Every year the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery compiles statistics on the year’s before trends in cosmetic surgery. The statistics vary through the years but typically include “Plastic Surgery Timelines”, “Top 5 Surgical and Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures”, “Economic, Regional and Ethnic Information” and “Top 5 Cosmetic Surgeries for Women and Men”. These statistics are great for understanding the Plastic Surgery industry and even for consumers to know the most popular treatments offered in the industry. The following is a quick rundown of the top non-Surgical treatments in the plastic surgery industry and why they rank at the top of the list.
Since the ASAPS began the statistic of “Top 5 Non-Surgical and Surgical Cosmetic Procedures” in 2000 there have been three major contenders that have ranked the top three within the non-surgical category for at least 9 years. These top contenders include Botox, Hyaluronic acid (Dermal Fillers), and Laser hair removal known for their effectiveness and low cost. The last two places in the top 5 rankings usually change between different laser treatments, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels known also for their value and effectiveness. The 4th and 5th positions in the ranking can be determined by new trends within the industry in those years as laser technology has soared in the most recent years.
Botox and Hyaluronic Acid
Botox and Hyaluronic has continued to rise to the top of the ranks every year popular for its
cosmetic uses particularly as the number one solution for wrinkles, crow’s feet, and other unsightly facial lines. Botox is a prescription medication while hyaluronic acid (dermal fillers) does not require a prescription. Hyaluronic acid as actually found naturally in the body which makes it a good choice as a dermal filler because of its compatibility with your body. Botox is also FDA approved for migraine headaches and excessive sweating but also used for other surprising uses not FDA approved such as Gummy Smile, Botox “boob job”, and hair rejuvenation. Botox is ranked #1 and used widely for many different reasons because of its easy access, application, length of treatment benefits, and the effects of the treatment. Hyaluronic acid is found in naturally in the soft connective tissues and in the fluid surrounding your eyes. When this gel is injected it behaves like cushion or pillow to support your facial structure that might have lost volume and elasticity due to aging. Hyaluronic acid is also currently used to treat aching joints of those with arthritis to ease pain. Botox is supplied in almost every city, has an 82% improvement rate within a week, takes 30 minutes to apply, and lasts an average of 4 months. Dermal fillers are also immediately available in most cities. Hyaluronic acid comes in a few different forms unlike Botox such as Juvederm, Radiessse, Restylane, and Sculptra. The application is similar to Botox, taking only 30 minutes however the efficacy of the treatment can last from 9-24 months depending on the hyaluronic acid brand. The usability, accessibility, and ease of Botox and hyaluronic acid makes it easy to see why Botox and hyaluronic acid still ranks in the top 3 non-surgical treatments for the last decade.
Chemical Peels and Microdermabrasion
Chemical Peels and Microdermabrasion have also landed a few spots on the ASAPS Top 5 Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures over the last decade however their strength is not as great as that of Botox and hyaluronic acid. They are however still on the top 5 because of their ease of access and they are the least invasive procedures to improve the appearance of your skin. Chemical peels improve acne and acne scars, age and liver spots, fine lines and wrinkles, freckles, irregular skin pigmentation, rough skin and scaly patches, scars, and sun-damaged skin. Chemical peels use a gentle chemical solution to smooth skin while Microdermabrasion uses a minimally abrasive instrument to gently sand the skin to remove the thicker, uneven outer layer. Microdermabrasion is used to treat light scarring, discoloration, sun-damage, and to lessen the appearance of stretch marks. Unlike chemical peels, the microdermabrasion technique also helps to thicken collagen, resulting in a younger complexion. Both microdermabrasion and chemical peels work to make your skin look smoother, younger, and smooth by gently removing the damaged outer layers. Microdermabrasion application can last for about 30 minutes with very minimal discomfort while a chemical peels, depending on the strength can last from 10 minutes to 2 hours with some resulting temporary redness, hyperpigmentation and stinging. Microdermabrasion and chemical peels are widely used and continue to rank on the top 5 lists because of their ease of access, no downtime and effective results.
Laser Treatments
Laser treatments have also been a staple of the ASAPS Top 5 Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatment Statistics. More specifically, Laser hair removal has continuously ranked on the chart at the # 3 top ranked non-surgical procedures over the last few years. Other laser treatments such as the IPL treatment and laser skin resurfacing treatment have grazed the charts over the last few years as advanced laser technology begins to soar. Laser hair removal is an obvious choice for a top rank on the ASAPS statistics as men and women from young to old benefit from the treatment effects. Laser hair removal works by producing beams of highly concentrated light into hair follicles. The pigment in the follicles then absorbs this light destroying the hair. Laser hair removal is so common because of its precision, speed of treatment, and predictability. The laser can treat an area the size of a quarter every second while some areas can be treated in less than a minute and a larger area up to an hour. 90% of patients have permanent hair loss after an average of three to five sessions making laser hair removal more appealing than waxing, shaving, or tweezing. Laser skin resurfacing such as the Fraxel re:store Dual system has grazed the statistics with its presence here and there over the years however, time will tell as this laser has a 66% “worth-it” rating from Realself.com, a educational community of patients, dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons. The Fraxel laser skin resurfacing provides skin resurfacing with minimal
downtime using wavelength technology used to address pigmentation, acne scars, photo-damage, and discoloration with fast recovery pain-free. This laser skin resurfacing is similar to the benefits of a chemical peel or microdermabrasion with less redness and pain.
Well, there you have it, the most common treatments in the non-surgical cosmetic statistics by the ASAPS and why they make the charts. Only time will tell what will be on the charts next year but we have a very good feeling that Botox, hyaluronic acid, and laser hair removal will still rank top 3 on the statistics. With laser technology advancing, it’s very possible next year we will see a bigger trend in the laser non-surgical cosmetic industry.