“Botax” Expected to Raise $5 Billion Over Next Ten Years

A new Senate bill introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev now includes a 5 percent tax on elective cosmetic surgery.

Millions of Americans who set their sights on procedures such as Botox, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, hair transplants and breast augmentation will now be responsible for paying this cosmetic surgery tax, now known as “botax” on every procedure.

According to WebCPA.com, the cosmetic surgery tax will raise $5 billion over the next decade, and the bill will also include an increase in the Medicare payroll tax for couples earning more than $250,000 a year and for individuals earning over $200,000 – an increase of .5 percent.

Nova Cosmetic Center, a cosmetic and aesthetic center in Orlando, claims that the excise tax is actually a discriminatory tax because “this will not have considerable consequences on the wealthiest patients, but, as usual, affects the middle class. Working women, soccer moms and scores of others who carefully save and budget to improve their appearance and self esteem will be penalized for doing so.”

Dr. Angela Cuzalina, a cosmetic surgeon based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the president-elect of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery also points out out that “You’d be surprised how price sensitive people are to this…It’s a tax against women and the baby boomer generation having these procedures.”  (Source: KaiserHealthNews.com)

Many plastic surgeons say that this will be a “devastating” move because many practices are only just beginning to recover from the effects of the recession. Some cosmetic surgeons and industry professionals are urging patients to contact their State Senator and fight for no government interference in medical care.

Procedures that will be affected by the “botax” include aesthetic treatments such as teeth whitening, Botox and dermal filler injections, some skin tightening treatments, face lifts, hair transplants, and all cosmetic surgery procedures.

Elsevier Releases Illustrated “Aesthetic Plastic Surgery” Book

Elsevier is the world’s leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information, and has recently produced a comprehensive book about aesthetic plastic surgery. The book is full of illustrations and has been created by international contributors to provide a broad view and up-to-date perspective on aesthetic surgery procedures and the state of the industry.

In addition to outlining what the various outcomes of cosmetic surgery procedures are, the text lays out various techniques and innovative tools used to perform advanced procedures including the MACS lift,  endoscopic facelifts, cohesive gel breast augmentation, lipoabdominoplasty and suture suspension threadlifts amongst others. The book also covers, in detail, the procedure and outcomes of Sculptra, Restylane, Botox and Radiesse.

According to Sue Hodgson, Publishing Director for Global Medicine at Elsevier, “All of the major contemporary procedures in aesthetic plastic surgery are covered and described by the experts in the field. It is a resource no surgeon who performs aesthetic procedures can afford to be without.”

The text has been edited and reviewed by several notable plastic surgeons and professors of plastic surgery. The three editors of the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery book are Sherrell Aston, MD, FACS, the past president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York; Douglas Steinbrech, MD, FACS, the Clinical Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at the New York University School of Medicine and an attending surgeon at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York, and Jennifer l. Walden, MD, FACS, an attending surgeon and Program Director in Plastic Surgery at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York.

The book is designed to serve as a practical guide for both beginner and experienced surgeons, and contains the latest information on a wide range of procedures and techniques.

Surgeon Introduces iSurgeon Apple iPhone Application

If you’ve ever wondered what you might look like if you went ahead with plastic surgery, there is now an iPhone application available to help you find out. The iSurgeon application has been designed and launched by Dr. Michael Salzhauer, the author of “My Beautiful Mommy”, a book that stirred up controversy last year because it was designed to teach children ‘deal’ with their mother’s plastic surgery.

The iSurgeon iPhone App allows patients to alter images of themselves to find out what they might look like after undergon plastic surgery. They can pick out different size implants, lip augmentation options, and see what they might look like after a tummy tuck from the convenience of their iPhone. The app will be free for the first month of its release, and can then be downloaded for a fee.

