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Posts Tagged ‘cosmetic’

Dermatology - One of the Most Satisfying Specialties: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

A recent study conducted by UC Davis has found that dermatology ranks as one of the most satisfying medical specialties to practice.  One of the reasons dermatology tops the charts is its diversity, ranging from medical to aesthetic.  This couldn’t be more true for my practice.  Being able to help a patient suffering from acne or skin cancer to advising another on choosing a cosmetic treatment right for them is one aspect of my job that I enjoy immensely.  There is nothing more satisfying than helping patients set and achieve their skin goals, seeing them through the process from beginning to end.  Its the relationships I have with my patients who are of all ages and walks of life that always keep me smiling.

 

Aware of the “Cosmetic Tax”? Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

To help pay for the health care reform bill that is being debated over the next few weeks by the U.S. Senate, users of cosmetic medical treatments have been targeted with a 5% federal tax on such procedures.

You may want to consider opposing the tax for the following reasons:

The tax is punitive and places an additional burden on the middle class – According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, sixty percent of patients considering a cosmetic medical procedure are squarely in the middle class, earning between $30,000 and $90,000 per year. This tax would come on top of increased payroll and income taxes sure to result from health reform’s $849 billion cost, and would penalize those who have made a well-educated and informed decision in consultation with a specialized physician to opt for cosmetic medical treatments because they allow them to express their best self and have been scientifically tested.

The tax discriminates predominantly against women – Medical society data shows that 91 percent of patients seeking cosmetic medical procedures are women. And many of these women are seeking treatment to improve their appearance to enhance their self-image and self-confidence which helps them succeed at work and in other areas of their lives.

The tax does not serve the goals of health reform – President Obama has stated that the goal of health reform is “to enact legislation that offers stability and security to those who have insurance and affordable coverage to those who don’t, and that lowers costs for families, businesses and governments across the country.” Since these procedures are generally not covered by insurance, the proposed tax will not reduce the cost of health care nor will it reduce insurance premiums. Further, it will increase administrative costs for physician offices.

The tax puts cosmetic procedures in the same category as cigarettes and alcohol – so called “sin taxes” on cigarettes and alcohol were imposed to try to change unhealthy behavior and cover the significant costs that these products placed on the health care system. This is logical. But a tax on cosmetic procedures is illogical because they are healthy and merely a responsible form of self-improvement. Furthermore, these procedures do not impact the heath care system since patients pay for these procedures themselves and they are not covered by insurance. People should have the freedom to decide what is best for their personal health care, including our own aesthetic appearance and therefore be free to spend our own, hard-earned money to correct, alter or enhance our appearance responsibly, in consultation with a physician, without being forced to pay an extra tax.

The tax will be impossible to effectively and equitably administer – It is not clear which procedures will be subject to the tax and which will not. Further, the same procedure performed on two different patients could lead to different conclusions concerning application of the tax.

The tax discourages innovation and promotes dangerous and unregulated alternatives – Because only drugs and procedures regulated and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be subject to the tax, manufacturers may choose to circumvent FDA regulation to avoid the tax. Further, patients may seek untested and potentially dangerous treatments from unlicensed practitioners to avoid the tax, including seeking treatment across our borders and overseas.

The bill is currently being debated in the Senate, so if you would like to add your voice to opposing the tax, please visit www.stopcosmetictax.org, where you can write to your local Senators or Representatives and sign a petition against the tax.

 

Important Info about Botox and Dysport (Reloxin)

Monday, May 4th, 2009

The FDA has recently approved the cosmetic use of a new brand of Botulinum Toxin Type A, known as Dysport or Reloxin.  Dysport is a competitor to Botox, which up until now was the only FDA approved wrinkle reduction product of its kind.   Dysport claims to take effect more quickly and could potentially be lower in price than Botox.  It will hit the cosmetic market within the next two months.

The approval of Dysport comes at a time when the FDA has issued new labeleling requirements for all botulinum based drugs, including Botox.  Both products must now carry labels warning that they have the potential to spread to other areas of the body after injection with possibly serious risks.  I want to assure my patients that when used as directed by a trained professional the cosmetic use of these products is safe! The new labels are a reaction to unapproved or “off-label” use, such as overdosing to treat leg or arm muscle spasms.  This unapproved medical use should not be confused with the cosmetic application.  The small amounts used for wrinkle softening and underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis) are safe and not linked to any harmful migration or serious adverse reactions.  I am more than satisfied with the long-term safety studies of this material for aesthetic purposes.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the office.

 

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