“Botax” on Capitol Hill

Page 2045, SEC. 9017. EXCISE TAX ON ELECTIVE COSMETIC MEDICAL PROCEDURES. IRS Publication 502, "any procedure that is directed at improving the patient's appearance and does not meaningfully promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat illness or diseases."

Did you know that the Senate’s Health Care bill had a proposed 5% tax on elective cosmetic surgery? Fillers, implants, reconstructions, teeth whitening and other aesthetic procedures. Dubbed the "Botax" on Capitol Hill, the tax on elective cosmetic surgery first appeared in November, compliments of Sen. Harry Reid, D. Nev. Estimations were that the tax would raise approximately $5.8 billion over 10 years. After a lobbying campaign by plastic surgeons, the AMA, and Allergan, Senate Democrats pulled it from the bill.

Caroline Van Hove, an Allergan spokeswoman, said the tax was discriminatory toward women and that it did nothing to reduce health care costs. "These are elective procedures that middle-class women are paying for out of their own pockets," she said.

While this tax may not have been on your radar, you should consider this - New Jersey adopted a 6% tax on elective medical procedures in 2004, and since the election of the tax the NJ Department of Taxation has experienced a 59% shortfall based on projected revenue estimates. In fact, the original sponsor of the 2004 bill, New Jersey Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, is leading efforts to repeal the tax.

In place of the “Botax”, a trip to the tanning salon would cost 10% more with the Tanning Bed tax, slated to start in July. Reid spokesperson Jim Manley cited studies linking tanning bed use to skin cancer and other risks. HOWEVER, the proposals don't call for a direct allocation of funds to skin cancer prevention.

Skin cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the United States, accounting for more than 1 million new cases annually and costing billions of dollars to detect and treat. The American Cancer Society estimates that skin cancer is also responsible for approximately 12,000 US deaths annually

Just this past July, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer confirmed that artificial tanning devices, similar to excessive sun exposure and cigarette smoking, belong in the highest category of potential cancer risk, "carcinogenic to humans."

As much as I personally and professionally detest tanning of any kind, I am worried that this is a slippery slope. Where will the service tax end? Can we really afford this type of tax? What about your other service related industries – hair, nails, massages, facials, and the pool boy? This is just wrong on so many levels.

“A New Year, A New You - Really?”

My dear friend and skincare guru, John Homer and I ruminated about the state of skincare for 2010 - products and practice. I begged him to do a blog as he is so passionate and eloquent on the subject. Thanks John and enjoy everybody!

It's only the first week in January and we are already seeing numerous ads for all the “supposedly” newer and better skin care products that will make us look fantastic in 2010. But what happened to all of those “new” products launched in 2009? Didn’t they work? Was there some miraculous skincare discovery in December, 2009 we are now just being told about? No. Although there are always a few great new products each year, there are also a lot of “new” poorly formulated, overly hyped products as well. Just because a skincare product is new does not make it the answer to all your skincare needs. So what’s the real secret for 2010? Its skincare basics. Let’s discuss, in order of importance;

1) Sunscreen: Is there a miracle ingredient that will help you ward off wrinkles, skin discolorations and even reduce sagging skin as you age? YES! It’s called SUNSCREEN. I know you have heard this over, and over (and over) again. But absolutely nothing else matters unless you wear a minimum of an SPF 15 (UVA/UVB) every day, rain or shine, summer or winter. Did you know that just 5 minutes of incidental sun a day can damage your skin? Walking to the mailbox or the sun through your car windows is enough to age your skin. If you do nothing else (and it’s never too late to start) protect your skin from the harmful and damaging rays of the sun that can breakdown collagen, discolor your skin and worse yet, cause cancer.

2) Cleansing: This is so basic we don’t even need to talk about it, right? Wrong! Cleansing your face is critical for skin health, especially when we are talking about makeup removal each night. Forget about all the ads telling you mineral makeup is so good for your skin you can sleep in it. Mineral makeup is great, but unless you are taking a disco nap and getting back up to go out in 30 minutes, wash your face before you go to bed. Cleanse with a non-drying, gentle cleanser morning and night to remove the dirt, excess oils, sunscreen and makeup so your skin has a chance to breathe and be healthy.

3) Moisturize & Repair: Most of us go immediately to this step when thinking about what our skin needs to look and feel better. Although important, cleansing our skin and then protecting it from the sun comes first. That said, using serums and moisturizers with peptides and antioxidants is critical. A new miracle ingredient grown high atop the Swiss Alps sounds new and sexy, but it has little benefit for your skin. Peptides are cell communicators, and they tell your skin cells to look and act more normal (read healthy). Antioxidants not only protect your skin from free radical damage but antioxidants worn under (or in) your sunscreen boost the effectiveness of the sunscreen as well as being photo protective. Vitamin C remains one of the best, if not the best, photo protective antioxidant as it protects you against the more harmful UVA (aging) sun rays.

4) Exfoliate: Exfoliating dead layers of skin stimulates new collagen production and helps the products you apply penetrate better for maximum results. Exfoliate your skin bi-weekly at home, preferably at night. Monthly in-office treatments like microdermabrasion or a chemical peel will boost results even further. “Microderm” at-home scrubs can be very effective, but they don’t come close to the professional results achieved with a real in-office microdermabrasion or chemical peel for deep exfoliation. Also, in-office treatments are only as good as your at-home care. Go back to steps one through three above, paying special attention to protecting your freshly exfoliated, highly vulnerable skin from the damaging effects of the sun.

Well, there you have it. Four easy steps to great skin care for 2010. If anything, the “new year, new you” skincare mantra should mean we simplify, and only use those products that we know are proven to be effective. Oh, and it wouldn’t hurt to check the expiration dates on your sunscreen and replace anything that’s expired right now. That’s a great idea!

Happy New Year, and Good Skin Health in 2010!