According to Dr. Salzhauer, “iSurgeon serves a dual purpose, providing those interested in cosmetic surgery treatments with a clear visual of what they would look like post-surgery, while also providing a fun entertaining game tool.” (Source: Reuters.com)

The app is capable of rendering realistic images based on a basic uploaded image, and the digital version can be stored on the iPhone for further review by the patient and their plastic surgeons

Another similar app has been developed by Dr. David Shafer of New York. The Shafer Plastic Surgery App was launched in October 2009, also for the Apple iPhone. This app features over 1,000 questions and answers about different cosmetic surgery procedures and is designed primarily for patients looking for more information about different procedures. Patients can send questions directly to the plastic surgeon from their mobile device. The Shafer Plastic Surgery App costs $2.99 for its full version.

More information about common questions and answers related to plastic and cosmetic procedures can be found here.

(Photo courtesy of Apple.com)

“Miss Plastic Pageant” in Hungary Raises Eyebrows

Hungary recently served as the host country for the “Miss Plastic” pageant, a contest that encouraged women who had undergone plastic surgery to show off their best assets on the runway and take home prizes based on the judges’ response. This is the first pageant of its kind to encourage cosmetic surgery as a qualifying criteria for the event, and has sparked criticism and controversy around the world.

According to a recent report in Newser.com, plastic surgery has earned a bad reputation in Hungary, but this pageant may have helped some people become more accepting about procedures. The Huffington Post reports that contestants showed off their face lifts, nose jobs and breast implants in a catwalk style competition.

The primary goal of show organizers was to show how cosmetic and plastic surgery could serve as an enhancement to someone’s lifestyle, and didn’t necessarily have to be about going to an extreme. Plastic surgeon Dr. Tamas Rozsos, a well-known plastic surgeon in Europe, explains that plastic surgery is more about restoring harmony and eliminating asymmetries in the body than it is about creating an entirely new silhouette. He says that many people who have not been accepting of plastic surgery have only seen extreme procedures.

The three-part pageant focused exclusively on the women’s physical attributes – contestants were not required to deliver a speech or share a special skill or talent. The Miss Plastic Pageant was won by a 22-year old hostess Reka Urban. She won an apartment in Budapest, and the first runner up took home a new car. The plastic surgeon that performed the procedure on each winner also received an award and formal recognition for their work at the awards ceremony.

There is no indication whether the Miss Plastic Pageant will become an annual event, but the contest attracted a wide audience and helped position cosmetic and plastic surgery in a more positive light.

New Dermal Filler ‘Belotoro Balance’ Under FDA Review

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing a new dermal filler product called Belotero Balance. If approved, this injectable will join the likes of Juvederm, Perlane, Restylane and Prevelle Silk as an anti-aging treatment for moderate to severe wrinkles.

Belotero Balance is manufactured by Merz Pharmaceuticals, and is a “hyaluronic acid based monophasic gel” that works in a similar way as Restylane and Juvederm Belotoro Balance is designed to treat moderate to severe wrinkles in the face and neck area, and was first launched in Germany in 2005.

The filler has already been approved for aesthetic use as a wrinkle filler in the United Kingdom, Austria, Russia, Italy and Switzerland. The injectable can be used on almost any area of the face, and is designed to smooth out deeper wrinkles and grooves, create more attractive facial contours, and create a more youthful look.

According to Jack Britts, president and CEO of Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC, “The FDA’s acceptance for review of the Belotero Balance PMA begins the application review process and signifies the beginning of Merz Pharmaceutical’s firm footprint in the American aesthetics market.” (Source: Drugs.com)

Belotero Balance is another non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid filler that may be administered on an outpatient basis. Still, there are many things we don’t know about Belotero Balance. There are currently no published reports on whether Belotero Balance lasts longer than  filler such as Restylane and Juvederm,  or whether it is valuable for using as part of a ‘liquid facelift’ treatment.

Since the majority of hyaluronic acid fillers boast little to no complications, Belotero Balance may similarly have a low risk of severe complications, and may also be offered at a more competitive price point – only time will tell, and the United States may need to wait several months until the FDA completes the initial review process.

