Reports suggest that cosmetic surgery aficionados are budgeting for regular Botox touch-ups despite the global credit crunch. Some even claimed that consumers are delaying regular bill payments so they can afford their cosmetic luxuries.

For instance, the River Banks Clinic—a dermatological and non-surgical treatment center based in Harpenden—said that it witnessed an increase in Botox treatments amidst the recession.

According to the clinic’s Medical director Dr. Jain, most of the patients opt to make sacrifices in other areas of the household budget instead of foregoing Botox treatments.
 
“Just last week, one patient told me she’d be prepared to give up anything except her Botox treatments,” narrated Dr. Jain. “It would seem that many people are considering this once ‘luxury’ spend as an essential part of their lives and one which they don't intend on giving up just because the country is in recession.”

In the UK, Botox treatments start at roughly £200. And Dr. Jain says that’s an amount that people spend on a shopping spree or a night out. If patients can afford to reduce on these other expenses, they will be able to afford the Botox touch-ups.

However, how the cosmetic drug will perform in the long-run of the recession is another question. Mass layoffs have hits several “big name” companies, including Allergan. The growth prospects of the product for 2009 remains to be unseen. For now, manufacturers and clinics will walk away with what they can—hoping for the best, but ready for the worse.