'Beauty From a Syringe' - A Necessity, Not a Luxury

PARIS, January 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- 29% of Women(1) Would Buy Fewer or Cheaper Groceries to Have Another Facial Injectable Treatment

A new survey of more than 2,900 women(2) demonstrates that a variety of cultures share a common desire to invest in aesthetic medicine despite a sagging economy. The Merz Aesthetics "Face Value" Beauty Survey, conducted by Harris Interactive among women(2) from France, Italy, Spain, Russia and the United Kingdom, revealed that 45% would agree that aesthetic procedures are a necessity, not a luxury, for which many are willing to sacrifice. In addition to cutting back on groceries, 31% of women(1) said they would seek out a second, or better paying, job to have another facial injectable treatment. Others would be willing to go so far as to forgo vacations (32%) or new clothes, shoes or accessories (39%).

Martin Zugel, Ph.D., chairman of the management board of Merz Pharmaceuticals, will present some of the survey findings during today's breaking news session at the International Master Class on Aging Skin (IMCAS).

"When it comes to beauty, four in five women(2) (80%) think beauty is under each person's control and can be shaped or enhanced. More than half of women(2) (57%) disagree that beauty is in the genes and cannot be created," said Dr. Zugel. "What's more, many women(2) are excited to try the newest aesthetic procedures, including facial injectables, and some see them as a necessary part of their beauty regimen."

"As a plastic surgeon, I was delighted by how many women(2) see the positive effects of investing in the creation of beauty," said Benjamin Ascher, M.D., IMCAS Congresses Scientific Director, Lecturer and Clinical Assistant, Paris Academy and Member of the French Society of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery. "This interest in putting their most beautiful face forward demonstrates how comfortable women are with accentuating their own attributes."

The survey also found that more than half of women(2) (53%) have wrinkles and, of those who do, more than three in five (62%) report that they have sought treatment for their wrinkles. Additionally, more than half of women who have had a facial injectable treatment (57%) report a positive life change as a result.

About the Survey

The survey, conducted online in October 2010 by Harris Interactive and commissioned by Merz, included 2,939 women from France (n=543), the United Kingdom (n=524), Italy (n=667), Spain (n=701), and Russia (n=504) who have experience with, or interest in, using facial injectable treatments of dermal fillers and/or botulinum toxin. Women were asked a variety of questions about their thoughts and feelings related to what makes a woman beautiful, their own personal beauty, and the role of aesthetic procedures in maintaining their appearance. For more information on survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Rebecca Farrell, Medical Dynamics, +1-212-537-9495 or rfarrell@rxmedyn.com.

About Merz Aesthetics

Merz Aesthetics Inc. is a division of Germany based Merz Pharmaceuticals. Merz Aesthetics is headquartered in San Mateo, Calif., and operates subsidiaries in 16 countries and cooperates with more than 30 distributors all over the world.

Founded in 1908, Merz has more than a century of experience in improving people's lives and has deep roots in dermatology. Merz Aesthetics is breaking new scientific ground and is setting future industry standards, bringing doctors and their patients safe and effective products for use in the dermatology and aesthetic treatment. Merz Aesthetics' product portfolio includes Bocouture(R), a Botulinum Toxin Type A free from complexing proteins, as well as Radiesse(R) volumising filler and the BELOTERO(R) family of fillers for use in facial aesthetics. Asclera(R), a sclerosing agent for surface varicose veins, was introduced to the United States in April 2010.

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us -- and our clients -- stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit http://www.harrisinteractive.com.

1) "Women" refers to females ages 18+ who have experience with using facial injectable treatments of dermal fillers and/or botulinum toxin (n=713).

2) "Women" refers to females ages 18+ who have experience with, or interest in, using facial injectable treatments of dermal fillers and/or botulinum toxin (n=2,939).