For the first time ever, Americans spent more than $15 billion on combined surgical and nonsurgical procedures, according to the latest statistics reported by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
There was an 11% increase in total procedures from 2015 to 2016, representing a $1.5 billion increase in overall expenditures.
Surgical procedures accounted for 56% and nonsurgical for 44% of the total spend.
Dr. MillsDaniel Mills, M.D., president of ASAPS, is not at all surprised by the results of the society’s Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank Statistics survey.
“We have seen increases year-over-year for quite awhile now,” Dr. Mills tells Cosmetic Surgery Times. “With so many options available, and with techniques and procedures improving each year, there is truly something for everyone, from non-invasive procedures like chemical peels to slightly invasive like the age-defying injectables to the more invasive surgeries.”
Surgery, of course, tends to produce the best results, “which are long-term and in some cases, permanent,” Dr. Mills says.
The past year also included significant growth in fat grafting to the face (17%) and breast (41%).
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“These increases can be attributed to a variety of reasons,” Dr. Mills says. “[Fat] can improve your overall appearance rather dramatically. Plus, your body does not reject its own fat.”
Fat grafting to the breast is becoming popular for women seeking a small volume enhancement (0.5 to 1 cup size), “which fat grafting is perfect for,” Dr. Mill says. “Anything larger, of course, would require an implant.”
Labiaplasty and buttock lifts were also up dramatically last year (23% and 21% respectively), “which demonstrates that women have very specific desires for their body aesthetics and are taking advantage of these newer procedures that enable them to achieve the look they want, thus boosting their overall confidence,” Dr. Mills notes.
The two nonsurgical procedures that saw significant growth last year were hyalauronic acid (16%) and nonsurgical skin tightening (12%). Dermal fillers are becoming more popular “as more patients discover the multipurpose use of fillers,” according to Dr. Mills. As for nonsurgical skin tightening, he attributes this to the increasing demand for less-invasive fat reduction.
