Any physician can’t but notice a significant increase in non-invasive and non-surgical procedures.

The job market is very competitive, and people are scared. With the combination of financing, decreased pricing and a wider range of services available, it becomes very realistic to give yourself a boost, go into that interview with an edge and just feel good all around. Procedures such as a photorejuvenation, injectable fillers takes a few minutes, zero down-time, produce quick or almost immediate results and cost a fraction of what a surgical face lift would be. Lasers, Botox and fillers can accomplish a very broad range of results from simply filling in the little lines around your mouth, to a completely different look.

More and more aesthetic practices offer financing with programs that range from interest free to 48 month extended plans.

weathering-the-storm

Cosmetic facial surgeon Joseph Niamtu, III, D.M.D., F.A.A.C.S. says there are several things that cosmetic surgeons can do to ride out this economic storm.

Aesthetic laser treatments done to remove hair or improve wrinkles and fine lines on the face is a discretionary item. It’s not reimbursed by insurance companies or Medicare, and has to come out of the consumer’s pocket. And these are pretty pricey treatments. We’re talking about $3,000 or more just for some hair removal. With the U.S. economy off a cliff consumers tend to tighten up on this kind of spending.

Hair removal, which has been the most popular laser procedure is showing signs of maturity, and is slowing down. Further decline in growth is inevitable.

The newer treatments like the fine line, wrinkle removal and facial lesion removal – improving the skin, resurfacing skin tissue – those markets are growing because they are relatively new and consumers’ awareness of the benefits is improving. Even factoring the worsening economic environment, these markets will grow 10-15% in 2009.

Our experts have gazed into their crystal balls to see what aesthetic treats Americans will be seeking in 2009. From how the economy will affect cosmetic surgery to which new products will come to market, what we will see more – or less – of in 2009.

Less is more in 2009. The economic recession will spur many consumers to re-evaluate their cosmetic surgery plans. More people may choose less invasive procedures such as injectables, fillers and laser treatments instead of major surgeries, to buy time until the economy rebounds.

Will consumers be penny-wise but pound-foolish in 2009? As the recession continues, many doctors may have to cut prices on surgical procedures as well as injectables to help attract new patients. But buyer beware: The worst thing you can do is put price before professional training!

The appeal of both aesthetic surgery and cosmetic medicine will continue to spread across the spectrum of our population, as plastic surgeons further tailor treatments to meet the sometimes unique needs of that expanding population.

• The growth and popularity of cosmetic fillers (Evolence, Juvederm, Restylane, etc.) will continue to increase as products continue to evolve and new players enter the market.
• As our population increasingly realizes the dangers and health consequences of obesity, the number of patients seeking plastic surgery procedures for body contouring after dramatic weight loss (abdominoplasty, lower body lift, upper arm lift, etc.) will rise in 2009.
• Reloxin (an injectable form of Botulinum Toxin Type A) will gain FDA approval and compete with Botox (the most popular cosmetic procedure for the past 5 years) and other similar products may begin to enter pre-market clinical trials.
• Consumers looking for a bargain on cosmetic procedures will unfortunately lead to an increase in horror stories about “discount injectables” bought offshore and cosmetic medicine and cosmetic surgical procedures performed by untrained or poorly trained practitioners.
• Men will represent a growing segment of the aesthetic surgery market. (According to a February 2008 consumer survey commissioned by ASAPS, 57 percent of men approve of cosmetic surgery, and 20 percent would consider having cosmetic surgery. Seventy-nine percent (79%) of American men surveyed said they would not be embarrassed if people in addition to their family and close friends knew they had undergone cosmetic surgery.)
• As the popularity of non surgical and minimally invasive procedures continues to grow; surgeons and manufacturers will develop new techniques and products that advance the science, produce even better results and lessen recovery time.
• Following the trend in increased consumer sophistication regarding healthcare choices, board certification of practitioners, and accreditation of surgical facilities will play an even more important role in choosing a cosmetic surgeon.

