Cost of plastic surgery set to rise

Plastic surgeons in the US are up in arms over fresh legislation, set to up the price of surgery. 4.7 million people visited botox specialists over the past 12 months with the average customer spending around $400. Previously, the average patient would have been in their late 40s upwards. However, a shift in culture and attitudes towards surgery has lead to a change in consumer behaviour. People as young as their 20s are now beginning to seek medical cosmetic enhancements.

Procedures range from breast enlargements to face lifts. When asked for comment, Senator Harry Reid spoke of the new tax that is set to be put into place next year. If approved, the tax will take effect from January 1st 2010. The idea behind the plans are to create $5.8 billion in revenue over the next decade, in a bid to fund $849 billion worth of health care initiatives.As a result, expensive cosmetic procedures will become even more expensive. According to experts, the tax will effect all procedures “not necessary to ameliorate a deformity arising from, or directly related to, a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or disfiguring disease”.

Most effected, will be middle class, working women who are seen to be the aesthetics’ industry's largest grouping. It is also significant given that 86% of people who undergo such procedures are female.

There are alternatives

In addition to the cost, medical procedures of this nature can prove to be dangerous and intrusive. There are a number of natural alternatives to procedures such as Botox. Products such as the, Rio Laser Lift, proven in its efforts to reduce wrinkles, and to give people tighter, younger looking skin.

Penis enlargement procedures are also extremely popular in the US. Many people are unaware of the natural alternatives that are available to them including a whole host of herbal products.

Anybody who is considering cosmetic surgery is strongly advised to seek the advice of their health practitioner.