2008 Cosmetic Surgery Statistics

NEW YORK, NY (March 16, 2009) – Over 10.2 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed in the United States in 2008, according to statistics released today by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The Aesthetic Society, after collecting multi-specialty procedural statistics since 1997, says the overall number of cosmetic procedures has increased 162 percent since the collection of the statistics first began. The most frequently performed nonsurgical procedure was Botox injections and the most popular surgical procedure was Breast Augmentation.

"For the first time in the twelve years these statistics have been collected liposuction is a runner up in popularity to breast augmentation. There is no doubt that this turnabout will generate discussions in the medical community and the public at large," Alan Gold, MD, Aesthetic Society president, reflects that "changes in fashion, i.e. décolletage baring styles, might be a factor behind this change."

TRENDS AND DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Top surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures among men and women in 2008:

Surgical # procedures Nonsurgical # procedures

Breast Augmentation: 355,671 Botox 2,464,123

Lipoplasty (Liposuction) 341,144 Laser Hair Removal 1,280,964

Eyelid Surgery 195,104 Hyaluronic Acid

(including Hylaform, Juvederm, Perlane/Restylane) 1,262,848

Rhinoplasty 152,434 Chemical Peel 591,808

Abdominoplasty 147,392 Laser Skin Resurfacing 570,880

Top cosmetic procedures for WOMEN:

Surgical # procedures Nonsurgical # procedures

Breast augmentation 355,671 Botox 2,239,024

Lipoplasty 309,692 Hyaluronic Acid

(including Hylaform, Juvederm, Perlane/Restylane) 1,200,420

Eyelid surgery 166,426 Laser Hair Removal 1,101,255

Abdominoplasty 143,005 Chemical Peel 554,492

Breast Reduction 139,926 Laser Skin Resurfacing 532,008

Women had almost 92 percent of cosmetic procedures. The number of procedures (surgical and nonsurgical) performed on women was over 9.3 million, a decrease of over 11 percent from the previous year. Surgical procedures decreased 15 percent; nonsurgical procedures decreased by 11 percent. Since 1997, surgical procedures increased 104 percent, while nonsurgical procedures have increased 233 percent.

Top cosmetic procedures for MEN:

Surgical # procedures Nonsurgical # procedures

Liposuction 31,453 Botox injection 225,099

Rhinoplasty 30,174 Laser hair removal 179,708

Eyelid Surgery 28,678 Hyaluronic Acid

(including Hylaform, Juvederm, Perlane/Restylane) 62,428

Gynecomastia 19,124 IPL laser treatment 46,887

Hair transplantation 18,062 Microdermabrasion 39,824

Men had over 8 percent of cosmetic procedures. The number of procedures (surgical and nonsurgical) performed on men was over 800,000 a decrease of over 21 percent from the previous year. Surgical procedures decreased 18 percent; nonsurgical procedures decreased 22 percent. Since 1997, surgical procedures have decreased over 15 percent while nonsurgical procedures have increased 239 percent.

Frequency of cosmetic procedures by AGE GROUP:

% of total Age # procedures Top surgical procedure Top nonsurgical procedure

45% 35-50 4.6 million Liposuction Botox

26% 51-64 2.7 million Eyelid Surgery Botox

22% 19-34 2.2 million Breast augmentation Laser Hair Removal

6% 65 and over 634,667 Eyelid Surgery Botox

2% 18 and under 160,283 Rhinoplasty Laser Hair Removal

Racial and Ethnic Distribution
Racial and ethnic minorities accounted for 20 percent of all cosmetic procedures in 2008. Hispanics again led minority racial and ethnic groups in the number of procedures: Hispanics, 8 percent; African-Americans, 6 percent; Asians, 4 percent; and other non-Caucasians, 2 percent.

Location and Fees
Over fifty-three percent (53 percent) of cosmetic procedures in 2008 were performed in office-based facilities; 26 percent in freestanding surgicenters; and 19 percent in hospitals. Americans spent just under $12 billion on cosmetic procedures; $7.2 billion was for surgical procedures, and $4.6 billion was for nonsurgical procedures.

