July 28, 2009 | Plastic Surgery In The Media
5 minute read
In a time when health care reform is a hot-button issue, an idea floated by a Treasury Department official sparked considerable controversy: a proposed 10% tax on elective cosmetic surgeries, including popular procedures like tummy tucks, breast augmentation, and rhinoplasty. Although reports now suggest the measure may be “off the table,” the proposal reignited an important conversation in both the medical and public spheres.
At Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Eugene, we stand with the many voices in the plastic surgery field that argue against such a tax—not just because of its impracticality, but because of the fundamental inequities it would impose.
Let’s examine the real implications of a cosmetic surgery tax and why it would be unfair, especially to women and working-class patients.
Who Would This Tax Really Affect?
While the perception of plastic surgery may still be linked with celebrities and the ultra-wealthy, the reality is far different. A significant portion of cosmetic procedures in the U.S. are performed on average, working-class people, many of whom carefully budget or finance their surgeries just as they would for any other major expense like a vehicle or a home repair.
According to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), nearly a third of those considering plastic surgery have household incomes under $30,000. And the majority of cosmetic surgery patients are women—over 90%. That means this tax would disproportionately burden women and economically vulnerable individuals.
Why a “Boob Job Tax” is Gender Discrimination in Disguise
The media wasted no time in giving the proposed levy catchy nicknames like the “Botax” or “Boob Job Tax.” But at its core, this is no joke—this kind of taxation would amount to gender-based financial discrimination.
Here’s why:
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Women are the overwhelming majority of cosmetic surgery patients.
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Popular procedures like tummy tucks, breast lifts, and facial rejuvenation are almost exclusively chosen by women.
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Cosmetic enhancement is deeply tied to self-esteem, post-pregnancy recovery, and aging gracefully—areas often directly linked to gender-based societal pressures.
Would lawmakers ever consider a tax on male grooming habits like hair restoration, gym memberships, sports supplements, or designer suits? Doubtful. So why target women for making personal choices about their appearance, especially when those choices often have emotional and psychological benefits?
Cosmetic Surgery Is Often More Than “Elective”
Another reason this tax misses the mark: it fails to recognize that many procedures labeled as ‘cosmetic’ are also functional or restorative.
For example:
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Tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) are not just for aesthetics; they often correct abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti) after pregnancy or weight loss, which can cause back pain and posture issues.
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Breast reduction surgery, frequently categorized as cosmetic, can relieve chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain, and allow for increased physical activity.
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Rhinoplasty can improve not only appearance but airway function.
For patients who experience real medical, emotional, and physical distress, a cosmetic procedure may be life-changing, not just life-enhancing.
Financing Cosmetic Surgery Is Commonplace
As highlighted by Natasha Singer in the New York Times article “Who Is the Real Face of Plastic Surgery?”, the typical cosmetic surgery patient isn’t a millionaire lounging in Beverly Hills. More often, it’s a working mother, a teacher, a nurse, or someone who saves and finances their procedures over time.
Treating these choices as frivolous luxury decisions—worthy of additional taxation—completely ignores the economic diversity of today’s aesthetic patients.
Economic Fallout: A Tax That Could Hurt Small Medical Practices
In addition to being unjust to patients, this tax could also negatively affect local plastic surgery practices like ours here in Eugene. Independent, physician-owned practices are not immune to economic pressures. An additional 10% tax could:
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Decrease patient volume
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Increase administrative burden
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Shift cosmetic procedures out of board-certified, reputable offices into less safe, unregulated settings—potentially compromising patient safety
This could lead to a rise in risky, black-market cosmetic procedures, undermining the very health reform such a tax is meant to support.
Cosmetic Surgery Is a Legitimate Healthcare Choice
We can’t ignore the fact that many people seek plastic surgery for reasons far beyond vanity. Whether it’s a mom regaining confidence after childbirth with a Mommy Makeover, or a man struggling with gynecomastia, these procedures serve a valuable emotional and psychological function.
And isn’t emotional well-being an integral part of health?
By labeling cosmetic surgery as non-essential or superficial, this tax proposal trivializes people’s personal journeys and ignores the science-backed connection between self-esteem and overall wellness.
What the Industry and Patients Are Saying
Plastic surgeons and patient advocacy groups alike have spoken out against the proposal. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) have lobbied against it, stating that the tax would be:
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Regressive, harming low and middle-income individuals the most
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Discriminatory, targeting women disproportionately
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Ineffective, as a source of meaningful health care reform funding
Additionally, they point out that it sets a dangerous precedent—where do we draw the line on taxing elective procedures? Should we tax contact lenses, braces, or fertility treatments next?
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery: Advocating for Patients First
At Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Eugene, we believe patients deserve to make informed, autonomous decisions about their health and appearance—free from unfair financial penalties.
We remain committed to:
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Offering fair and transparent pricing
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Helping patients understand their financing options
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Supporting our community’s access to safe, board-certified cosmetic care
Whether you’re exploring a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, or non-surgical facial rejuvenation, we’re here to support you—not tax you.
Want to Learn More or Schedule a Consultation?
Contact Aesthetic Plastic Surgery at (541) 687-8900 or visit aestheticplasticsurg.org to explore our full range of services. Your journey to confidence, wellness, and beauty shouldn’t come with an extra price tag.
Let’s keep health care reform fair, inclusive, and gender-neutral—because no one should be taxed for wanting to feel comfortable in their own skin.