ALEXANDRIA, VA--(Marketwire - March 18, 2010) - The number of non-invasive cosmetic procedures rose 47 percent according to new survey results released by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). The results show a continuation of the trend from the previous year, where consumers are opting to have less invasive procedures to look and feel refreshed. The economy is playing a large role in the growing trend. Not only are consumers having less-costly procedures, but 80 percent of physicians surveyed say patients are making these choices in order to remain competitive in the workplace.
The increase in non-invasive procedures administered by facial plastic surgeons was seen across the spectrum of treatments with the greatest increase being poly-l-lactic acid (up 71 percent). Other increases include chemical peels (up 52 percent), hyaluronic acid (up 48 percent) and Botox® (up 45 percent.)
The survey also showed that 77 percent of physicians agree that patients are more educated about plastic surgery options. With more people wanting to look younger, feel better and take an active role in their health, patients are researching different physicians and treatments to find the best one suited to meet their personal needs. Awareness of various procedures, appropriate physicians, best results and recovery times play an important role in the decision-making process.
"We are excited to see patients making educated choices. They are now open to newer, novel treatments and are making smart decisions that are tailored to their needs," said Daniel Rousso, MD, President of the AAFPRS. "The overall rise in these procedures also shows that more patients are trusting their face to facial plastic surgeons who are trained and focus solely on the face and neck. Because of this, patients are seeing better outcomes."
In 2009, women continued to be the most likely candidates for facial plastic surgery making up 84 percent of all surgical and non-surgical procedures. However, men and women are equally split when it comes to reconstructive procedures.
Surgical Procedures
In 2000, facial plastic surgeons reported the facelift as the most common cosmetic surgical procedure, followed by blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), rhinoplasty (nose surgeries) and ablative skin resurfacing. These procedures are most commonly performed on patients between the ages of 35 and 60 years of age. For female patients under age 35, the most common procedure performed was rhinoplasty.
The surgical procedures with the largest increases over the past year were ablative skin resurfacing (up 57 percent), revision surgery (up 18 percent) and facelifts (up 14 percent). Decreases were seen in lip augmentation (down 52 percent) and rhinoplasty (down 13 percent).
Angelina Jolie's Lips, Ashlee Simpson's Nose
While fascination with celebrities continues to be a cultural phenomenon, facial plastic surgeons surveyed say they have seen a substantial decrease in the percentage of their patients requesting a celebrity facial feature. The largest decreases in surgical procedures were found in lip augmentation (down 52 percent) and rhinoplasty (down 13 percent).
Medispa Findings
Physicians continue to express concern over procedures performed at medical spas (medispas). 76 percent of facial plastic surgeons surveyed say they are aware that medical directors of medispas are not actually on site for medical treatments. Most cosmetic procedures are performed in a private office (54 percent) setting. Procedures performed in a hospital came in at 23 percent and the number of procedures performed at medical spas or medispas remained unchanged (2 percent). Half of the physicians surveyed are aware of misleading advertising involving injectables, lasers and other cosmetic therapies. 35 percent of physicians believe medispas will become a more popular location for patients undergoing treatments.
Other Facial Plastic Surgery Trends
The facelift is the most common procedure performed on Caucasian patients, African Americans and Hispanics are most likely to have rhinoplasty, while Asian Americans get blepharoplasty most often. Overall, 80 percent of AAFPRS members who participated in the survey feel that the future holds more cosmetic surgery for ethnic populations.
In addition, more facial plastic surgeons will offer wellness and lifestyle techniques to enhance the patient experience and to provide a more comprehensive approach.
Find the Right Surgeon
The AAFPRS reminds patients and professionals that when a patient requests any facial procedure above the neck, to first seek surgeons who are qualified, trained and experienced in performing those procedures and ensure that patients trust their face to a facial plastic surgeon.
About the AAFPRS
The AAFPRS is the world's largest association of facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons with more than 2,700 members -- whose cosmetic and reconstructive surgery focuses on the face, head and neck. The AAFPRS fellows and members are board certified and subscribe to a code of ethics. In addition, the AAFPRS provides consumers with free information and brochures and a list of qualified facial plastic surgeons in any area by visiting the AAFPRS Web site, www.aafprs.org.
To schedule an interview with the AAFPRS spokesperson, please contact Deborah Sittig at Green Room Public Relations at 973-263-8585 ext. 22 or Deborah@greenroompr.com.
Contact Information:
Deborah Sittig
Green Room Public Relations
973-263-8585 ext. 22