Survival of the fittest: execs turn to outpatient cosmetic procedures for a competitive edge.

AuthorKulicke, Heidi
PositionExecutive Living

Utah is known world-over as an outdoor paradise, with skiing, hiking and boating opportunities galore. We may be outdoorsy, but we also care about our looks a great deal. In 2007, Forbes claimed Salt Lake City was the vainest city in America based on the number of plastic surgeons per capita. According to Forbes, there are around 590 plastic surgeons in New York City, four per every 100,000 people. Salt Lake City has about 45 plastic surgeons, equaling six per 100,000 people.

Utahns may love to polish and preserve their appearance--but we are certainly not alone. Reality shows like Extreme Makeover, The Swan and the more recent Bridalplasty have made the occasional nip and tuck seem trivial.

Some executives and professionals are turning to outpatient cosmetic procedures to keep their appearance fresh and give them a boost of confidence when competing with younger workers.

"In a recession it's even more critical to remain competitive. I've had people tell me they have an important interview and need to look better. I haven't seen that in the past" says Dr. Renato Saltz, immediate past president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and owner of Saltz Plastic Surgery and Spa Vittoria.

"People want to look as good as they feel. Executives are highly competitive and want to compete with the up and coming, bringing a refreshed and youthful look to their industry," says Dr. Steven Constantine of the Institute of Facial & Cosmetic Surgery.

Lunchtime Facelift

Money may be tighter in a recession, but that doesn't diminish people's desire to look their best, says Saltz. And consumers now have more options than every before for quick outpatient procedures that are more cost effective than surgery.

Ten years ago, nonsurgical procedures such as fillers, Botox, laser resurfacing, chemical peels and microdermabrasion wouldn't have been available at a plastic surgeon's office, says Saltz. But today, opportunities for these quick procedures are everywhere, including dental spas.

The ASAPS began collecting data in 1997, and since then, surgical procedures have increased 67 percent, while nonsurgical procedures have increased a whopping 225 percent. "It's so popular in this economic downturn because these procedures are less money and postpone surgery," says Constantine.

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"We've seen a huge increase in nonsurgical procedures for both women and men," agrees Saltz. "Botox is number one followed by lasers and...

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