Through candid interviews, the film documents the experiences of models from the 70s and 80s.

“The divergent attitudes among the women about everything from the business of modeling, to aging and plastic surgery, are fascinating and priceless. ”

- The Sundance Film Guide

An excerpt from the film trailer asks Carmen Dell’Orifice: “What is it about plastic surgery and facelifts – what is your sense of that whole world?”

She says “Well, if you had the ceiling falling down in your living room,would you not go an have a repair?”

About Face has several screenings at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, January 19 – 29 in Park City, Utah.

Why would healthy and beauty be growing, while other industries remain flat in the country?

Inexpensive Ego Boosts Are Popular

It could be that people simply need a boost. When unemployment is nearly 23 percent, “inexpensive ego-boosts go a long way” reports PRI’s Marco Werman.

Salon manager Patricia Marquez explains, “a person needs to feel handsome to feel comfortable with themselves, she says. “If they don’t look good it doesn’t matter what they do; you have to feel comfortable in your own skin.”

One theory says that during an uncertain economy, women take refuge in beauty products, especially lipstick, according to Leonard Lauder, chairman of Estee Lauder.

In 2001, Lauder claimed that sales of lipstick go up whenever the economy goes down.

During times of distress, women skip the clothes and shoes, finding satisfaction in simpler beauty enhancements like lipstick.

Analda Santano, who works at the busy Cinema Nails salon, agrees with Lauder’s theory. She explains that people want to be prepared when the economic crisis finally ends and jobs become available. “The well-groomed will be well positioned when opportunity knocks,” she said.

In America, A Similar (But More Expensive) Story

The Daily Beast reports this week on a similar trend back home. “We might be cutting back on basics, but we’re pouring money into our looks,” writes Rebecca Dana, who offers some peculiar statistics about the cosmetic surgery industry:

“Between 2009 and 2010, Americans spent 3.8 percent less on food, 2 percent less on housing, 1.4 percent less on clothes, and 7 percent less on entertainment. At the same time, we spent 1.3 percent more on breast augmentation, 5.1 percent more on lipo, 8.1 percent more on eyelid surgery, and a whopping 24.4 percent more on butt lifts.”

In a recession economy, looking good appears to be a high priority for Americans and Europeans alike. Perhaps it is important to remember the multitude of other ways you can reinvent yourself during uncertain times. You can get an “inexpensive ego boost” from a class, a book, or a new venture. Honing your skills as well as your looks will keep you competitive in the job market.

Bryon Widner was a reformed white supremacist when he decided that facial tattoos were no longer a proper reflection of his identity. Looking like a thug wasn’t in line with his priorities: holding a job and doing his part to support his family.

He needed a solution, which he was fortunate to find through a group called the Southern Poverty Law Center. A donor who was moved by Widner’s story offered to help pay for his tattoo removal procedures.

Dr. Bruce Shack, a plastic surgeon and member of the ASPS, was the doctor who helped Widner remove the signs of his past.

Widner and his wife Julie found Dr. Shack to be the professional and caring physician they needed for such an arduous treatment process.

“He didn’t just see the tattoos; he saw me as a real human being,” Widner told reporters.

The Associated Press story provides details of his procedure:

On June 22, 2009, Widner lay on an operating table, his mind spinning with anxiety and hope. A nurse dabbed numbing gel all over his face. Shack towered over him in protective goggles and injected a local anesthetic. Then he started jabbing Widner’s skin, the laser making a staccato rat-tat-tat sound as it burned through his flesh.

Through 25 laser tattoo removal procedures, Dr. Shack was able to erase the ink from Widner’s face, giving him hope for a normal life. “Anyone who is prepared to put himself through this is bound to do something good with his life,” the doctor said.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

So-called lifestyle drugs are not intended to be cures or traditional treatments. They are marketed as enhancements to address normal conditions like “inadequate eyelashes” or gray hair.

The HealthDay article names several popular medications:

Propecia (finasteride), which began as a stronger-dose drug to treat enlarged prostates, has been prescribed to treat men with male pattern hair loss since 1997; Botox — botulinum toxin — first used to calm spastic eye muscles, was approved to treat frown lines in 2002; and Latisse, initially used to treat glaucoma in the 1990s, became available in 2009 for cosmetic purposes after patients noticed they were also growing longer, thicker eyelashes.

Those who work in health policy are voicing concerns about whether these types of drugs are a poor use of resources or if they promote an unnecessary medicalization of normal, age-related conditions.

For an individual, there’s little or no ethical dilemma regarding the use of medications that enhance appearance or delay the signs of aging. It’s a personal choice.

For a society however, an argument could be made that widespread medicalization of trivial body concerns may lead to mis-prioritization of society’s healthcare resources.

“People can do probably whatever they want, explains health policy professor Dr. Joel Lexchin, “but on a collective level, we have to think about whether producing drugs that enhance people is really the best use of our resources.”

The Food and Drug Administration treats all medications in “an identical manner,” whether they are designed for preventing heart failure or treating wrinkles. What the pharmaceutical companies end up producing depends on the market and the public’s demand for lifestyle drugs.