Demi Moore Denies Ever Having Plastic Surgery

Demi Moore, 46 has been under scrutiny by the media and fans for several years as she seems to show no signs of aging. Some people believe that Demi Moore has had liposuction, breast augmentation, and a facelift to maintain her youthful appearance, but Demi recently told Marie Claire France that “[The rumors] are completely false. I’ve never had it done. I don’t like the idea of having an operation to hold up the aging process. The scalpel won’t make you happy.”

While Demi insists that she stays in great shape by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly, critics are still determined to prove their point. In a recent Twitter debate, doubtful Twitter enthusiasts and bloggers posted their thoughts on whether Demi has had plastic surgery, and Demi defended herself by posting replies and tweeting, “All this garbage that came out today about me is nothing more than an effort to diminish not just me, but all women.”

The Daily Mail reported on Demi’s ‘cosmetic makeover’ back in 2007 after she appeared in her famous black bikini for Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.

According to the Daily Mail, Demi Moore had spent more than £220,000 for her makeover (approximately $363,000). It was at this time that she also started working out with a personal trainer and hired a nutritionist and yoga teacher to keep her in great shape.

Plastic surgeons across the country are speculating whether Ms. Moore has undergone cosmetic procedures, and according to an article from MakeMeHeal.com, experts do believe that the Hollywood star has gone under the knife. Experts contend that she has had the following procedures: liposuction on her hips, thighs and stomach, breast augmentation, a brow lift, collagen injections, dental veneers, a chemical facial skin peel, and knee liposuction to keep her legs looking lean.

FDA Approaches Allergan About Misleading Aczone Ads

Allergan, the makers of Botox and other cosmetic surgery treatments, has recently been approached the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about its marketing and advertising campaign of Aczone, an acne treatment that was announced for the U.S. markets earlier this year.

According to a recent report in the Los Angeles Business Journal, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is claiming that the ads are misleading and that Aczone’s effectiveness is overstated.

The print advertisements ran in magazines and newspapers in Spring 2009 and did not appear again later this year. However, the marketing and advertising campaign did not include information about the (many) risk factors associated with the Aczone treatment, and as a result, Allergan is no longer allowed to run the same ad.

Azone is promoted as a topical gel acne medication that can be prescribed by a dermatologist. Free samples of the product are available online by visiting  and filling out a registration form. The current ads on the website claim that Aczone can produce results in as little as two weeks, and is a “highly effective way to treat acne.”

The safety and side effects section of the website reports that women who are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, women who are breastfeeding, and individuals who have glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency should not use the product and must consult with a medical doctor before pursuing this type of treatment. According to Allergan, Aczone may not be a good match for those who are taking acne medication with benzoyl perozxide.

Side effects of Aczone include redness, oiliness and peeling of the skin, and if the patient uses benzoyl peroxide in conjunction with the Aczone gel, the skin can turn yellow or orange.

These side effects were omitted from the marketing and adveritsing campaign that Allergan ran this spring.

Allergan has been issued a warning and must send a written response to the FDA by August 28, 2009 before the FDA pursues legal action.

Reigning Miss Universe Suspected of Having Cosmetic Surgery

It’s no secret that the Miss Universe competition accepts pageant contestants who have had cosmetic and plastic surgery, but many contestants choose not to disclose whether or not they have actually gone under the knife. For several years, hundreds of pageant winners from around the globe have been having plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures to improve their figures and increase the chances of winning the coveted crown as Miss Universe.

According to a recent report in FoxNews.com, only elective surgery us allowed and is even encouraged during this fierce competition. In fact, many women come out of the competition completely transformed from head to toe, having undergone several surgeries and non-invasive procedures in order to achieve their ideal look. (Source: FoxNews.com)

The Miss Universe website indicates that contestants are permitted to use needles and scalpels in order to increase their chances of winning, and there are no restrictions placed on cosmetic surgery. In recent years, pageant contestants from Asia have been going under the knife to achieve a more Westernized look, while pageant winners from South America have undergone liposuction and cellulite reduction procedures to achieve a more svelte, pageant-ready figure.

