ASDS: Dermatologic surgeons performed 9.5 million procedures in 2014

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery announced that dermatologic surgeons performed almost 9.5 million medical and cosmetic procedures in 2014, according to survey of association members.

There was a 21% increase in skin cancer treatments and in several cosmetic categories compared with 2012 figures, but overall figures remained consistent with figures from 2013, according to a press release. Skin cancer treatments were the most performed procedure, with 3.08 million performed by American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) members, which confirmed the growing incidence of the disease, the release stated.

There were 207,000 melanoma procedures performed by ASDS members in 2014, which was an increase of 9%.

George J. Hruza

“The comprehensive approach ASDS members take toward the management and prevention of skin cancer — from offering patients the most advanced treatment option to promoting sun-safe behavior and screening — speaks to the collective resolve of our membership,” ASDS President George J. Hruza, MD, MBA, said in the release.

There were 6.4 million cosmetic treatments performed by dermatologic surgeons in 2014. The top three procedures included injectable wrinkle relaxing procedures (1.75 million procedures), soft-tissue fillers (1.01 million procedures) and laser/light/energy-based procedures (2.06 million procedures, according to the release.

Laser hair removal was among the fastest-growing procedures, with 632,000 reported in 2014, which was a 27% increase from 2013 and a 51% increase from 2012.

The ASDS Survey on Dermatologic Procedures was conducted between Jan. 2 and Feb. 7, 2015, for data reported in 2014. A link to the survey was sent to 3,890 practicing ASDS members, with 826 physicians responding, the release stated. Data were generalized to represent all ASDS members.

In results of a separate survey, excess weight was patients’ top cosmetic concern for the third year in the row, according to respondents of the 2015 ASDS Consumer Survey on Cosmetic Dermatologic Procedures. Body sculpting treatments, including cryolipolysis, have increased 53% since 2012 to 208,000 procedures in 2014, the release stated.

Reference: www.asds.net