Botox and Juvederm…the New Crack?
What do you call something to which you can get addicted, that must be repeated regularly and for which you’ll spend your last dime to acquire? Crack. Oh wait, I mean Botox and Juvederm (or similar products).
Image Credit: Steven DePolo
In the spirit of full disclosure, I myself have tried these products. It was within the last two years so I am coming from a perspective of both user and truth teller. I’m not against “beauty enhancements” unless they destroy your wealth or become an addiction.
Mind-blowing Data
- The American Society of Plastic Surgeons published the 2012 Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Statistics report, which shows that more than 6 million Botox procedures were performed last year. That’s up 8% from the prior year. Some recession, huh?
- Nearly 93,000 of these procedures were performed on people in their 20′s. WHAT???? Yep, and that was also an 8% increase from the prior year.
- Allergan, the producer of Botox and Juvederm, reported in their 2012 Annual Report that they sold more than $1.7 BILLION of Botox product.
So, What’s the Cost of Crack These Days?
The Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery says:
“The cost for Botox may range from $125 to $400 per treatment area. Multiple areas may be treated at one time, and repeat treatments are needed every three to four months, on average. When it comes to Botox and other injectables, you get what you pay for. Buyer beware: bargain Botox may increase your risk of complications, including poor cosmetic results. If the cost is prohibitive, ask your doctor about payment plans”
…Did I read that right??? Did they say “If the cost is prohibitive, ask your doctor about payment plans”???? REALLY????
Here’s what they say Juvederm will set you back:
“Juvederm cost typically ranges between $800 and $1,300 per syringe, depending on the formula used and other factors. In some cases a second syringe may be needed for a fully satisfactory outcome.” AND, WAIT FOR IT… “If the out-of-pocket cost is more than you can pay all at once, ask your doctor about payment plan options.”
Just Considering the Impact of Botox Costs
Just considering Botox:
- If 6 million procedures were done last year with the average cost of a procedure around $262 and most people get it done every three months, then over $1.5 BILLION was spent last year on Botox injections alone. Hey…that number comes pretty close to what Allergan reported in sales for 2012 so my math must be good.
- When you only consider the 20 something group, if they are using the smallest dosage, they’re spending roughly $46 million each year as a group and it’s growing.
I don’t know how many people finance their addiction, but I’ll bet that it’s a high number. If these are the same people who can’t make their mortgage payment or save for retirement, well, we have a problem here.
For the younger set especially, what would it mean to their long-term health and financial well being to keep the teeny tiny wrinkles and invest the money in a mutual fund? Perhaps it could make them wealthy. Take it from me, wrinkles are a lot easier to ignore when you have a fat bank account.
What’s Your Opinion?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic, please stir up some debate by leaving a comment below!
I invite you to click the Join My Mailing List button below to receive future posts via email. I promise to keep your email private; it’s a matter of respect.
The post Botox and Juvederm…the New Crack? appeared first on Escaping Dodge.