According to data from the American Society of
Plastic
Surgeons (ASPS), nearly a quarter million more cosmetic procedures were
performed in 2019 than in 2018 and this is not a new trend. The number of
people getting cosmetic procedures has risen steadily over the past decade.
According to experts, it’s easier— physically,
financially, and emotionally — than you may think.
According to the ASPS, 1.8 million cosmetic
surgical procedures were done last year.
The top 5:
Breast Augmentation
Nose Reshaping
Eyelid Surgery
Tummy Tuck
“Most patients seek cosmetic procedures to
feel like the best version of themselves,” said Dr. Lara Devgan, MPH, FACS,
chief medical officer at RealSelf.
Some of most common reasons are:
1. More Screen Time
Dr. Dennis Schimpf, FACS, author of “Finding
Beauty: Think, See and Feel Beautiful” and founder of Sweetgrass Plastic
Surgery (Cirugia Plastica) in Charleston, South Carolina, thinks cell phones,
selfies, and social media platforms have greatly driven the desire for Plastic
Surgery (Cirugia Plastica).
Now, with mobile devices and platforms, we’re
literally seeing hundreds, if not thousands, of pictures of ourselves
documenting things we don’t like about our appearance, as well as the aging
process.”
In other words, we’re all under constant
scrutiny — by ourselves.
2. More
Acceptance
“Now, with the rise of social media, people
are in the recovery room, posting about what they went through and sending
pictures to friends that show the bandage on their nose,” he said.
“People are much more comfortable owning their
self-care rituals — including those that involve needles and knives,” agreed
Devgan.
Since 2015, the total number of reviews on
RealSelf has more than doubled.
“I also have patients come into my office and
request to be on my Instagram feed, which is something we never would have seen
5 years ago,” Devgan said.
3. More affordability
At some point in the not-so-distant past,
cosmetic plastic surgery was only for the uber-wealthy.
Today, Schimpf’s most common patient is
usually “a working professional, often double-income family or a stay-at-home
mom who now, after having children, would like to regain the physical
appearance she once had,” he said.
Cosmetic procedures, both surgical and
nonsurgical, “have also become more affordable,” said Schimpf.
Plenty of financing options exist, from
medical credit cards and personal loans to payment plans offered by doctor’s
offices. Health insurance typically only covers cosmetic procedures due to a
medical reason — such as breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.
4. More technological advances
Technical procedures used during cosmetic
procedures continue to become safer and more reliable, said Matarasso.
Nonsurgical treatments are an especially
rapidly evolving arena. “Lasers didn’t exist 10 years ago,” noted Matarasso.
5. More self-confidence
According to a 2019 survey by RealSelf/Harris
Poll, the top cited motivations among those who’ve had or are thinking about a
cosmetic treatment are “to improve self-esteem/confidence” and “to look as good
as I feel.”
“Despite all of the changes in the technical
aspects of aesthetic surgery, human desires and motivations remain the same,”
said Devgan. “We all want to present our best selves to the world — the ways we
do that depend on who we are.”
Advice for the cosmetically inclined
If you’re thinking about pursuing a cosmetic
treatment for yourself, make sure to:
Find a reputable Cosmetic Surgeon (Cirujano Estetico) you
trust. You could carefully research and
seek care from a skilled board-certified Plastic Surgeon (Cirujanos Plastico) who
will prioritize your care.
