INCOME TAXES (DETAILS) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Income Taxes Paid Net	$ 59,900,000	$ 81,100,000	$ 44,600,000
Income Tax Uncertainties Abstract
Income Tax Examination Liability Refund Adjustment From Settlement With Taxing Authority	500,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	5,600,000	900,000	1,700,000
Significant Change In Unrecognized Tax Benefits Is Reasonably Possible Amount Of Unrecorded Benefit	300,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Accrued	300,000	500,000
Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations Abstract
Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit	68,204,000	81,960,000	72,554,000
Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit	8,911,000	(299,000)	4,882,000
Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit	7,903,000	5,659,000	2,704,000
Current Income Tax Expense Benefit	85,018,000	87,320,000	80,140,000
Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit	(9,033,000)	10,455,000	(8,509,000)
Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit	(362,000)	1,444,000	(479,000)
Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit	578,000	(578,000)	0
Deferred income tax benefit	(9,160,000)	12,169,000	(8,749,000)
Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations	76,201,000	98,641,000	71,152,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations Tax Rate Reconciliation Abstract
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes	0.50%	0.50%	0.90%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Nondeductible Expense Share Based Compensation Cost	0.60%	0.50%	0.60%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential	2.20%	1.50%	1.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Tax Contingencies	2.80%	(0.40%)	0.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Disposition Of Business	0.00%	0.00%	4.80%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Nondeductible Expense Other	0.30%	0.30%	0.50%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments	(0.90%)	(0.20%)	(0.50%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Change In Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance	1.10%	2.40%	0.60%
Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations	41.60%	39.60%	42.90%
Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities Abstract
Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals	98,822,000	72,602,000
Deferred Tax Assets Equity Method Investments	15,579,000	13,964,000
Deferred Tax Assets Contingent Payments On Sale Of Subsidiary	10,494,000
Deferred Tax Assets Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Securities Gross	1,726,000	2,089,000	2,900,000
Deferred Tax Assets Goodwill And Intangible Assets Intangible Assets	78,601,000	72,560,000
Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits Share Based Compensation Cost	14,567,000	16,545,000
Deferred Tax Assets Other	1,380,000	469,000
Deferred Tax Assets Capital Loss Carryforwards	1,590,000
Deferred Tax Assets Gross Current	85,927,000	70,461,000
Deferred Tax Assets Gross Noncurrent	136,832,000	107,768,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities Financing Arrangements	(62,544,000)	(53,324,000)
Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment	(5,297,000)	(3,941,000)
Deferred Tax Liabilities Current	(62,544,000)	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent	(5,297,000)	(57,265,000)
Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance Current	(10,663,000)	(5,379,000)
Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance Noncurrent	(16,980,000)	(8,226,000)
Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net Current	12,720,000	65,082,000
Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net Noncurrent	114,555,000	42,277,000
Income Tax Effects Allocated Directly To Equity Employee Stock Options	2,226,000	(827,000)	(869,000)
Reconciliation Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Excluding Amounts Pertaining To Examined Tax Returns Roll Forward
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Beginning Balance	1,357,000	2,599,000	2,512,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions	7,786,000	87,000	118,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions	0	0	1,352,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions	(149,000)	(200,000)	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities	(381,000)	(296,000)	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reductions Resulting From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations	0	(833,000)	(1,383,000)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Ending Balance	8,613,000	1,357,000	2,599,000
Option To Acquire Revance Or License Product Under Development [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward Amount	21,000,000
Tax Credit Carryforward Valuation Allowance	7,600,000
Tax Credit Carryforward Deferred Tax Asset	0
Option To Acquire Privately Held US Biotechnology Company [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward Amount	21,900,000
Tax Credit Carryforward Valuation Allowance	7,900,000
Tax Credit Carryforward Deferred Tax Asset	$ 0