Who says the economy is holding anyone back from spending a little extra cash on themselves? For the second year in a row, the number of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures continued to increase. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ (ASPS) 2011 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, more than 13.8 surgical and minimally invasive procedures were performed in 2011 in the United States ― with procedures up 5 percent since 2010 and up 87 percent since 2000.
The top five cosmetic surgical procedures for 2011 are:
Breast augmentation: 307,000 procedures, up 4 percent from 2010
Nose reshaping: 244,000 procedures, down 3 percent
Liposuction: 205,000 procedures, up 1 percent
Eyelid surgery: 196,000 procedures, down 6 percent
Facelift: 119,000 procedures, up 5 percent
Cosmetic surgical procedures increased 2 percent since 2010. Comparing 2010 with 2011, the top five cosmetic surgical procedures differ only slightly, with facelifts replacing tummy tucks. While facelifts experienced a 5 percent increase in 2011, tummy tuck procedures experienced a zero percent change.
The top five minimally-invasive procedures for 2011 are:
Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox, Dysport): 5.7 million procedures, up 5 percent from 2010
Soft tissue fillers: 1.9 million, up 7 percent
Chemical peel: 1.1 million, down 3 percent
Laser hair removal: 1.1 million performed, up 15 percent
Microdermabrasion: 900,000 performed, up 9 percent
Minimally-invasive procedures experienced a 6 percent increase since 2010.
Laser hair removal experienced the most growth in 2011, with microdermabrasion coming in second. As for soft tissue fillers, hyaluronic acid ― which delivers nutrients, hydrates the skin by holding in water and acts as a cushioning agent ― increased by 9 percent, with more than 1.3 million procedures. Products such as Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Perlane, Restylane and Prevelle Silk all have hyaluronic acid and are mainly used to smooth wrinkles.
The 2011 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report also included the top five reconstructive procedures, up 5 percent. They include the following:
Tumor removal: 4.2 million procedures, up 3 percent from 2010
Laceration repair: 303,000 procedures, down 15 percent
Maxillofacial surgery: 195,000 procedures, up 125 percent
Scar revision: 175,000 procedures, up 9 percent
Hand surgery: 120,000 procedures, up 13 percent
Maxillofacial surgery experienced the most growth. Including facial laceration repair, maxillofacial surgery consists of facial reconstruction around the mouth, jaw and neck area.
It should be noted that ASPS procedural statistics represent procedures performed by ASPS member surgeons who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, as well as other physicians certified by American Board of Medical Specialties-recognized boards.
