I was watching Jon Stewart tonight and one of the segments on cosmetic surgery for Beverly Hills. In it, Larry Wilmore was making fun of the doctor by asking him which was a better use of money: to support a foster child, or have cosmetic surgery.

It should have been funny – but the doctor was so good at explaining his position that I found myself surprised.

His argument was simple: the cost of any procedure across the length of time you keep it makes it very cost-effective. And let’s face it, changes to your body can last a LONG time.

Whoever thought of a face lift as an amortized expense?

A year ago, if you had asked me if cosmetic surgery was a good idea. I would’ve automatically answered no. But after that little segment, I started realizing in the right situation, even a little nip and tuck could be seen as a business expense.

(And just be clear, I am NOT talking here about reconstructive surgeries that bring new hope to people – I don’t think ANYONE argues that those aren’t worthwhile).

Now no one is saying that a tummy touch should be an income tax deduction, but it is interesting to contemplate that there might be business benefits to cosmetic surgery:

• Youth and good looks are focussed on by the media. Someone who has a job (or wants a job) there can argue that a tweak here and there can improve their business opportunities.
• Even in the business world, executives benefit by having adjustments from time to time to appear more dynamic (and so perceived as worthy of managing a company, for instance).
• And then there’s the cynical side: Ashlee Simpson’s nose job DIID get her on the covers of a few magazines.

But even if you argue that these are bad reasons, and no one should tinker for less than major reasons (such as repairing disfigurement), you’d be surprised how small a group of supporters you’d find.

According to one website, about one third of British women have used Botox.

One third.

And I’m sure that number could be even higher elsewhere, especially image-conscious East Coast and West Coast cities in North America.

So I can talk about the importance of inner beauty, and that it’s the most important thing – but about 30% of British women would disagree with me.

The fact is, whereas I’m personally bothered by the idea of going under the knife to correct a few things just for an business/career/lifestyle advantage, I realize that many people ARE choosing to use Cosmetic Surgery, they feel it’s a benefit, and frankly, it’s their business.

And it’s a BIG business.