Tight times make Botox look like a bargain

Ever heard of the lipstick effect?

When economic times are tough, the theory goes, women head to the cosmetic counter to give their appearance a quick -- and thrifty -- lift, rather than blowing their budgets on jewelry or a new wardrobe.

Something like that may be happening in the land of cosmetic procedures. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, injections of fillers and Botox (above) are going strong. Almost two-thirds of 562 members responding to a survey say bookings are holding steady and nearly a quarter have seen an increase. But half of the doctors reported that patients are more price conscious and almost as many say they think patients are stretching out the time between appointments as a cost-saving strategy.

That's no surprise to Dr. Richard Ehrlichman, a plastic surgeon in Wellesley who did not take part in the poll but sees a similar trend. As those non-surgical wrinkle-removing procedures go up, facelifts, tummy tucks, and breast implants are going down.

"In difficult economic times, people look for something to make them feel better about themselves," he said. "They feel like splurging a little bit without breaking the bank."

Not going under the knife can cost much less. Unlike reconstructive surgery, which insurance pays for, cosmetic work is an out-of-pocket expense. A facelift can come to almost $10,000. But a few Botox injections around the eyes and forehead? That'll be $500 to $800 for up to six months of rejuvenation.

"No one's saying these are substitutes," Ehrlichman said. "It's like eating pasta instead of beef."