebrities, the names mentioned are often the biggies of the industry. Jolie, Alba, Biel, and others are the most mentioned in combination with "I want to look like.…" However, we don't normally hear about teens in this country wanting to look like their favorite reality television star. Yet, these are the examples the British story brings up.

For example, 24-year-old Chantelle Houghton, the winner of Celebrity Big Brother 2006, not to be confused with America's version of the show, was the first "non-celebrity" to win the season in Britain. This was apparently huge news. The only thing Houghton was known for before she decided to give it up for reality television's fame was a bit of modeling. However, because of her victory on the show, she was able to stretch that fame for a while with all the typical scenarios that the paparazzi and media celeb watchers love (short marriage to co-star; autobiography that bombed; her alleged quote of "What's a gynecologist?"). The British media reports that since Houghton split with her husband, she has been seen around town with enlarged breasts and possibly lip injections, and vamping for the camera whenever she can.

To sum up: Reality television stars are now powerful people who help influence British teenagers.

Mixed Reaction

While many cosmetic surgeons will perform surgery on 18-year-old women, in both the U.K. and the U.S., there is a company in London called SurgiCare that turns them away until they're 20. Chief executive of SurgiCare, Mark Bury, says, "In some cases these women have not finished developing." He goes on to say that many of the cases in which young women want cosmetic surgery are a "knee-jerk reaction or the result of peer pressure." And, yes, these young women are looking to Chantelle Houghton for fashion guidance, so Mr. Bury may have a point.

Maybe it isn't wrong to want to have the same cheekbones, lips, or breasts as your favorite celebrity. But are reality television stars really celebrities, and if they are, are they the type of person we want our youth emulating?

Anyway, if you would like to know more about breast augmentation, 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.