ASAPS releases cosmetic procedure statistics

There were more than 9 million cosmetic procedures performed in the US in 2011, according to data recently published by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Eighteen percent of those procedures were surgical, and 82% were nonsurgical. Surgical procedures accounted for 63% of total expenditures, while nonsurgical procedures accounted for 37% of total expenditures.

An increase of nearly 1% in the total number of cosmetic procedures was observed between 2010 and 2011. There were 1.6 million procedures performed from 2010 to 2011.

Liposuction rates increased almost 13% between 2010 and 2011, with more than 300,000 procedures performed. Lipoplasty surpassed breast augmentation as the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure for the first time in 3 years. The last time lipoplasty was the most popular cosmetic surgery was 2008.

A 197% increase in the total number of cosmetic procedures has occurred since 1997. During that span, surgical procedures increased by more than 73% and nonsurgical procedures increased by 356%.

After liposuction and breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, blepharoplasty and breast lift rounded out the top five procedures performed in the US in 2011. As for nonsurgical procedures, Botulinum Toxin Type A topped the list, followed by hyaluronic acid, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion and intense pulsed light (IPL) laser treatment.

The current report also contains data for procedures performed by both physicians and physician’s assistants. The total number of Botulinum Toxin Type A procedures performed was 4,030,318. Hyaluronic Acid was performed 1,662,480 times, followed by laser hair removal (1,452,880 procedures), microdermabrasion (794,357 procedures) and IPL laser treatment (726,125 procedures).

Ninety-one percent of the procedures were performed on women. There were 8.4 million cosmetic procedures performed for women, an increase of over 208% from 1997. The five most common procedures among women were breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tuck, breast lift and eyelid surgery.

Men accounted for 9% of procedures, with more than 800,000 done in 2011. This was an increase of 121% from 1997. Men were most likely to undergo liposuction, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, breast reduction to treat enlarged male breast and facelift.

The total amount spent on cosmetic procedures in the US in 2011 was nearly $10 billion. Surgical procedures accounted for $6.2 billion, while $1.7 billion was spent on injectable procedures, $1.6 billion was spent on skin rejuvenation procedures and more than $360 million was spent on other nonsurgical procedures, including laser hair removal and laser treatment of leg veins, according to the statistics.

Forty-three percent of the procedures were performed on individuals aged 35 to 50 years. There were 4 million procedures performed in this age group, with the most common being Botulinum Toxin Type A, hyaluronic acid, laser hair removal, IPL laser treatment and microdermabrasion.

The rate among 19 to 34 year olds was 20%. Twenty-eight percent were performed in 51 to 64 year olds, 8% were performed in individuals aged 65 an older, and 1.4% were performed in individuals aged 18 years old or younger.

Racial and ethnic minorities accounted for approximately 21% of all cosmetic procedures in 2011. Hispanics, had 8%, while African-Americans had 7%, Asians had 5% and other non-Caucasians accounted for 1% of procedures.

Sixty percent of surgeries were performed in an office facility, while 22% were performed in a free-standing surgicenter and 18% occurred in a hospital.