The report explores a dilemma such as this:  Do we judge a person on his or her personality, character, or competence in the workplace?  Or do we allow a sort of beauty-bias to affect our judgment?  Writers for Newsweek uncover many examples of the latter and theorize about their causes and consequences.

“Looking good is no longer something we can ignore or dismiss as frivolous or vain,” argues reporter Jessica Bennet.  Questions of fairness aside, the statistics support her argument:

• “A good-looking man will make some $250,000 more than his least-attractive counterpart, according to economist Daniel Hamermesh.”
• “Fifty-seven percent of hiring managers told Newsweek that qualified but unattractive candidates are likely to have a harder time landing a job.”
• “More than half of those hiring managers advised spending as much time and money on “making sure they look attractive” as on perfecting a résumé.”

More surprising statistics are cited throughout the report, but what’s more interesting are the biological and psychological explanations for the beauty advantage.  Is our bias an appreciation of the Platonic ideal form?  Are we unconsciously surrounding ourselves with attractive people in order to produce healthy offspring?  It’s unlikely that a single answer can satisfy our curiosity on this topic.

For many people in our generation, it comes down to an individual choice: how far will you go in your pursuit of beauty?  In the continuum of choices you can make to change your appearance, it’s not always clear where to draw the line.  Many people are quite satisfied with little more than a stylish wardrobe or haircut, but not every person begins their pursuit with the same beauty advantage.

The survey, which was different than any previous study by the AACS, posted higher numbers  than ever seen before.  To gather data for the survey, the Academy polled its own members as well as random physicians across the United States.

The past two years have brought an 8 percent increase in cosmetic procedures for AACS members, despite the economic recession.

Procedures that increased markedly include eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty, rhinoplasty, chemical peels and wrinkle fillers.

“As the economy recovers slowly but surely, we are seeing patients come back and feel better about doing some things for themselves that maybe they’d been putting off for a while,” said Mark Berman MD, president of the AACS.

The articles this month look excellent, especially the piece by Dr. Mark Berman and the fitness article about posture by Maria Mercedes.

One section of the site titled Inspired features several patient profiles in which men and women of different ages discuss the impact a cosmetic surgery procedure made on their lives.

Another area of the site is about “Achieving the Look” with cosmetic procedures. Featured articles discuss arm lift surgery, laser treatments, vein treatment, the tummy tuck, and the Brazilian butt lift.

According to the magazine media kit, the website is supposed to include an area where readers can upload a photo and use software to visualize results of a basic procedure, but that feature must still be under development.

Visit the new New You website.

The mag is said to include visually stunning images and cutting-edge information about proven cosmetic procedures, brought to you by the best physicians in the business.

Each issue of New You will offer tips and features like these:

• How the latest cosmetic surgery procedures can enhance your appearance
• How to avoid negative results and stay safe
• How to choose a trustworthy surgeon
• Real patient stories
• Before & after photos
• Interviews with top cosmetic surgeons

Where can I find New You?

The primary distribution of New You will be in the waiting rooms of 2500 practicing cosmetic surgeons. An additional 50,000 copies will be distributed to newsstands and other medical professionals.

For more information, visit newyoumag.com

Just as representatives from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery spoke out against the elective cosmetic tax, people from the Indoor Tanning Association (surely a colorful bunch) are publicly opposing this new tax. Executive director John Overstreet says their industry, which consists mostly of small businesses, has been “thrown under the bus.”

What do you think? Is this a better proposal or just as flawed as the proposed elective cosmetic tax?

One blogger argued that pharmaceutical companies Allergan and Medicis should embrace the tax as a way to enhance PR and increase their lobbying power.  A caller I heard on National Public Radio said he thought the tax would be a good way to “nudge” talented surgeons toward positions in general medicine that need to be filled.

What’s your opinion?

Cosmetic and plastic surgeons have spoken publicly against the addition of this tax and shared many arguments against it.  Here are 5 of those arguments.

• Discriminatory: Women purchase 86 percent of all cosmetic medical procedures in the United States.

• Targets middle class America: In a 2005 ASPS survey of people planning cosmetic surgery, 60 percent of the respondents reported incomes of $30,000 to $90,000 a year.

• Historically ineffective: New Jersey implemented a similar tax in 2004 and it fell drastically short (59 percent) of its projected revenue.

• Line between reconstructive and cosmetic isn’t always clear: the tax imposes the burden of making clear distinctions between procedures that are medically necessary and simply elective.  Who will make these distinctions?

• Could promote medical tourism: Patient safety is a major priority; keeping costs down will discourage Americans from seeking risky cosmetic surgeries abroad.

The theory behind this procedure posits that Botox injections can relax muscles and affect a woman’s posture in such a way that simulates lifting of the breasts.  Although the breast lift is popular and effective, and Botox offers a relatively easy fix for wrinkles, the so-called Botox Breast Lift is not a cost effective cosmetic treatment people should consider.

Reporter Liz Bonis asks Dr. Mark Mandell-Brown about the procedure and he says the basic sales pitch is, “rather than spending four or five or ten thousand dollars on a breast lift, lets do $200-$300 of botox.”

Are we just throwing away the 300 dollars then? Boniz Asks.

“Yes.”

Is there any research to support that this would be even remotely effective?

“No. In reality, the tissue’s too heavy for that to happen.”