This year’s pageant winner Stefania Fernandez, Miss Venezuela has been under scrutiny from the press and pageant fans who claim that she may also have made a few trips to the cosmetic surgeon’s office in order to win her title. Miss Fernandez is just 18 years old, and has neither confirmed or denied that she has undergone a cosmetic makeover during her reign as Miss Venezuela.

The last three Miss Universe titleholders have all undergone plastic surgery. Miss Universe 2008 Dayanara Mendoza underwent rhinoplasty to achieve a more sculpted look. Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori of Japan underwent a lip augmentation procedure and may also have had eyelid surgery. Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera of Puerto Rico also underwent plastic surgery of the nose and forehead to achieve a more sculpted appearance.

(Picture courtesy of Entertainment Daily)

Miss Plastic Hungary 2009 Pageant Set for October

While many people frown upon beauty pageants and the Western ideal of physical perfection, others aren’t afraid to step up to the stage and show off their looks – real, or not. Hungary has announced the first ever plastic surgery patient, only open to women between the ages of 18 and 30 who have undergone at least one cosmetic procedure that required general or local anesthesia. The Miss Plastic Hungary 2009 pageant is scheduled for October and is designed to be a showcase of the latest plastic surgery techniques and options available in Hungary.

Demand for plastic surgery in Hungary has remained steady over the past decade, and women make up the majority of patients. Many Europeans also travel to Hungary to get plastic surgery to save on costs. The Plastic Surgery Channel reports that the cost of a face lift in some parts of Hungary is less than half the price of the same procedure in the United Kingdom.

The Miss Plastic Hungary 2009 pageant is scheduled for October 9, 2009 and has been deemed the first ‘plastic’ beauty contest of the world. The pageant website reports that in addition to meeting the criteria of having had plastic surgery, the contestant must “show a perfect harmony of their body and soul.” The company behind the contest agrees that this is an unconventional beauty contest, and the event will be blogged about and feature live online.

The grand prize winner of the Miss Plastic Hungary 2009 contest will receive a brand new apartment, while the second and third-place winners will receive a valuable prize (yet to be determined). The plastic surgeon that performed the procedures of the winners will also receive a prize. All judging will take place on the day of the event by a professional, pre-selected jury.

U.S. Senate Considers Imposing Federal Tax on Plastic Surgery

In the wake of the 1 trillion dollar healthcare reform initiatives developed by the Obama administration,  the U.S. Senate is discussing the idea of imposing a federal tax on cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures. The U.S. Senate is considering a tax of up to 10% as an excise tax on procedures that are “not deemed medically necessary.”

For the most sought-after surgeries such as liposuction, breast augmentation and facelift surgery that often cost upwards of $10,000, consumers would be paying over $1,000 to cover the cost of the tax. Plastic surgeons worry that the additional cost could prevent many people from undergoing surgery, and that the tax would affect the middle class population the most.

Dr. William Strinden of Lufkin Plastic Surgery recently interviewed with KTRE.com about the tax discussions underway and states: “I think that like most additional expenses it will most likely impact the amount of cosmetic surgery that is done.”

StopBotax.org has been set up to encourage people to petition against such a tax, and points out that the burden of this type of tax would fall on the shoulders of women, the middle class population and medical professionals. Women account for 86 percent of cosmetic surgery patients each year. The middle class population earns an average household income of $30,000 per year, and may also feel the pinch from this type of tax. In some cases, they may simply fore go plastic or cosmetic surgery all together because the price is beyond their budget. Finally, medical professionals may end up closing their doors because of a decline in business, and find it difficult to market their services to their target markets.

Individuals who want to petition against the plastic surgery tax can fill out the form on StopBotax.org with some basic personal information, and indicate whether they are a patient or medical aesthetic professional.