In recent years, more men and women have been thinking outside the box when it comes to gift giving. Literally. Instead of items that can be wrapped such as perfume, makeup palettes, scarves, jewelry and other forms of merchandise, people are giving vouchers or gift cards for Botox and other types of cosmetic procedures.
instead of traditional Christmas shopping, more people are turning to their doctors for gift ideas like Botox and other forms of cosmetic procedures*
The American Academy of Facial, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery has noted an increase in what is being referred to as procedure gifting.
Plastic Surgery.org mentioned that the holiday season is quite busy for doctors who perform cosmetic procedures. Besides gift giving, this is when individuals have more time off. Therefore, winter vacation time is convenient for any recovery or downtime that is needed.
According to Yahoo Shine, this trend seems to be most prevalent in Beverly Hills and Orange County. But it is also popular in other cities too. Dr. Julius FEW in Chicago told Elle Magazine that he is now offering electronic gift cards.
Many patients know of friends, relatives or significant others who want to experience a renewed sense of confidence due to looking and feeling better. Since they’be already undergone certain procedures, they would not have to devote much time explaining why Botox works, or the details of other forms of treatments. The results often speak for themselves.
What Types of Procedures Are Being Given As Gifts?
The types of procedures that are being given to loved ones range from chemical peels to major forms of surgery. When Elle wrote on this subject, it was mentioned that mothers might gift laser hair removal. Sisters are more likely to choose some type of injectable. And major procedures like neck tightening and liposuction are common among husbands and wives.
Simon Cowell, who feels that Botox is no more of a big deal than toothpaste, gave this injectable as vouchers to his X-Factor co-panelists in 2010. Here is a video where Louis Walsh discusses this funny experience.
Are There Any Rules or Etiquette To Keep In Mind When Gifting A Cosmetic Procedure?
Collectively, it seems that our modern society is becoming far more accepting of undergoing medical forms of treatment to improve one’s appearance.
With this new attitude, a question to ask is whether or not there are any rules of engagement when it comes to bringing cosmetic procedures into social contexts like holiday giving. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
(1) Be certain that the recipient actually wants the treatment, otherwise it may be taken the wrong way.
Direct discussions are a good way to confirm this. According to ABC News, many women are quite comfortable giving Botox as a gift for their husbands or boyfriends without asking. But this is usually because they had already heard them complaining about frown lines and the like.
(2) Keep in mind that consultations may be needed to determine if the person is actually a candidate for the procedure. This is certainly the case for more invasive types of procedures. The logistics will need to be carefully thought out. It is likely that you may have to break the tradition of the gift being a surprise on Christmas day.
Here is an example of a patient who underwent a Botox treatment which transformed the way she looked. Click here