Amidst a financial crisis, many patients are opting to postpone and cancel cosmetic surgery.

The financial impact has already materialized in numerous cosmetic clinics in form of employee cutbacks and lesser working hours. The entire industry, which includes Botox, experienced an acute 30-40 percent drop during 2008. This has led to many foreclosures, especially in the areas of Florida and Southern California.

Dr. Felmont Eaves III, vice president of the American Society for Aesthic Plastic Surgery, said “I had patients who called up to cancel the morning of the announcement, worried they would be laid off. When major employers in the region take a hit, it ripples through all the other businesses. And the fourth quarter for us was way off from last year.” Eaves practices in his home-based clinic in Charlotte.

In a recent 2008 poll, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported a 62 percent decrease in overall cosmetic treatments compared to 2007. While all sections of the US were affected, the Midwest fared better than the rest.

“It is very clear the economy is affecting the demand for surgical cosmetic procedures,” according to ASPS president Dr. Richard D’Amico. “We are hearing that from consumers and plastic surgeons.”

 “I’m seeing fewer patients than this time last year. And the trend over the last couple of months has been for patients seeking alternative or less expensive ways of doing procedures,” claimed Dr. J. Barry Bishop from Greenville. “I’ll see patients who’ll say, ‘I really wanted a full facelift but I can’t afford it. Is there an alternative, more economical procedure?’ ”

Clearly, the Botox industry, and the cosmetic industry in general, is in for a rough 2009. But as they said, things are always going to get worst before they get better. With a few financing adjustments in the right areas, Botox clinics will be able to prevail over the current credit crunch.