Cosmetic Procedures Lose Little Popularity in Recession Year

By Jim Greene

Published on May 25, 2010

An annual update of statistics shows the cosmetic procedures industry fared better than many in 2009. While the country was struggling to get out of a recession, the number of cosmetic procedures was nearly 10 million, down by only about two percent from 2008.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) figures, a 17 percent drop in surgical cosmetic procedures was nearly offset by a one percent rise in nonsurgical procedures, including dermal filler injections, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, and chemical facial peels. Nonsurgical procedures account for about 85 percent of total procedures, but don't necessarily help plastic surgeons make up for their losses in surgical income; only 12 percent of them work with medical spas.

Among women, the top five surgical procedures were, in descending order, breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, abdominal tucks, and breast reduction. The top five surgery choices for men were liposuction, nose jobs, eyelid surgery, breast reduction, and hair transplantation

Those 18 and younger are more likely to have nonsurgical cosmetic procedures and seemed most concerned about smooth skin and their appearance above the neck in 2009, favoring laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, nose jobs, chemical peel, and botulinum toxin type A injections (Botox®, Dysport®, et. al.).

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