Are you thinking about having plastic surgery because you want to enhance your body or facial features? If so, you’re not alone as millions of Americans are choosing surgical cosmetic treatments more now than ever before. From mommy makeovers to liposuction and anti-aging procedures, recently released statistics by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) show that in 2018, there was an upsurge in plastic surgery practices that are still trending this year. Here are five interesting plastic surgery statistics you should know from the experts at Artisan of Beauty. (Image Credit: Irina Gromovataya/Pixabay)
Top Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Statistics
According to the ASPS 2018 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, more than 17.7 million Americans spent $16.5 billion on plastic surgery. The year-on-year statistics report also found that plastic surgery popularity is on the rise among Americans, but the top five procedures that are trending remain the same among cosmetic enhancement seekers.
The most chosen cosmetic procedures in 2018 were breast enhancement, liposuction, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery and abdominoplasty. More than 15.9 million customers also opted for minimally invasive cosmetic procedures that included Botox, tissue and wrinkle fillers, skin chemical peels, permanent laser hair removal and microdermabrasion.
Why is plastic surgery so popular? In the age of body positivity, the ASPS research concludes that consumers see plastic surgery as a means of achieving it. Most notably, plastic surgery like breast augmentation, liposuction and body shaping are measured socially and culturally as the type of procedures that help people look and feel better.
Plastic Surgery Popularity Is Increasing
The ASPS data also shows that 250,000 more people had plastic surgery in 2018 than the year before and has increased quickly during the last few years. Thanks to high-profile celebrities like the Kardashians, noninvasive plastic surgeries like crypolipolysis are gaining in popularity.
Plastic surgery procedures like body sculpting are also gaining in popularity because of changing perspectives on shape and size perfection. From celebrity social media posts to Instagram models who talk openly about their body contouring, plastic surgery is now recognized as a socially acceptable procedure, which is changing the way people view it.
Body perspectives have also changed over time. A recent video released by Buzzfeed showed how body types have changed historically. Their research also showed that modern selfie-friendly clients have turned to plastic surgery procedures like breast or butt augmentation to achieve this standard of perfection, affecting both gender and age.
Breast Augmentation Is Most Chosen Cosmetic Surgery
Breast augmentation overwhelmingly remains the most popular procedure. Why do women get breast implants so often? Some women choose reconstructive plastic surgery after giving birth while others have a medical need after a trauma or ailment like cancer. There is also a group of people who cosmetically want breast augmentation.
Of those who received breast enhancements, 88 percent chose silicone while 12 percent wanted saline implants. The technology has progressed significantly since this procedure was first performed in 1962 by plastic surgeons Frank Gerow and Thomas Cronin. The procedural techniques have also improved, so the breasts have a natural appearance.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulated silicone implants in 1976 and reclassified the implants as a category III classification to improve industry oversight. The medical industry then enhanced plastic surgery standards, both in technique and product material. Silicone is now the chosen material for cosmetic, congenital abnormalities and reconstructions.
Today, surgeries like mastopexy (breast uplift) are gaining popularity as well. These forms of plastic surgery procedure remove the extra skin and reshape the breast tissue. These methods are more prevalent among women who have given birth, breastfed or want to modify the shape, size or outline to improve comfort, confidence or well-being.
Women Get Plastic Surgery Most Often
Plastic surgery is chosen more by women than men. In 2018, 14.7 million cosmetic procedures were performed for women, which came to 92 percent of the total number of patients. The ASPS found that, of this statistic, 13.3 million were minimally invasive and 1.5 million were surgical. Of the 8 percent of men who had plastic surgery, 1.3 million were cosmetic and 1.1 million were minimally invasive.
Other procedures the ASPS noted were gaining in popularity was buttock augmentation and hair transplants, increasing by 10 percent and 19 percent, respectively. While the body sculpting is a primary factor for previously discussed data changes, this statistic suggests that body reshaping or contouring is on the rise because of the need to repair problem areas.
Clients Often Opt for Multiple Procedures at Once
Because many procedures are noninvasive and recovery is minimal, the ASPS found that 2 percent more Americans are opting to have multiple plastic surgery procedures at once. Experts also agree that combining some cosmetic procedures is beneficial, most notably when they are noninvasive or the patient has a large area that needs treatment.
Some plastic surgeons also prefer to perform some forms of cosmetic procedures, such as on the nose and eyelids, because of recovery time. Also, some equipment is so innovative that several plastic surgeries like eyelid swelling, liposuction nonsurgically performed with fat-reduction machinery or nose reshaping are now being considered nonsurgical.
It is because of these specialized advancements and availability of multiple procedures that plastic surgeons now perform some of them together. Safety is the primary factor, but it also reduces the need for prolonged recovery time, costs for appointments and adverse effects from the treatment or anesthesia. Patients also experience better results.
The most commonly combined plastic surgery procedures are breast augmentation with a lift, liposuction with stummy tucks and chin augmentation and rhinoplasty. Plastic surgeons also offer body rejuvenation specials like mommy makeovers that repair, restore or enhance, including breast augmentation, liposuction and tummy tuck.
Are you trying to find the best plastic surgeon in your area? The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery recommends first that you check to ensure the cosmetic surgeon is board certified. You must also take into consideration a surgeon or clinic’s experience, comfort level, operating facility choice and aesthetic results. Artisan of Beauty’s Dr. Neavin cautions that finding the right cosmetic surgeon and getting optimal results will avoid a loss in expenses and recovery time.