The number of cosmetic medical procedures performed in the United States last year increased slightly because of growing demand for minimally invasive procedures like Botox and laser skin resurfacing, according to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Despite the faltering economy, Americans opted for nearly 12.1 million cosmetic medical procedures last year, up 3% from 2007. That 3% rise, however, was the smallest increase recorded in cosmetic procedures since 2000. Popular surgical procedures such as liposuction and breast augmentation had double-digit decreases in the percentage of procedures performed in 2008. Overall, Americans spent $10.3 billion on cosmetic procedures last year, down 9% from 2007.
Botox continues to be the most popular cosmetic procedure in the United States, with more than 5 million procedures performed last year, up 8% from 2007. The number of procedures performed with hyaluronic acid fillers increased by 6%. The number of laser skin resurfacing procedures jumped 15% from 2007 to 2008, but microdermabrasion was down 6%.
It seems that the most effective procedures, such as Botox and fillers, are increasing, while interest in less effective procedures like microdermabrasion is dropping, said Dr. Leslie Baumann, director of cosmetic dermatology at the University of Miami. “This is not surprising,” she said. “Patients quickly realize that these ineffective procedures are a waste of money.”
The statistics on cosmetic procedures from the ASPS are based on a combination of data from its online national database of plastic surgery procedures and the results of an annual survey of about 21,000 board-certified dermatologists; ear, nose and throat specialists; and plastic surgeons. The responses are then extrapolated to the entire population of physicians most likely to perform cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures.
The 2008 statistics also highlight a trend toward greater use of cosmetic procedures by ethnic minorities. Cosmetic procedures increased slightly in all ethnic groups except in white patients, though white patients still accounted for the vast majority of cosmetic procedures performed last year.
The greatest level of increased interest was among Hispanic and black patients. The use of cosmetic procedures jumped 18% among Hispanic patients and 10% among blacks patients, compared with 2007. The most commonly requested procedures for ethnic minorities were Botox, injectable fillers, and chemical peels.
“We're seeing a rise in Hispanics opting for cosmetic procedures that coincides with the growth we're seeing in the nation's population,” Dr. John Canady, ASPS president, said in a statement.
The increased use of cosmetic procedures by ethnic minorities is encouraging, said Dr. Eliot F. Battle Jr., a cosmetic dermatologist in Washington and an expert in treating ethnic skin. However, it raises serious concerns that some physicians are performing these procedures without the proper understanding of skin of color.
Dr. Battle said that he is seeing more patients who come to him after experiencing side effects from laser treatments performed by other physicians. He urged physicians to use care when treating patients with skin of color. Without understanding the nuances of darker skin, patients can be harmed. “These patients cannot be treated as guinea pigs,” he said.
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