Saturday, June 21, 2008
Quick! Give me that shot! | 12:16 PM
June 20, 2008
First a Botox jab, then off to job interview
NEW YORK - COSMETIC surgeons have found that the weakening economy is not deterring customers seeking a quick fix.
In fact, it has given rise to a new clientele - people who have lost their jobs and want to look good for interviews.
A study by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) found that demand for simple cosmetic procedures such as Botox injections was on the rise, despite worries of a US recession, although demand for more expensive treatments was down.
'People might not be as well off economically as they used to be, but some of them just aren't willing to put off their appearance,' said ASDS president Darrell Rigel.
An online study of 562 ASDS members found that nearly 63 per cent of them were maintaining a consistent volume of cosmetic-related bookings among existing patients compared to six months ago.
Nearly 32 per cent said the number of new patients making appointments had increased by up to 30 per cent.
But, said Dr Rigel, not only are cosmetic enhancements on the rise, but they are also gaining popularity among an unlikely subset of the population - the recently unemployed.
'We're seeing a lot of people come in here saying, 'I'm back on the job market again, and I've got to look good',' said Dr Rigel. 'They view this as an investment in helping them get a new job.'
But he said the rise in non-invasive cosmetic procedures, such as Botox injections, fillers and laser therapy, may mean people are downsizing from more costly procedures, such as facelifts, which could cost US$10,000 (S$13,000) or more.
REUTERS
Labels: beauty, botox, cosmetic treatment, obsession
