It used to be the case that only the rich ? or the very vain ? had plastic surgery, but with the advent of a host of non-invasive procedures, looking great with a little 'help' has become a lot more mainstream. With a movement away from one big op to a course of high-tech treatments, paying for it all has suddenly become a 21st century dilemma.



Only this week Grazia magazine warned against the dangers of unregulated Botox practitioners, advising that any procedure costing less than ?200 was likely to be of poor quality and possibly dangerous. ?200 three times a year may seem an acceptable price for beauty to some, but add in other regular procedures such as fillers, lip collagen and teeth whitening and the cost can suddenly look high.

"It's become a lifestyle choice for many of us," says Abbi Rouse of online loan brokers, Interfinancial Limited, who admits to being a surgery fan.

"Our mother's generation expected to 'grow old gracefully' but for twenty-, thirty- and beyond-somethings it's becoming a must-have. Personally I've tried Botox ? and liked it ? and investigated a few other procedures, such as Smart-lipo and Fraxel."

The problem comes in paying for the procedures. A steady drip-drip of treatments and pick-me-ups that cost far more than the average facial can leave a hole in savings or a huge credit card bill.

"It's easy to say: 'oh, I'll save up regularly to pay for these things'," says Rouse. "But in reality, it often goes on the credit card and for a procedure that was already expensive, adding interest payments on an uncleared card bill just inflates the price."

Many surgeries offer packages (especially abroad) for combined procedures, but for those looking to have regular low-key treatments rather than one big op, paying for it can be tricky where there are no savings put by and income doesn't cover the expense.

The solution: A Surgery Fund. There isn't a hard and fast rule regarding surgery or non-invasive procedures, but for most women (and a growing legion of men), looking good can be either addictive or something valuable to maintain. Many people report improved confidence and success at work or socially from knowing that they have increased their attractiveness or delayed ageing. So why not take out a loan to cover your forthcoming needs.

"I think it's valid to have a surgery fund," says Rouse. "You would do it for your house: listing all the things that need improvement, borrowing a lump sum, and using it to get stuff fixed over time. The same can count for surgery. Why not?"

Why indeed add items to an expensive credit card when instead a cheap loan for, say ?10,000 could be borrowed and put in a high interest account. Then when it's time to pay for a procedure, the money is already there.

"I was quoted ?2000 for Smart-lipo on my stomach," says Rouse. "That's too little to put on a secured loan, but if I borrow ?6000, I could put aside a 'Botox Fund', flatten my stomach and maybe have some cosmetic dentistry too. People investigate procedures and surgeons but forget to arrange finance and for both if you don't do your research it can all wind up as an expensive mistake."