According to recent statistics released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures increased 5 percent, with nearly 11.6 million procedures performed in 2010. This data is likely compiled from the information provided by their membership, so we can only imagine what the true number is when we take into consideration the high volume of procedures that are performed by non-member physicians.
Their data breaks down with the top five minimally-invasive procedures:
- Botulinum toxin type A – 5.4 million (popular trade names Botox® and Dysport®)
- Soft tissue fillers (1.8 million)
- Chemical peel – 1.1 million
- Laser hair removal – 938,000
- Microdermabrasion – 825,000
Let’s face it, we live in a youth-oriented culture where neither men nor women can afford to “let themselves go” especially as they’re barraged with information like these recent statistics. According to Phillip Haeck, MD, President of the ASPS, “Injectables have remained robust despite the economy. Botox® and Dysport® injections are up 12 percent in 2010.”
Practicality dictates that anti-aging isn’t about vanity – it’s about survival for many who are seeing the signs of age but are still actively engaged in society and the workplace. Even if you’re not ready to go under the knife, you probably have considered your options for staying in the game rather than fighting a losing battle against our culture’s emphasis on youth.
Minimally-invasive injectables are widely accepted and this area of plastic surgery is expanding rapidly. My biggest caution as you consider your options for a fresh, ageless appearance is to remember that consumers looking for a bargain on cosmetic procedures may add to the horror stories about “discount injectables” bought offshore and cosmetic medicine and cosmetic surgery performed by untrained or poorly trained practitioners.
The old adage “you get what you pay for” holds a lot of merit in this area. Do your homework and choose a plastic surgeon that specializes in cosmetic medicine and ask to see examples of board certifications, work performed and patient testimonials. These trained professionals have devoted their careers to addressing the diversity of their patients’ needs as well as the skill set and trained eye that is required to produce natural looking results.
If you’ve considered taking this initial step for a fresh new look, please feel free to contact me at 1-888-PSURGERY to schedule a consultation at my Manhattan, Westchester or Roslyn, Long Island offices or email me at scottmed5@psurgery.com. My practice website is www.psurgery.com.