Read more on the HealthDay article by Maureen Salamon on Womenshealth.gov

After outpatient surgery with anesthesia, older patients are better behind the wheel than younger patients, according to a new study released by the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

The study of 198 patients tested driving ability with a simulator, before and after outpatient surgery under sedation. Researchers checked for driving violations, swerving and other indicators of hindered driving ability.

Weaving and swerving were similar between the two groups, suggesting that the effects of anesthesia had worn off by the time patients were discharged.

The authors also checked how each group, younger and older, managed post-operative pain, and if that affected their driving ability. “We found the amount of pain did not play much importance in the final analysis, but the speed driven did,” said Dr. Asokumar Buvanendran, the lead investigator. “Older patients drove slower and had corresponding better weaving scores because they were able to correct deviations more quickly” he adds.

The researchers suggest that older patients could be more aware of the effects of anesthesia, so they drive more cautiously after outpatient surgery.

According to Buvanendran, as more people undergo ambulatory surgical procedures with short-acting anesthetics, patients are likely to drive before the typical 24-hour waiting period ends. That’s why they decided to perform this research.

Their study was presented at the ASA’s Anesthesiology 2011 meeting in Chicago. The findings have not yet been published in a peer reviewed journal.

The winner will mix and match the cosmetic procedures of their choice until they reach the total prize amount of 25,000 dollars. Whoever lands this jackpot might choose to undergo cosmetic procedures like breast enhancement, tummy tuck, facelift or eyelid lift.

Kathleen McSweeney of Trump Entertainment told the Associated Press: “Many people have something they want to change; a nip and tuck here, a lift there, but the cost of these procedures can be quite costly; this promotion will allow the winner the opportunity to get the procedures of their choice.”

This casino promotion joins the growing list of recent contests that raise ethical questions about patient selection. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has stated in its code of ethics that their members cannot participate in any contest in which the prize is a surgical procedure (requiring an incision).

The winner can, however, choose the cash prize of $25,000 and skip any cosmetic procedures.

Anyone attempting to win this contest (or a contest like it) should ask questions like:

• Who is performing the surgery?
• Is that person board certified in plastic surgery?
• Where is the surgery being performed?
• Do I need to spend the full prize amount on cosmetic procedures? Is there a part cash/part surgery option?

Do you know the answers to these questions? Please leave a comment and tell us.

A quote from the article in USA TODAY:

“While these clinics typically employ plastic surgeons who are either board-certified or up for certification, lawyers, victims and other plastic surgeons say these new-style surgery clinics are under so much sales pressure they often don’t sufficiently screen patients for medical problems, do inadequate follow-up and persuade patients to undergo procedures that are either unnecessary or unlikely to get good results. “

Are you putting yourself at risk if you choose one of these high volume, low cost cosmetic surgery clinics? We asked several respected plastic surgeons to respond to this question:

Detroit plastic surgeon Dr. Ellen Janetzke writes:

I definitely agree that people put themselves at risk at the high volume plastic surgery centers. The patient has no idea who their doctor is and what their credentials truly are. There is very little of the traditional doctor-patient relationship, which I feel is SO vital especially in the plastic surgery field.

Washington DC plastic surgeon Dr. Chris Hess of Fairfax, Virginia also commented:

I think people who really want a procedure but have limited money will find someone to do their surgery. They will overlook the negatives and only focus on the fact that what they want will be done. I think these “high volume” centers are dangerous and prey on this kind of patient.

Dr. Bruce Genter, a plastic surgeon in Philadelphia responded as well:

Safety is the primary concern with all surgery, especially cosmetic surgery which is not medically necessary. Likewise, the doctor-patient relationship is the foundation of our health care system. Patients should be wary of clinics where patient evaluations beyond basic intake and screening information are performed by non- physicians and the patients are unable to consult with the physician who will perform the surgery prior to making a financial commitment. It is unacceptable to not meet your surgeon prior to the day of surgery for an elective, cosmetic operation. How can a patient expect to get quality treatment without an evaluation by the person providing the treatment? Patients should worry if paying money seems to be more of a priority than providing information.

Long Island plastic surgeon Tracy Pfeifer argues that physicians practicing in these centers are violating the medical principle to do no harm:

The key factor is that in these cases, medicine is becoming a commodity. The underlying problem is that the patients are choosing their plastic surgery based on cost alone. The physicians who work for these companies, in my opinion, are in violation of the Hippocratic Oath they took when they became physicians. Often the patient is not treated as a human being but rather as a source of income. It is disgraceful.

Dr. Richard Rand, a Seattle plastic surgeon, says he has seen the consequences of these clinics near his office in Bellevue, Washington.

To assume that you can get the same quality of result, safety, and personalized care from a surgeon at a discount “surgical factory” is naive at best and denies a basic understanding that no two surgeons are equal in talent, training, artistry, ethics, and commitment to care. I have seen many unfixable disasters from such places in my area and have also been aware of a death at a laser liposuction clinic directly across the street from my fully accredited surgery center. The law should step in and shut these places down but it does not. Consequently, even though the discounted prices may be tempting, patients choosing these facilities literally risk their health and maybe even their lives. This is clearly not intelligent and I sincerely hope the message is getting out exposing this growing danger.

