A flood of reality television shows and media coverage on plastic surgery (search) and cosmetic procedures (search) may have inspired millions to opt for the growing array of face- and figure-enhancing options now available.
A new report shows the number of surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S. rose by 44 percent in 2004 to nearly 11.9 million.
The biggest increase in 2004 was in nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, including wrinkle-erasing injections of Botox (search). Nonsurgical procedures such as Botox, laser hair removal (search), and chemical peels (search) rose by 51 percent over the previous year.
Plastic surgeries such as liposuction (search), breast augmentation, and facelifts grew by 17 percent.
"I believe at least some of this upward trend may be attributable to increased media coverage of plastic surgery in 2004," says Peter Fodor, MD, president of the American Society for Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery, which compiled the report. "People have had many more opportunities to see firsthand what plastic surgery is like and what it can do for others."
Liposuction and Botox were the most popular plastic surgeries and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, respectively, performed in 2004, but the popularity of various procedures varied slightly between men and women.
Top 2004 Surgical and Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures Overall:
Plastic Surgeries:
Liposuction: 478,251; Breast augmentation: 334,052; Eyelid surgery: 290,343; Rhinoplasty: 166,187; Facelift: 157,061
Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures:
Laser hair removal: 1,411,899; Chemical peel: 1,110,401; Microdermabrasion: 1,098,316; Hyaluronic acid (Hylaform, Restylane): 882,469
Top Cosmetic Procedures Among Women:
Plastic Surgeries:
Liposuction: 416,614; Breast augmentation: 334,052; Eyelid surgery: 249,293; Tummy Tuck: 145,315; Facelift: 145,240
Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures:
Botox: 2,525,430; Laser hair removal: 1,215,052; Microdermabrasion: 999,095; Chemical peel: 977,277; Hyaluronic acid (Hylaform, Restylane): 838,917
Top Cosmetic Procedures Among Men:
Plastic Surgeries:
Liposuction: 61,638; Eyelid surgery: 41,050; Rhinoplasty: 38,989; Male breast reduction: 19,636; Hair transplantation: 19,503
Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures:
Botox injection: 311,916; Laser hair removal: 196,847; Chemical peel: 133,124; microdermabrasion: 99,221; Laser skin resurfacing: 69,427
Trends in Cosmetic Procedures
Women accounted for 90 percent of all cosmetic procedures in 2004, and the number of cosmetic procedures performed on women increased by 49 percent compared with 2003. Plastic surgeries increased by 21 percent and nonsurgical procedures rose by 57 percent.
Among men, the number of overall cosmetic procedures rose by 8 percent, although the number of plastic surgeries declined by 11 percent.
Researchers say nearly half of cosmetic procedures were performed in a doctor’s office, nearly 30 percent in freestanding surgical facilities, and 24 percent in hospitals.
Americans spent just under $12.5 billion on cosmetic procedures, with $7.7 billion spent on plastic surgery and $4.7 billion on nonsurgical cosmetic procedures.
By Jennifer Warner, reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD
SOURCE: News release, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
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