Botox and facelifts not just for the famous

from Exmouth Journal

HOLLYWOOD-style vanity seems to be in vogue after a Topsham dentist revealed that increasing numbers of residents are opting for facial cosmetics.

Whiter Bee Gee-style teeth, the eradication of 'crows feet' and wrinkles, face lifts and even increasing the size of your lips are just some of the procedures becoming increasingly popular in the town. Dr Grant McAree, of The Whyte House Practice in Fore Street admitted that high-end specialities in implants and cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery and facial cosmetics - including Botox and facial fillers - are a growing part of his business. He opened the surgery four months ago because he identified Topsham as an area where there was likely to be a 'strong demand for both extreme makeover and cosmetic dentistry'.

He said: "We already have many patients in the standard dentistry and family areas of our practice and the local interest in facial cosmetics has greatly exceeded our original business plan. "One of the most rewarding things about our work is that when a course of treatment has ended, patients tell us how much their confidence has been boosted. Some have even been known to cry they are so happy with their new smile." The Whyte House has only been open for four months and has already built the basis of a highly successful practice and takes advantage of what he calls the 'explosion of interest in cosmetic treatments' while combining it with traditional dentistry.

One patient, a 47 year-old woman from Ferry Road, who wished to remain anonymous, recently had Botox injections and said: "I don't think it's a waste of money - I look younger and it's done my confidence the world of good." Dr McAree's business advisers, Martin Harris of Exeter said: "...it is clear that there is a growing demand for this level of dentistry in the area - so much so that we are already advising him in the establishment of a second surgery in central Exeter which I believe will be widely welcomed.

Beauty industry faces up to e-fencing issue

(photo courtesy of Cover Girl)

from Cosmetic News

Auction websites are back under fire this week following a report from US-based National Retail Federation (NRF) that said stolen beauty products resold online may pose health dangers, listing Cover Girl, Olay (both Procter & Gamble) and RoC (Johnson & Johnson) products among the most common targets of “e-fencing”.

The report comes as the battle against e-fencing is accelerating, particularly in the US, where law enforcement and legislators have been tackling the problem. In January, police in Florida cracked down on a theft ring that stole up to $100m worth of health and beauty products from supermarkets and discount stores, reselling them on auction sites including eBay and at flea markets. And in Colorado this month, legislators attempted to pass a bill that would hold auction sites accountable for the traffic of stolen goods. The bill did not pass, but states including New Jersey and Illinois have already introduced similar laws. According to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, e-fencing costs the US retail industry $35bn a year.

While beauty players have been proactive in confronting the problem of counterfeit and gray market sales—L’Oréal and LVMH both sued eBay last year for damages—e-fencing seems to be emerging as a growing problem.

Ohio-based Procter & Gamble points to raising consumer awareness as a weapon. “Consumers should be extremely cautious […] if an online deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Thieves and other illicit market operators often use internet sites to dupe consumers into buying sub-standard, stolen or counterfeit goods,” the company said in an email statement.

Professor Joshua Bamfield, director at the UK’s Centre for Retail Research, tells CosmeticNews that manufacturers and retailers need to cooperate more closely with online auctioneers. “[They] need to be aware of the e-commerce gray channels of distribution, how they work, and monitor these channels regularly. They [also] need to establish good links with the auction site security people and provide them with quality information about criminal users of the site so action can be taken,” he says. Bamfield nonetheless says that repeated offenses from online auctions should lead to their shutdown.

Scott Slavick, an attorney specialized in counterfeiting and the gray market at US firm Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, says beauty players should privilege advanced tracking technology. Bar codes, microlabels or radiofrequency identification (RFID) are ways of monitoring the movement of merchandise.

But Joe Loomis, president of brand protection at online monitoring firm Net Enforcers, argues that many are reluctant to embrace technological advances. “You would be amazed how many companies do not have the open-mindedness or willingness to consider [using the latest] technology. [They find it] intimidating and outside of their comfort zone […] Until corporations listen and make change, nothing will change,” he tells CosmeticNews. Food for thought.