Editor's Message
By Paul Winnington, Editorial Director

The "Cash for Clunkers" program has ended, taking at least half a million inefficient cars off the streets and channeling up to $3 billion into the pockets of auto manufacturers and retailers. Despite some lingering questions about the ultimate benefits of the program—it appears that Americans used rebates toward the purchase of more foreign than domestic vehicles—the program is being hailed as a success, overall. It boosted sales, allowed some manufacturing plants to re-open, and may even have positive repercussions for the environment.

Too bad that as Congress and the Obama administration pat themselves on the back for the success of this rebate program, lawmakers are reportedly contemplating a national excise tax on cosmetic procedures. While such a tax has not to my knowledge been formally introduced, reports say that it may be implemented to help defray the costs of a national healthcare overhaul. Apparently, the tax of up to 10 percent would be levied against those procedures currently described by IRS regulations as purely cosmetic and ineligible for tax deductions. That means a 10 percent tax on Botox (inspiring the BoTax moniker), hair transplants, liposuction, and more.

I can't fathom why the government would seek to dis-incentivize this segment of the economy. We're not talking about a tax on cigarettes, sugary snacks, and tanning salons, all of which would have the dual benefit of providing government revenues while discouraging unhealthy behaviors. A cosmetic tax would actually further burden medical professionals who already expect to lose money under a new healthcare framework. Not to mention that patients interested in looking good may be the very ones most likely to exercise, eat well, and otherwise stay healthy, i.e., those least likely to unduly burden the healthcare system.

There is good news for cosmetic dermatologists: signs continue to suggest that the economy is on its way to recovery. As mentioned in

Dr. Crutchfield's article about practice marketing (p. 43), now may be as good as a time as any to think about expanding one's cosmetic offerings. There are new therapies available and more on the way.

For those seeking to learn more about these and other developments in the realm of cosmetic dermatology Practical Dermatology will be jointly sponsoring a new symposium—the Cosmetic Surgery Forum—along with the Dulaney Foundation and Cosmetic Surgery Forum, LLC. Chaired by cosmetic dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, MD, the meeting will be held December 4-6, 2009 in Las Vegas and will feature leaders in the field interacting with attendees in a unique learning environment. Attendees will be eligible to earn CME credits. For more information, log on to CosmeticSurgeryForum.com.