NEW YORK - Most
women under 50 have not turned their backs, or faces, on cosmetic
beauty-enhancement, despite the state of the economy.
While the
recession continues, a poll of 1,000 women carried out this month showed that
63 percent of those aged 18-34 and 73 percent of women aged 35-49 thought
positively of age-camouflaging procedures.
Of the younger
bracket in favor of cosmetic work, 44 percent said they consider Botox
—administered by syringe to smooth out frown lines — to be a "routine"
procedure, according to a survey conducted by E-Poll Market Research and
commissioned by cable television network Oxygen Media.
"Interest
in plastic surgery remains very strong, despite the economy," said Dr.
Gilbert Lee, a San Diego-based plastic surgeon.
Separate
statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, showed Botox
treatment in the United States increased 8 percent in 2008, though liposuction,
face-lifts and breast augmentations fell markedly.
Although Botox
is popular, bling is better than an enhanced bust nowadays, the poll showed, as
only 22 percent of women aged 18-34 would prefer breast augmentation over a
diamond bracelet.
Finance is not
totally inconsequential, however, with 90 percent of women aged 18-34
preferring a vacation house in Paris than Paris Hilton's body.
Career-building
seems to be a priority to women too these days as 68 percent of 18-34-year-olds
would rather have journalist Katie Couric's career than actress Katie Holmes's
looks.
And only 23
percent of women aged 34-49 said they would rather have $10,000 in cosmetic
procedure than $10,000 in investments.
