Cheaper Than Facial Surgery, Botox Cosmetic Injections Surge in Popularity

EL PASO -- Concerns about the economy might cause people to develop more furrowed brows and deeper worry lines, but the shaky times also have many searching for inexpensive ways to iron out those wrinkles.

Dr. Herbert Nassour said the El Paso, Texas, area and the nation have seen a surge in patients interested in getting Botox cosmetic injections, which paralyze selected facial muscles for several months and ease the appearance of wrinkles.

"I'm not thinking it's necessarily because they want Botox itself, more like it's just the economy has everybody spooked," said Nassour, a plastic surgeon. "Instead of having a surgical procedure, they're trying less expensive solutions for some of their problems. Instead of taking out the wrinkles they're covering them up."

He said he has seen fluctuations in the number of clients turning to him for more expensive cosmetic surgery, such as facelifts, in the last year. Ups and downs in those procedures were rare before the economic downturn, he said.

Meanwhile, interest in Botox has climbed steadily at his office and others in the area.

Botox is made from purified protein derived from the Clostridium botulinum bacteria -- the same bacteria that causes the disease botulism.

Dr. Karen Herman, of the Dermatology and Aesthetic Center of El Paso, said interest in Botox waned slightly toward the end of 2008, but has since grown.

"Now that things are getting better (economically) people are more apt to get it done," she said. "With all cosmetic

procedures, that's the one that's stayed the most stable."

Nassour agreed that the difference in price is significant for people choosing Botox. Patients pay about $400 to treat a portion of the forehead with Botox compared to $7,000 to $12,000 for a full facelift.

The effects of Botox, however, last only a few months. Improvements from cosmetic surgery can last for years.

"These men and women know they want it and will do it eventually, but they have their priorities. They have to feed their families. They have bills to pay or jobs to find," Nassour said.

Dr. R. Dale Reynolds said requests for Botox in his office have climbed during the past year, but so have requests for other cosmetic procedures. He said he administers Botox to patients daily.

"People are leery of the big procedures because they aren't sure about the future, but they're still OK with $200 for a Botox treatment," he said.