Treatments that you can’t trade down on

By Anna-Marie Solowij

 

According to a press release that landed on my desk recently, wrinkles have now been awarded the disturbing new classification of “worry lines”. This nomenclature, clearly designed to take advantage of our current economic malaise, appeared courtesy of a small chain of cosmetic surgery clinics offering a selection of two-for-one packages: on facial fillers, Botox, brow lift with blepharoplasty and so on. Welcome to the most alarming beauty trend to come out of the recession: cosmetic surgery’s buy-one-get-one-free.

I admit I’m a recent convert (along with friends who have school fees to pay and acquaintances with fixed-rate mortgages) to the delights of discount supermarket Lidl but – although these may be straitened times financially – surely there can never be a good reason to shop for a cosmetic surgery bargain? I feel the same way when people ask me to recommend an inexpensive spa. Would they be prepared to bring their own soap and towel? Accept a cheap massage oil in place of their favourite aromatherapy brand? Allow a trainee to do their facial? No, I thought not.