PlasticSurgery

Starting in July of 2013, New Jersey residents getting botox injections, breast implants, and other various nips and tucks will be able to get the procedures tax-free thanks to a bill signed today by Governor Chris Christie.

Despite the recession, the cosmetic procedure industry has continued to grow across the board, with injectables creating a whole new business line in the industry of youthful appearance. But what do patients really get out of these procedures -- and are they worth the money?

When it comes to the out-of-pocket cost of medical procedures, several financial services companies -- not to mention health care providers themselves -- are willing to offer lines of credit. But patient beware: Plunking down your credit card to pay for any major medical expense, cosmetic or otherwise, can leave your finances with some pretty ugly scars.

Heidi Montag is looking for a new body and she is willing to pay big bucks to get it. Reportedly, she had 10 procedures done in the month of November to look "perfect." According to People Magazine, she did all the procedures in one day because she did not want to go under anesthesia multiple...

NOTE: this story was updated on Dec. 21 to reflect breaking news Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the most taxed of them all? Well, it was nearly Americans seeking to lift a little "here" and tuck just a bit "there" as these people faced paying 5% more than they expected. The tax, included...

Sometimes frugality takes a backseat to vanity. Despite unemployment hovering close to 10%, people are still willing to open their wallets for cosmetic surgery. "Especially during troubled economic times, patients become even more concerned about their physical appearance, as a way to remain...

According the the America Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2008 was a horrible year for the Botox and boob job industry. Surgical cosmetic procedures in the U.S. dropped from 2,079,032 in 2007 to 1,766, 695 last year, or 15%. Nonsurgical procedures were down 12%. In light of these stats, it...

In the fourth quarter of 2008, sales of Botox fell by 3% compared with the same period in 2007.According to The New York Times, Botox is less hard-hit than many other parts of the cosmetic surgery market because of its relative affordability. Allergan's sales of skin-plumping injections fell 8.8%...

I admit to an addiction to home improvement television, if only to ridicule the victims when the makeover is revealed to resemble an LSD hallucination bummer. However, shows demonstrating how our mean little lives could be transformed by surgery, wardrobe revisions, and habitat rehab are a staple...

It's hard times for everyone. While the economy might have you and me putting off plans for the ski vacation or bathroom remodel, another kind of person is having to hold off on those shiny new breasts or their dream nose. soKe.flace('popeater-popeater_tv_scars', '645', '618');...