No? Better go get one. “Plastic surgery is latest accessory for job seekers,”reports Reuters.
When the going gets tough, some of the tough get going to the plastic surgeon’s office.
The recession clearly took a cut out of plastic surgery in 2008 with U.S. cosmetic surgeries down 9 percent to $11.8 billion, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
But some surgeons and patients are now citing increased interest in surgery among people wanting to look younger and “fresher” for the ever-competitive job market.
Not a bad marketing pivot from “some surgeons” in these uncertain economic times, faced with other, worry-line-deepening headlines like, “Cosmetic surgery feels knife of economy,” and, “Economy nips, tucks plastic surgery business,” and, “A recession result: Living with wrinkles.”
Reuters transcribes this scare/sales pitch from a surgeon who provides something called “wide awake facelifts:” “People cannot only rely on their skills in this market. They want to look refreshed and youthful so they can compete for jobs.” Also in the article? A plug for “Manhattan plastic surgeon Stephen Greenberg” who “saw an opportunity” and “recently began promoting a ‘Job Fighter Package’ for men and women,” which, he notes, some patients are taking out loans to fund.
And finally, Reuters grants surgeon Steven Pearlman a paragraph to make this little pick-me-up pitch:
“People are fed up and are starting to figure that it’s time to live a little. Cosmetic surgery is about investing in yourself. It makes you look good and feel better about yourself, a dozen times a day when you look in the mirror.”
So. Got a face for radio? Better go get it lifted.
Liz Cox Barrett is a writer at CJR.