“Because the economy is bad, these women who are used to getting these treatments will now get them whatever way then can,” says Dr Shino Bay Aguilera to reporters for msnbc.  Other doctors quoted for the story agree and say they now collect payment before they administer an outpatient, non-surgical procedure.

How do Botox bandits pull it off?  They either write a fraudulent check or simply waltz out the door.  The woman in south Florida who was profiled in the story left her purse on the front desk as a diversion, making the staff believe she was walking to a nearby ATM and would return to get the purse.  Of course, she never did and now likely faces criminal charges.

Dr. Samir Pancholi, a cosmetic surgeon in Las Vegas, says this has happened in his office on 3 different ocassions: “The first time, it was a woman in her 50s who came in and got treatment, then said, ‘My purse is in the car, I’ll go grab it and be right back.’ Then she was gone.”

Read the article and see the video on msnbc.com

Researchers funded by Allergan Inc analyzed the results of 50 patients undergoing Botox injections for temporary correction of their glabellar lines.  Doctors concluded that after using Botox every four months for two years, the injection frequency could be extended to 6 months while still remaining effective.

In addition, the study claims that Botox may have work as a preventive measure against wrinkles, which could be important for younger people considering the treatment.  You can read more details in the official online press release from ohsu.edu

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.”

Perhaps it’s important to (briefly) note that a surgical facelift tightens tissues of the lower face, while soft tissue augmentation restores volume, and Botox relaxes wrinkles.

Despite those apparent inconsistencies, the topic is getting lots of media attention: Harper’s Bazaar is the latest to pick it up and interview some of the physicians that say they’re doing liquid face lifts.  The Best Beauty section of their September issue includes before and after pictures and a discussion of professional techniques for administering injectables.  The magazine’s website also has a decent article with some facts and figures about some of the best wrinkle fillers.

Apparently, a liquid facelift isn’t exactly a “touch up” here and there, but a series of several injections.  According to the authors at Harper’s, you can expect to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $4000.  A Florida dermatologist by the name of Dr. Fredric Brandt explains, “I resuspend the face with Botox, lifting up the brows, neck, jawline, and tip of the nose and then fill in and replace volume around the eyes and cheeks.”

The liquid facelift has also been featured on The Doctors (NBC), Rachel Ray Show, New Beauty Magazine, Dr. 90210, FOX News, Cosmetic Surgery Times, and more exposure is said to be in the works.

To get a little extra edge, many job seekers have turned to their hair stylist for a new look or their local Tulsa cosmetic surgeon for Botox or Dysport wrinkle injections.  When you have to compete with young adults just out of college, who often accept a much lower wage, you need to present yourself in the best possible light.

Men and women are using some of their extra time to get a little touchup, with injectables like Botox, a wrinkle filler, or even eyelid surgery.  Botox is the number one minimally invasive cosmetic procedure in the U.S; according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 5 million treatments were done last year. The cost of a single treatment will vary, and it pays to keep an eye out for monthly specials and events.

If you are going for treatments prior to a job interview, give yourself at least 7 days after Botox and other injectables. Remember, doing well on an interview is not only about how you look, but whether you exude confidence about yourself and your ability to do the job.

Ask about our special Botox and Juvederm rebate programs today!

The following statistics illustrate the opinions of the ‘typical’ patient. Who is the ‘typical’ patient?  “A married, working mother between 41-55 years of age with a household income of under $100,000.”

Roughly 70 percent of the respondents claimed that Botox and dermal fillers play an important role in their cosmetic routine.

When asked what their motivation was for pursuing Botox treatment, 34 percent said their appearance looked “stressed” or “angry”. Others said that a friend, family member, or their physician had recommended it, or they were preparing for a social event. 66 percent said they received Botox treatment 2-3 times per year. 72 percent of the respondents chose Botox to treat glabellar lines – the vertical lines that appear between your eyebrows.  

When asked about their motivation to use hyaluronic acid fillers, the majority (63 percent) of patients reported a desire to remove facial wrinkles and folds – mostly the nasolabial folds that travel from the nose to each side of the mouth.

Nearly 70 percent of the respondents who had been treated with Botox also opted for dermal filler treatment.

A full summary of the results is available (in MS Word) here.