New data fresh from the US reveals patients pursuing aesthetic procedures spent a record US $13.5 billion in 2015.
For the first time on record, Americans spent more than US$13.5 billion on combined (surgical and non-surgical) aesthetic procedures in a single year, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
The totals reflect a US$1.5 billion increase in expenditures for combined surgical and non-surgical procedures from 2014 to 2015.
ASAPS, working with an independent research firm, compiled the 19-year national data for procedures performed from 1997-2015, making up the most comprehensive collection of data available on the number of cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures performed in the United States.
Although there is no definitive data about cosmetic surgery trends in Australia, we typically follow American statistics to provide an insight into emerging and changing trends on our own shores.
Surgical procedures accounted for 58 percent of the total expenditures in 2015, surpassing the US$8 billion mark for the first time ever. Non-surgical procedures in 2015 accounted for 42 percent of the total expenditures in 2015.
Surgical procedures are up seven percent, with 1,912,468 procedures performed; non-surgical procedures are up 22 percent, with 10,879,909 procedures performed; and combined surgical and non-surgical procedures are up 20 percent compared with last year’s data, with a total of 12,792,377 procedures performed.
Cosmetic procedures have increased by 39 percent over the past five years (from 2011) with surgical procedures up 17 percent and non-surgical procedures up 44 percent.
The most popular surgical procedure was liposuction with 396,048 procedures performed. Interestingly, it is the only surgical procedure with a spot in the top 10 cosmetic procedures overall.
For the first time this year, statistical data for fat grafting to the breasts, buttocks, and face was reported. There were 18,135 fat grafting procedures to the breast, 18,487 to the buttocks, and 48,059 to the face. Fat transfer to the face was the 9th most popular surgical procedure in 2015.
The procedures with the most increases between 2014 and 2015 were: non-surgical skin tightening (up 58 percent); tattoo removal (up 39 percent); microdermabrasion (up 34 percent); buttock lifts (up 32 percent); male breast reduction for treatment of gynaecomastia (up 26 percent).
Cosmetic injectables overall (including anti-wrinkle injections and fillers) saw a 21 percent increase in 2015.
Ever-popular procedures, including liposuction and breast augmentation, also saw growth this year as the first and second most popular surgical procedures, respectively, and accounting for nearly 40 percent of all surgical procedures performed.
James C. Grotting, MD, President of ASAPS stated: ‘Our industry’s growth is considerable, but not at all surprising. It reflects a healthy and robust economy wherein many people can afford to, and want to invest in themselves.’
‘More people now perceive aesthetic enhancements and procedures as essential,’ he continued. ‘I personally believe the motivating factors for that are varied, but remaining competitive in the workforce is certainly a common factor. Youth is a commodity, and people are investing in themselves to maintain a younger, healthier appearance.’
