Inamed Corporation of Goleta, the well-known maker of breast implants, has announced its acquisition by skin care products manufacturer Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. for approximately $2.8 billion.

Medicis, located in Scottsdale, Ariz., will purchase the local company in a stock/cash deal that would make the resulting company one of the nation’s largest aesthetic firms.

Federal regulators will have to approve the acquisition, which will marry Inamed’s breast implant production with Medicis’ focus on skin products. Stock analysts predicted the merger would be a financial bonanza because of so-called baby boomers’ interest in maintaining their youthful appearance.

In announcing the deal, Inamed predicted that its work force in Goleta would remain substantially the same.

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