8/28/08

Fewer patients are coming in for elective procedures, according to a report in last week’s Sacramento Bee. "I think that people are scared. Everything’s going up. Costs are going up. People are watching their pennies," says William Rassman, MD, a plastic surgeon at the New Hair Institute in San Jose and Los Angeles. Business is down 30% to 40%, he adds.

This year, many plastic surgeons say they are booking fewer surgical procedures, such as facelifts and breast augmentations, according to the newspaper. At the same time, less expensive nonsurgical procedures, such as microdermabrasion and injectables such as Botox, are gaining in popularity.

According to a June survey by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, 51% of respondents said their patients were more concerned about the costs of cosmetic-related procedures than they were 6 months before.

The article follows the talking points contained in many media stories about the drop in business at aesthetic medicine practices and medical spas, but is worth a look for its detailed anecdotal information about how the slumping economy is affecting some San Francisco- and Sacramento-based locations.

More.

[Source: Sacramento Bee]