This just in from the Los Angeles Times (I will resist the temptation to add "where else?" Wait; no I won’t). Make of this what you will . . .

444% . . . . . increase in US cosmetic procedures since 1997

119% . . . . . increase in US surgical cosmetic procedures since 1997

726% . . . . . increase in minimally invasive US cosmetic procedures (Botox injections, laser hair removal, acid wrinkle fillers, skin abrasions, peels . . . ) since 1997

65% . . . . . increase in US ethnic patients opting for cosmetic surgery from 2004 – 2005

20% . . . . . number of all US cosmetic procedures purchased by ethnic or racial minorities in 2005

67% . . . . . increase in US cosmetic procedures performed on African American and Latinos from 2004 – 2005

58% . . . . . increase in US cosmetic procedures performed on Asians from 2004 – 2005

15-20% . . . annual increase in cosmetic surgical procedures performed worldwide over five years