Blame the economy for drooping eyelids and sagging jowls.
Fewer people are having plastic surgery. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, there was more than a 12% decrease in total cosmetic procedures nationwide between 2007 and 2008.
Plastic surgeons say it's a reflection of the recession. A complete face lift can cost as much as $10,000. People are either postponing or canceling big makeovers until the economy perks up.
Instead, they're opting for cheaper alternatives. The top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures nationwide in 2008 were Botox injection, laser hair removal, hyaluronic acid procedures, chemical peels and laser skin resurfacing.
Some patients say they can't afford to NOT look good in this ugly economy. Older job seekers are among the cosmetic patients in the central San Joaquin Valley.
That makes sense. Looking younger when you're competing in today's job market can be a necessity -- not a luxury.
But I haven't been able to find a patient to talk about cosmetic procedures and the economic pros and cons to having work done.
I'd love to talk to someone who's downscaled cosmetic procedure plans because of the economy or who's had a cosmetic procedure to help with a job search? Anyone interesting in chatting about this?