As the economy rebounds, so is interest in cosmetic plastic surgery, according to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
The latest figures show that cosmetic surgical procedures increased nearly 9% in 2010. More than 1.6 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed in the United States last year, with breast augmentation remaining the most popular. Liposuction, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty, and breast reduction rounded out the top five procedures in 2010.
"Patients who put off surgery because of uncertainty in the economy and the job market are coming back for tried and true procedures," Dr. Felmont Eaves III, ASAPS president, said in a statement. "Growth in demand will likely continue as the recession eases and baby boomers and their offspring begin to explore surgical and nonsurgical options."
But demand for some minimally invasive procedures, such as laser hair removal, dropped in 2010. Overall, cosmetic minimally invasive procedures decreased nearly 9%. A total of 8 million procedures were performed last year, representing about 39% of the total spending on cosmetic surgery. Fewer patients underwent injections of botulinum toxin type A, laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing, and chemical peels than in previous years. However, the number of procedures performed with hyaluronic acid increased.
Cosmetic surgery remains big business. In 2010, Americans spent close to $10.7 billion on cosmetic procedures. The bulk – $6.6 billion – was spent on surgical procedures. An additional $1.9 billion was spent on injectable procedures, $1.8 billion on skin rejuvenation procedures, and nearly $500 million on other nonsurgical procedures.
The 2010 figures are based on a survey of more than 900 plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and otolaryngologists. The ASAPS has compiled cosmetic surgery procedure data since 1997.