Indiana plastic surgeon Dr. David Robinson agreed that corners will be cut at high volume clinics.

I do believe that high volume cosmetic surgery centers do come with increased risk. Their goal of high volume at reduced prices is a recipe for disaster. In order to keep prices low, they often have to cut corners. This can include employing less qualified staff such as non-board certified physicans, some of which are not even surgeons. Many of these individuals also have limited training in cosmetic surgery, often taking weekend courses or receiving training from non-accredited organizations. The facilities may also not be accredited which means they are not held to the rigorous standards put in place by states and the federal government.

It’s a good question for patients to ask, according to a new book written by plastic surgeon Robin Yuan, MD. Behind the Mask, Beneath the Glitter, explores the psychological decisions of cosmetic surgery patients. Dr Yuan says that before a procedure, patients should “know the truth about themselves in the broadest sense.”

By knowing oneself, a patient will be more able to partake in a successful doctor-patient relationship – one in which she is able to articulate her own personal motivating factors for cosmetic surgery. The doctor then becomes more able to focus on specific goals that will make her happy with the result.

Patients who have psychological problems might pursue cosmetic surgery for the wrong reasons, and are therefore unlikely to find increased happiness from a procedure. That’s the commonsense view in the medical community: that cosmetic surgery – enhancement of beauty – can’t cure any serious psychological problem.

A radically opposed view is held by Brazilian plastic surgeon Dr. Ivo Pitanguy. A recent editorial in The New York Times explains his philosophy. Pitanguy argues that beauty and mental health are linked, so the real goal in surgery is to heal the mind.

But a new study seems to contradict his argument with empirical evidence. “Psychosocial changes after cosmetic surgery: a Five-Year Follow-up Study” was designed to find a link between certain “pre-existing patient characteristics” and “poor psychosocial outcomes.” Currently an abstract “sneak peak,” it will be included in the September 2011 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

With questionnaires from 130 female cosmetic surgery patients, the authors measured characteristics like self-esteem, appearance satisfaction, psychological problems, and self-evaluation of the surgical results. Five years after cosmetic surgery, patients generally showed more satisfaction with their appearance and more satisfaction with the operated body part. They also reported “a small increase in self-esteem.”

However, patients in the study who had psychological problems or low self-esteem were less likely to be satisfied with their results.

For men, the most popular cosmetic procedure is probably nose reshaping, he says. Dr. Youn explains the way he does rhinoplasty, with incisions inside the nose and scars that are well-hidden. He says surgery takes only about 2 hours, and recovery is about one week or so.

Eyelid surgery is popular for aging women as well as men. The procedure is typically done to remove puffy bags below the eyes. Dr. Youn explains his technique that takes out the unwanted lower eyelid fat without scars. It heals fast because it is mucosa, he says. It heals quickly, in a similar manner to a wound inside your mouth. The surgery requires about one an hour and 15 minutes, and healing requires about one week.

Women wear bangs to cover up wrinkles, while men wear a goatee to cover up weak chin, Dr. Youn explains. He goes on to shows a chin implant and explains his in-mouth chin augmentation technique. One of the benefits – It’s reversible if you don’t like it. For a more defined jawline, there are also implants and fat grafting.

In women, body contouring surgeries are designed to slim down and create a slender shape, while men want enhanced muscle definition. That’s where VASER liposuction comes in. Using an ultrasonic liposuction system, the doctor sculpts the fat on the tummy to create a six-pack appearance, actually enhancing the definition of the patient’s abdomen. As Dr. Youn states, this is an advanced technique that not all surgeons will offer. Using the special ultrasonic cannula, Dr. Youn uses crisco to demonstrate the “melting” ability of ultrasound assisted lipo.

According to a New York Times article, Chavez appeared on state television last weekend to denounce Venezuela’s burgeoning breast enhancement market, criticizing the amount of money spent on cosmetic procedures and shaming plastic surgeons who Chavez says “convince some women that if they don’t have some big bosoms, they should feel bad.”

Leading Venezuelan plastic surgeon Dr. Ramon Zapata disagreed with Chavez’s take on cosmetic breast surgery, saying, “I don’t think there should be any type of discrimination against these aesthetic procedures.”

El Nacional, an opposition newspaper, unsurprisingly also contested Chavez’s comments, comparing the Venezuelan leader to Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi and saying, “Now comes this antiquated, militaristic, coarse, repressive attitude on the freedom of women to do what they want with their bodies.”

Regardless of whether one agrees with Chavez’s comments, they are well-timed in their delivery. Billboards in the country’s capital advertise loans for plastic surgery, gossip blogs teem with talk about cosmetic enhancement and the Venezuelan Society of Plastic Surgeons estimates that between 30,000 and 40,000 Venezuelan women seek breast implant surgery each year.

Although Chavez has questioned the motives of breast augmentation patients, asking, “What is this, friend?!” he has not yet taken any action to prevent the thousands of Venezuelan women who desire bigger breasts from seeking plastic surgery, nor Venezuelan plastic surgeons from offering the procedure.