The Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australasia (CPSA) reported in December 2008 an increase in injectable treatments despite the global financial crisis.
Dr Gabrielle Caswell, Public Relations Officer of the CPSA, said, that the festive season and summer generally sees an increase in people visiting cosmetic physicians for non-invasive procedures.
“People want to look good for the summer – the main social season of the year. However, it’s not just social reasons – women are also telling us they want to look their best at work. Whether or not this has to do with the competition for jobs in the current climate we cannot be certain,” Dr Caswell said. “Our members continue to report growth, particularly, with injectable treatments, such as anti-wrinkle treatments,”
CPSA members reported, in the society’s 2008 annual survey of members, a year-on-year increase of 16 per cent more women seeking anti-wrinkle treatments. Dermal filler use in 2008 also increased, with those seeking lip treatments rising by 21 per cent, and other areas of the face up by 28 per cent from 2007.
“These increases may be due to the greater selection of medicines now available in Australia, and increased awareness of how they can be used. People want to look youthful without the cost, risk, downtime and permanency associated with surgery,” said Dr Caswell.
Dr Caswell suggested that the “lipstick index” theory – where sales of lipstick and lingerie increase during times of economic hardship – can also be applied to “non-invasive” cosmetic procedures.