About the ASAPS Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank
ASAPS, working with an independent research firm, compiled the 12-year national data for procedures performed 1997-2008. A paper-based questionnaire was mailed to 16,000 Board-Certified physicians (6,000 Dermatologists, 6,000 Otolarynologists, and 4,000 Plastic Surgeons). A total of 894 completed and valid responses (461 Plastic Surgeons, 277 Dermatologists, and 156 Otolaryngologists) were received in time for tabulation.

Final figures have been projected to reflect nationwide statistics and are based exclusively on the Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons; Otolaryngologists; and Dermatologists. The findings have been aggregated and extrapolated to the known population of 23,600 physicians who are Board Certified in these specialties. Though the confidence intervals change by procedure, depending on the grouping’s sample size and the response variance, the overall survey portion of this research has a standard error of +/- 3.21% at a 95% level of confidence.

Quick Facts: Highlights of the ASAPS 2008 Statistics on Cosmetic Surgery:

There were over 10 million surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in the United States in 2008, as reported by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Surgical procedures accounted for 17% of the total with nonsurgical procedures making up 83% of the total.

From 2007-2008, there was over a 12 percent decrease in the total number of cosmetic procedures. Surgical procedures decreased by 15 percent, and nonsurgical procedures decreased by almost 12 percent.

The top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in 2008 were: Botox injection (2,464,123 procedures); laser hair removal (1,280,964 procedures); hyaluronic acid (1,262,848 procedures); chemical peel (591,808 procedures); and laser skin resurfacing (570,880 procedures).

Women had over 9.3 million cosmetic procedures, almost 92% percent of the total. The number of cosmetic procedures for women decreased over 11 percent from 2007.

The top five surgical procedures for men were: liposuction, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, breast reduction to treat enlarged male breasts, and hair transplantation.

People age 35-50 had the most procedures – over 4.5 million and 45 percent of the total. People age 19-34 had 22 percent of procedures; age 51-64 had 26 percent; age 65-and-over had 6 percent; and age 18-and-younger had almost 2 percent.

Where cosmetic surgeries were performed: office facility, 53 percent, hospital 19 percent; and free- standing surgicenter, 26 percent.

Of the doctors surveyed 74 percent say they do not offer “spa” services (e.g. wraps, facials, massages) in conjunction with their medical practices. 86 percent of the doctors say they do not work in conjunction with medical spas where nonsurgical procedures, such as injections and laser procedures are performed.

Since 1997, there has been over 162 percent increase in the total number of cosmetic procedures. Surgical procedures increased by almost 80 percent, and nonsurgical procedures increased by over 233 percent.

The top five surgical cosmetic procedures in 2008 were: breast augmentation (355,671 procedures); liposuction (341,144procedures); eyelid surgery (195,104 procedures); rhinoplasty (152,434 procedures); and abdominoplasty (147,392 procedures).

The top five surgical procedures for women were: breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty and breast reduction.

Men had over 800,000 cosmetic procedures, 8 percent of the total. The number of cosmetic procedures for men decreased over 21 percent from 2007.

The most common procedures for age 18-and-under were: laser hair removal, chemical peel, microdermabrasion, rhinoplasty and IPL laser treatment.

Racial and ethnic minorities, as of last year, had approximately 20 percent of all cosmetic procedures, a decrease of 1 percent from 2007: Hispanics, 8 percent; African-Americans, 6 percent; Asians, 4 percent; and other non-Caucasians, 2 percent.

Americans spent almost $11.8 billion on cosmetic procedures last year. Figures may not add exactly to totals and percentages may not equal 100 percent due to rounding.

Procedure Best Candidate Physician
Surgeon Fees* Length of Procedure Number of treatments Results** Back to Work

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Protruding abdomen; excess fat and skin; weak abdominal muscles $5,232 2-5 hours One Permanent 1-3 weeks

Botox
Frown lines and crow's feet
$382 30 minutes Repeat treatments 4-6 months Temporary No downtime

Breast Augmentation - Saline Small, disproportionate breasts $3,583 1-2 hours One Permanent possible implant replacement 1-2 weeks

Breast Augmentation - Silicone Small, disproportionate breasts $4,005 1-2 hours One Permanent possible implant replacement 1-2 weeks

Breast Lift Sagging, poorly shaped breasts $4,258 1½-3½ hours One Long-lasting 1-2 weeks

Breast Reduction Large, heavy, pendulous, or disproportionate breasts $5,550 2-4 hours One Permanent 1-2 weeks