A recent study suggests that in 2015, over 55 million cosmetic surgery procedures will be performed in the US.  That’s well over 4 times the number of procedures performed in 2007 (1,837,118)! The number includes all treatments designed to improve the aesthetic appearance of an individual, from laser hair removal to breast augmentation.

While the stats aren’t out for this year, yet, we’re sure that even with the sagging economy, the numbers won’t be too different from last year – proving that even when times are tough, people still want to look good.

As the economy slides south, does that mean our foreheads have to follow suit? Not in the U.S. Non-surgical cosmetic services like dermal fillers and laser treatments are growing more popular, even in the down economy.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 59 percent of respondents said in October that the economy had affected their plans for cosmetic plastic surgery but 27 percent said they would consider less expensive procedures like Botox and lasers.

Getting Botox has become about as common as getting a haircut or going to the gym. What used to be a hush-hush procedure deflected by starlets who credited their smooth skin to good genes and sunscreen is now so common that even young people regularly use Botox. And they don’t flinch as 50 units of Botox are injected around and between their eyes.

Dermal fillers, non-invasive laser treatments and a combination of the two is an easy and fast way to look great for 2009, without breaking the bank. This is the only area where aesthetic practices are showing growth. Consumers eager to stay looking young are turning to light based devices as alternatives to cosmetic surgery. Job seeking consumers need to improve beauty in a cost-effective way. They are worried about money, but for $10-a-unit Botox, they can get a fix that will last six months.

The rejuvenation business is a microcosm of the economy at large. Younger people are deferring surgical procedures until they feel more financially secure. Older residents, with cash in reserve, are still going under the knife. And all are seeking cheaper, less-invasive procedures. They can spend $1,500 for a package of skin care and injectables or $7,000 or $8,000 on surgery, and practioners ask them right away, ‘What’s your budget?’ “

Nearly 11.7 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed in the United States in 2007, according to statistics released today by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The Aesthetic Society, which has been collecting multi-specialty procedural statistics since 1997 says the overall number of cosmetic procedures has increased 457 percent since the collection of the statistics first began. The most frequently performed procedure was Botox injections and the most popular surgical procedure was liposuction.“Our statistics confirm that aesthetic plastic surgery is not defined by race or gender,” said Aesthetic Society president Foad Nahai, MD. “The number of surgical and nonsurgical procedures performed on men increased 17 percent since last year, and 22 percent of the aesthetic procedures were performed on traditional racial and ethnic minorities.”

TRENDS AND DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Women had 91 percent of cosmetic procedures. The number of procedures (surgical and nonsurgical) performed on women was over 10.6 million, an increase of 1 percent from the previous year. Surgical procedures increased 9 percent; nonsurgical procedures decreased by less than 1 percent. Since 1997, surgical procedures increased 142 percent, while nonsurgical procedures have increased 743 percent.

Men had 9 percent of cosmetic procedures. The number of procedures (surgical and nonsurgical) performed on men was just over 1 million, an increase of 17 percent from the previous year. Surgical procedures increased 5 percent; nonsurgical procedures increased 21 percent. Since 1997, surgical procedures have increased 3 percent while nonsurgical procedures have increased 886 percent.

Racial and Ethnic Distribution
Traditional racial and ethnic minorities accounted for 22 percent of all cosmetic procedures in 2007. Hispanics again led minority racial and ethnic groups in the number of procedures: Hispanics, 9 percent; African-Americans, 6 percent; Asians, 5 percent; and other non-Caucasians, 2 percent.

Location and Fees
Almost fifty-four percent (54 percent) of cosmetic procedures in 2007 were performed in office-based facilities; 28 percent in freestanding surgicenters; and 17 percent in hospitals. Americans spent just over $13 billion on cosmetic procedures; $8.3 billion was for surgical procedures, and $4.7 billion was for nonsurgical procedures.