Nips, Tucks On The Rise

(WebMD)  A flood of reality television shows and media coverage on plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures may have inspired millions to opt for the growing array of face- and figure-enhancing options now available.

A new report shows the number of surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S. rose by 44 percent in 2004 to nearly 11.9 million.

The biggest increase in 2004 was in nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, including wrinkle-erasing injections of Botox. Nonsurgical procedures such as Botox, laser hair removal, and chemical peels rose by 51 percent over the previous year.

Plastic surgeries such as liposuction, breast augmentation, and facelifts grew by 17 percent.

"I believe at least some of this upward trend may be attributable to increased media coverage of plastic surgery in 2004," says Peter Fodor, MD, president of the American Society for Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery, which compiled the report. "People have had many more opportunities to see firsthand what plastic surgery is like and what it can do for others."

Liposuction and Botox were the most popular plastic surgeries and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, respectively, performed in 2004, but the popularity of various procedures varied slightly between men and women.

Trends in Cosmetic Procedures

Women accounted for 90 percent of all cosmetic procedures in 2004, and the number of cosmetic procedures performed on women increased by 49 percent compared with 2003. Plastic surgeries increased by 21 percent and nonsurgical procedures rose by 57 percent.

Among men, the number of overall cosmetic procedures rose by 8 percent, although the number of plastic surgeries declined by 11 percent.

Researchers say nearly half of cosmetic procedures were performed in a doctor's office, nearly 30 percent in freestanding surgical facilities, and 24 percent in hospitals.

Americans spent just under $12.5 billion on cosmetic procedures, with $7.7 billion spent on plastic surgery and $4.7 billion on nonsurgical cosmetic procedures.

Top 2004 Surgical and Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures Overall:

Plastic Surgeries:

Liposuction -- 478,251
Breast augmentation -- 334,052
Eyelid surgery -- 290,343
Rhinoplasty -- 166,187
Facelift -- 157,061

Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures:

Botox -- 2,837,346
Laser hair removal -- 1,411,899
Chemical peel -- 1,110,401
Microdermabrasion -- 1,098,316
Hyaluronic acid -- 882,469
(Hylaform, Restylane)

Top Cosmetic Procedures Among Women:

Plastic Surgeries:

Liposuction -- 416,614
Breast augmentation -- 334,052
Eyelid surgery -- 249,293
Tummy Tuck -- 145,315
Facelift -- 145,240

Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures:

Botox -- 2,525,430
Laser hair removal -- 1,215,052
Microdermabrasion -- 999,095
Chemical peel -- 977,277
Hyaluronic acid -- 838,917
(Hylaform, Restylane)

Top Cosmetic Procedures Among Men:

Plastic Surgeries:

Liposuction -- 61,638
Breast augmentation -- 41,050
Eyelid surgery -- 38,989
Tummy Tuck -- 19,636
Facelift -- 19,503

Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures:

Botox -- 311,916
Laser hair removal -- 196,847
Microdermabrasion -- 133,124
Chemical peel -- 99,221
Hyaluronic acid -- 69,427
(Hylaform, Restylane)


SOURCE: News release, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

By Jennifer Warner, WebMD Medical News
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD
© 2005, WebMD Inc. All rights reserved