Gifts of beauty require caution to ensure recipient is ready

The recipient must desire to receive such a present.
By MARIE KUECHEL and PAIGE HERMAN
newbeauty.com
With the holiday season upon us, everyone is looking for the perfect personalized gift. If you're thinking that a beauty boost would be ideal to give, or to add to your own wish list, you're not alone.
Making a gift of cosmetic enhancement is a growing trend, particularly nonsurgical medical treatments like Botox, injectable fillers and even laser hair removal.
With more than 5 million nonsurgical medical treatments to enhance beauty expected for 2005, it's no doubt someone may find the gift of beauty in her stocking this holiday season. But how do you safely, ethically and tastefully wrap up a gift of cosmetic enhancement? There's a lot more to it than just beautiful wrapping.
Special considerations
Before you decide on giving a medical treatment as a gift, consider this advice:
UThe gift must be the recipient's idea, whether it's Botox or breast enhancement or ClearLight to treat acne. The gift recipient -- he or she -- must desire the procedure, and not to please the gift giver or anyone else or not as the result of peer pressure or to try something trendy.
UUnlike most holiday gifts, you cannot exchange or return treatment if you don't like the outcome. Therefore, not only must it be the recipient's idea, but he or she also must fully understand the consequences -- potential risks, including outcomes that may not be predictable. All risks should be explained by a qualified doctor who will perform an examination first and then recommend treatment.
UWhen it comes to qualified doctors, there are standards. The recipient must choose the doctor. Make certain the provider is one who is board certified in the appropriate specialty, like plastic surgery for breast and body procedures, and plastic surgery or dermatology for injectables and skin care. If the procedure is surgical in nature, make certain surgical facilities are fully accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities, Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Ask how often the doctor performs the procedure in question, and ask to see before-and-after results.
UWhen it comes to surgery, remember that the surgeon's fees are not the only cost. Make certain to get as close to an accurate assessment of the cost as possible, including anesthesia and surgical fees. And, be aware that if complications or other unexpected circumstances arise, the cost could end up higher than quoted.
All wrapped up
If giving or asking for an entire treatment sounds a little bit too extravagant, consider this: No ethical doctor will issue a gift certificate for a specific medical treatment but some will issue gift certificates in a dollar amount. The giver may not want to pay for the cost of the entire treatment and instead opt for a cash gift toward that treatment, which is perfectly acceptable and flexible enough in case there is a change of mind; the cash could then be used toward any treatment, doctor or a different gift.
Giving or asking to receive a gift of beauty this holiday season is perfectly acceptable. And, like shopping for any perfect gift, it may take some time.
Remember, it's the thought -- and a lot of cautious planning and contemplation about the treatment and the provider -- that counts.
XPaige Herman and Marie Kuechel are editors of New Beauty, a semi-annual magazine about cosmetic enhancement. Reach them at editors@newbeauty.com.