3/25/08

According to statistics released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), plastic surgery procedures of the face and chest were popular among women and men in 2007, increasing at similar rates for similar procedures.

The report shows that facelifts increased 14% for women and 16% for men from 2006. Breast augmentation for women increased 6% and pectoral implants for men increased 8%. Reconstructive breast reduction for women increased 2%, which is a significant difference from the 9% decrease reported last year. Male breast reduction increased 7%.

“It is not surprising that the highly visible focal points of the face and chest would interest both women and men seeking plastic surgery,” says Richard A. D’Amico, MD, ASPS President. “However, while 91% of plastic surgery procedures are performed on women and 9% are performed on men, it is interesting to see the rate of increase is comparable in both.”

The report also shows that aesthetic minimally-invasive procedures for the face increased considerably for women and men. Calcium hydroxylapatite increased 123% for women and 134% for men, laser skin resurfacing increased 32% in women and men, polylactic acid increased 38% for women and men, hyaluronic acid increased 35% for women and 24% for men, and botulinum toxin Type A increased 14% for women and 4% for men.

“Increases in facelifts and cosmetic minimally-invasive facial procedures were also sizeable in the boomer age groups, which is anticipated,” says D’Amico. “As we age, the repositioning [lifting] and volume replacing [plumping] procedures supplement one another and we advise boomer-age patients do both to maintain their desired youthful appearance.”

[ASPS, March 25, 2008]