After the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new national survey called the ASPS Inaugural Trends and Outlook Report: Cosmetic Surgery 2022 reveals that many Americans are now investing in themselves through cosmetic procedures, despite an uncertain economy.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons surveyed member surgeons across the country and found that more than three-quarters of cosmetic-focused plastic surgery practices are finding more business than before the pandemic, with nearly 30% reporting that your business has duplicate.
“With COVID, we prepare for the worst. But when we were able to reopen our office, we were pleasantly surprised by the incredible increase in demand for our cosmetic services, both surgical and non-invasive,” he said. Bob Basu, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Houston and vice chairman of the finance board of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “Now that we hope that the worst is over and that people are traveling again and returning to normal life, I thought we would see some of that demand drop, but that has not been the case. In fact, we are still seeing a very high demand«.
Basu says there are a variety of reasons behind the surge in demand. For many patients, the COVID closures and the ability to work from home gave them the time they needed to announce, without interrupting your normal and busy routine. Others say the money saved on travel and dining during the pandemic allowed them to invest in themselves. “COVID changed everything. No one was traveling, vacations were cancelled. So I think a lot of families and patients had much more disposable income. And so, they found that this is the right time to do a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure,” Basu said.
The survey also found that women between the ages of 31 and 45 years they were by far the most likely to request popular procedures like breast augmentation, liposuction, and tummy tucks.
Basu says that the millennials Not only are they knowledgeable about their options, but they are also more open about their choice to have plastic surgery than previous generations. “Millennials are very sophisticated in terms of getting the information they want. They share their experiences with other people through social media platforms or other methods. And so these procedures are no longer a taboo, they’re actually identifiable and accessible,” Basu said. “Because of this open exchange, patients are also well versed in the procedures of interest. And so it really allows us to have a really productive discussion about your options.”
Megan’s case
Megan Gilbert, 35, was one of those millennials who researched. When the pandemic brought her young family’s busy lifestyle to a halt, they took the opportunity to focus on her health. But after a twenty-five pound weight loss, Gilbert still had some insecurities when looking in the mirror. “After nursing two children and losing weight, my breasts no longer looked the way I wanted them to,” she said. “And I thought, ‘Why be unhappy with this part of my body after working so hard to make all these other improvements in my life?'”
A friend referred Gilbert to Dr. Basu, who worked with her to find the right size and type of breast implant. At the same time as her breast augmentation, she performed a breast lift to give her the look and shape she desired. “Couldn’t be happier with the results. get that confidence back and feeling better about myself resonates with every part of my life, including my family,” Gilbert said. “I want my kids to be happy and secure in their life and who they are, and if they don’t see that in me, it’s hard for them to see it in themselves.”
more patients
While the rise in cosmetic procedures may be driven by women under 45, Basu says she’s seeing more patients from all age and gender groups who are interested in procedures to help them look and feel their best.
“We see ourselves on a computer screen much more often and are much more aware of our appearance. And for many people, that makes them recognize that they may want to look a little younger or appear less tired, which has also led to an increase in facial and neck procedures,” Basu said. “I think something has happened in terms of the cultural values about aesthetics and well-being in this country that we had not seen before. And I think people are recognizing that it’s okay to do something for yourself.”
The survey found that more than 40 percent of plastic surgeons report longer wait times between consultation and surgery than before the pandemic, so experts encourage anyone considering a cosmetic procedure to plan ahead as much as possible. The first step is always to find a board-certified plastic surgeon who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This ensures that the surgeon is not only highly trained and experienced, but also employs the highest safety and ethical guidelines.