Buttock Lift Sagging skin, excess fat, weakened muscles in thigh/buttocks area $4,878 2 hours One Long-lasting 10-14 days

Cellulite treatment
(mechanical roller massage therapy) Dimpled thighs and buttocks $223 30-45 minutes Ongoing Temporary No downtime

Cheek Implants $2,720 2 hours One Permanent 1-2 weeks

Chemical Peel
(ranges from light to deep) Sun-damaged or unevenly pigmented skin $848 ½ hour-3 hours
Depends on type of peel One or multiple
Depends on type of peel Long-lasting Depends on type of peel

Chin Augmentation Receding chin $2,095 1 hour One Permanent 1-2 weeks

Dermabrasion Acne, wrinkles around mouth, sun-damaged skin $1,376 A few minutes-1½ hours Multiple sessions Long-lasting 7-10 days

Ear Surgery Protruding or disproportionate ears $2,951 2-3 hours One Permanent 5 days

Eyelid Surgery Excess fat, wrinkled, drooping skin of upper eyelids; bags, puffiness under eyes $2,813 1-3 hours One Long-lasting Within 10 days

Facelift Loose skin, deep lines, wrinkles, jowls $6,298 2-3 hours One Long-lasting Within 2 weeks

Forehead Lift
Sagging, low eyebrows, forehead creases, frown lines
$3,148 1-2 hours One Long-lasting Within 10 days

Gynecomastia, treatment of Enlarged male breasts $3,305 2 hours One Permanent 1 week

Hair transplantation Hair loss with the availability of healthy hair in donor areas $5,033 Several hours Multiple sessions over 1-2 years Permanent Several days

Laser Hair Removal Unwanted hair on face or body $347 1-2 hours
Depends on area Multiple sessions Ongoing No downtime

Laser Skin Resurfacing Fair, non-oily skin; sun-damaged facial skin, wrinkles around mouth and eyes, acne scars $2,484 Variable, up to 1 ½ hours
One or multiple depending on laser and skin condition Long-lasting Variable, up to 14 days

Laser treatment of Leg Veins Very small spider veins $407 30 minutes - 1 hour Multiple sessions Permanent No downtime

Lip augmentation (surgical) Thin lips $1,819 1 hour One Permanent Within 1 week

Lipoplasty (liposuction) -
suction-assisted Normal weight with isolated fatty areas $2,697 45 minutes - 2 hours One Permanent 1-2 weeks

Lipoplasty (liposuction) - ultrasound-assisted Normal weight with isolated fatty areas $2,979 45 minutes - 2 hours One Permanent 1-2 weeks

Lower Body Lift Skin laxity without significant fat deposits $7,810 Up to 8 hours One Long-lasting Up to 4 weeks

Microdermabrasion Fine lines, crow's feet, age spots, acne scars $149 Multiple sessions 2-3 week intervals Temporary No downtime

Rhinoplasty Nose too large, wide, or tip needs reshaping $4,188 1-2 hours One Permanent 7-10 days

Sclerotherapy Spider veins $326 30 minutes - 1 hour 3-4 treatments
Injections Permanent No downtime

Soft Tissue Fillers
1) Autologous Fat folds, lips, frown lines, and facial recontouring $1,395 1 hour depending on the sites Highly variable, repeat treatments Temporary 1-4 days, Extensive 7-14 days

2) Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse/Radiance) Nasolabial folds, frown lines, crow's feet, and lips $911 Less than 1 hour Repeat treatments 2 years or longer Temporary No downtime

3) Collagen Frown lines, crow's feet, nasolabial folds $398-488 Less than 1 hour Repeat treatments 3-6 months Temporary No downtime

4) Hyaluronic acid (Hylaform, Restylane) Nasolabial folds, forehead wrinkles, smile lines, and lips $527 Less than 1 hour Repeat treatments 4 months - 1 year Temporary No downtime

Thigh Lift Loose, excess skin $4,653 2 hours One Long-lasting 2-4 weeks

Upper Arm Lift Excess skin and fat on underside of arm $3,610 2 hours One Long-lasting 1-2 weeks

2008 Graphs

Top 5 Surgical Procedures

Top 5 Non-Surgical Procedures

Top 5 Procedures for Women

Top 5 Procedures for Men