Despite struggling economy, medical cosmetics are still profitable

Cosmetic surgeons in Los Angeles and Florida issued statements to propagate their successes following decisions to buy Juvederm and buy Restylane for use at their practices.

Noting that California's unemployment rate is stagnant at just under 11 percent, way above the already distressing national average of 8.2 percent, plastic surgeon Dr. Shervin Aminpour says entertainment industry professionals he's worked on haven't complained about paying for his services. Procedures that are especially popular include eyelid lifts and various wrinkle removal treatments. Although facelifts are still extremely common, Aminpour's office states that more people tend to buy Restylane treatment, and other surgery-free injectable fillers, to de-age their appearance without requiring costly, time-consuming and potentially dangerous surgery.

"It seems that, in the dream-based, but bottom line directed industries of film, television and music, aspiring and working performers are willing to invest in procedures that [may] increase their marketability and future prospects," reads the statement.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), Restylane can be used to smooth out mild to moderate facial creases. It only needs to be injected once every six months to keep up its results. Side-effects include bruising, swelling, redness and, rarely, small bumps under the skin.

In July, a Florida-based plastic surgeon announced that he recommends that his patients buy Juvederm treatments if they want to look younger. The ASAPS describes Juvederm much the same way it does Restylane, as normally costing $600 per syringe, and with all the same side effects.

Scientists investigate motivations behind cosmetic medicine

About four months ago, a Turkish study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal indicated the type of facial features women tend to want altered as they age. Women under 30 gravitate towards procedures relating to the nose, as opposed to individuals between 30 and 50 who focus on the area of skin around their eyes. Researchers did not include men in the study.

"We wanted to better understand why patients desire to alter their facial features. What is it that leads them to seek so-called perfection? We found that many women are not at peace with what they see in the mirror. Not surprisingly, this dissatisfaction is the strongest motivator for seeking facial aesthetic treatments," said study author Billur Sezgin from Gazi University in Turkey.

Almost 8.4 million cosmetic procedures were done in the U.S. in 2011, according to the ASAPS.