Cosmetic Surgery Growth

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported a 5% increase in 2012 with14.6 million procedures.  Interestingly, minimally invasive treatments using botox, fillers and chemical peels accounted for approximately 90% of the total procedures, coming in at 13 million procedures.  Botox treatments rose 8% (6.1 million), along with microdermabrasion.  Fillers rose 5%, laser hair removal treatments rose 4%, and chemical peels rose 2%.  Facelifts dropped by 2% to 1.6 million procedures and and breast enlargements dropped 7% to 286,000 procedures. 

Globally, cosmetic surgery grew by 10% to $6 billion in 2012 and is projected to reach $6.3 billion in 2013. The Asian market is expected to grow by 14% and the European market by 6.6%.  Not surprisingly, the  U.S. ranks #1, Brazil #2, with Italy ranking as Europe's largest cosmetic surgery country, followed by France and Germany. There are changes are in the wind.

Mesotherapy Facial Treatment

A large percentage of those seeking a more youthful appearance are making very different choices when it comes to plastic surgery. The data clearly shows a very definite move away from invasive procedures and toward non-invasive (or minimally invasive) cosmetic enhancements. Dermal fillers and Botox are largely responsible for this trend.

Enter Mesotherapy. Europeans have popularized injectable Mesotherapy treatments for treating aging skin for decades. Mesotherapy is well known to effectively treat cellulite for a smoother, firmer appearance to the skin on the body. Recently, it is gaining speed as a treatment used to rejuvenate lackluster, sagging skin on the face, neck and hands. The treatment includes multiple injections just under the skin (meso layer) with one of a variety of special formulations consisting of vitamins, minerals, vital amino acids, natural extracts, nucleic acids, and coenzymes. These injections rejuvenate the cells and create activity, which in turn, stimulate the production of the body's own collagen and elastin.

Results are generally seen after the first treatment, but most medical professionals will recommend treatments repeated every second week for 10 weeks, followed by a consistent maintenance program. This treatment is not for the faint of heart. Each treatment will run between $200- $400 per treatment. It is not FDA approved.

Dermed Anti-Oxidant Rich Cream

DerMed is known for its high quality cosmeceutical ingredients. This cream is a great product for preparing the skin’s defence before a medical procedure, or for expediting the healing process after a procedure. Its focus boosts the anti-oxidant arsenal in the skin by helping the skin defend itself against free radical damage and repair damage that has been caused. Whenever the skin is traumatized in any manner, free radical activity is promoted, resulting in cellular damage and aging or degradation of the skin. Not exactly a desired effect, particularly after undergoing cosmetic enhancement surgery to improve one's appearance. Sun damage is another example of trauma that negatively affects the skin.

The active ingredients in this cream offering anti-oxidant properties are extracts from Black Tundra Moss, and of course, Vitamin E. The Vitamin A promotes new, healthier cell renewal and has receptor sites on almost all of your body cells, which means it is well received and utilized in cellular functions. The allantoin and lecithin are anti-inflammatory ingredients that minimize any potential irritation to the actives, allowing better reception and results. Hyanluronic Acide has been included in this skin boosting cream to control the dehydrating properties Retinol (Vitamin A) sometimes causes. All in all, Dermed has offered a cosmeceutical cream that is one to seriously consider.

Quick Fix Beauty

The economy is serving up new statistics with respect to plastic surgery. Not surprisingly, the financial roller coaster is being blamed for reports of an overall decline in major plastic surgery. Consumers are tightening their belts by saving money instead of spending money on liposuction. Face lifts and other fairly radical surgeries are easily placed on the back burner by their more affordable, non-invasive 'sister treatments' that require no downtime. Plastic surgery may indeed make a huge difference in one's appearance (if done properly), but forces patients out on the sidelines of life while they heal in privacy. Who can afford that?

Lunch hour quick fixes, on the other hand, require no down time (if done properly) and have the ability to shave off a few years without losing life's momentum. Non invasive procedures like botox, dermal fillers, dermabrasion and IPL (intense pulse light) are the new super stars of the plastic surgery world. They are easier on the pocket book, easier on the patient, and fulfill a quest for youth enhancement.

A successful treatment will reveal a healthy, rested, youthful glow. If the purpose is to remain competitive in the workplace and in the game of life, . . . then let the games begin.

Plastic Surgery Trends: Part 2

At the close of 2007, surgical cosmetic procedures remained relatively unchanged (0 - 1% increase) from the previous year clocking in more than 1.8 million procedures. (87% female/13% male).

The top five surgical cosmetic procedures for 2007:
Breast augmentation: 347,500 procedures (up 6%)
Liposuction: 302,000 procedures (unchanged) (89% female/11% male)
Nose Reshaping: 285,000 procedures (down 7%) (74% female/26% male)
Eyelid surgery: 241,000 procedures (up 3%) (85% female/15% male)
Tummy tuck: 148,000 procedures (up 1%) (96% female/4% male)

Although not in the top five, facelifts ranked #6 with an overall increase of 14% (up 14% female and 16% male). Women concentrated on the areas of the face and chest, but what about the men? Same regions. Facelifts, pectoral implants (up 8%) and breast reductions (up 7%). Although tummy tucks were up in 2007, a number of other body procedures were down; lower body lifts (down 17%), thigh lifts (down 28), upper arm lifts (down 6%). Could it be that an increased awareness of physical fitness is the reason? We hope so!

Plastic Surgery Trends

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports there were 11.7 million cosmetic procedures performed in 2007. 91% of all procedures were conducted on women typically between the ages of 35 - 50, followed by those who were 51-64.

Last year, the numbers on invasive plastic surgery grew marginally turning in numbers that did not break the all time record set back in 2004 (11.8 million). Depending on which report is read, an increase of somewhere between 2% - 7% was noted. Odd, since there has been such a tremendous surge in the past decade showing a gutsy 457% increase since 1997 with facelifts, breast augmentations, and nose reshapings galore!

This year, things in the invasive sector were comparatively quiet. Why? The economy? To a certain degree, perhaps, but what is more interesting is the emerging new trend for less invasive and less expensive treatments. In response to this need, the non-invasive sector rose 9% performing close to 10 million procedures. Botox is the one of the primary reasons for this shift, as is the second most popular treatment, dermal fillers (Restylane®, Hylaform®, Hylaform Plus®, and JuvedermTM), with a hearty honorable mention for a soft tissue filler (Radiesse - up 56%).

The top five minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures for 2007 (ranges):
Botox: 4,600,000 procedures (up 29%)
Dermal Fillers: 1,051,000 procedures (up 25% - 35%)
Chemical Peel: 1,025,000 procedures (down 4% - 0%)
Laser Hair Removal: 906,000 procedures (down 5% - up 2%)
Microdermabrasion: 897,000 procedures (up 6% - 10%)
Note: Microdermabrasion statistics are not inclusive of those performed in Spas, Medical Spas, Day Spas.

*The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) reports slightly different statistics.