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

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

PARIS, January 7, 2011 - 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
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).

Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Christine Keppler, +49(069)1503-6900, www.merz-aesthetics.com; or Rebecca Farrell, +1-917-715-7840, rfarrell at rxmedyn.com; or Local French media contact: Segolene de Retz, +33(0)06-18-68-36-70, segolene.deretz at yahoo.fr