Industry feels effects of recession, but almost 10 million cosmetic procedures were performed last year
WEDNESDAY, March 17 (HealthDay News) -- Despite the recession, almost 10 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States in 2009 -- only 2 percent fewer than the year before -- at a cost of almost $10.5 billion, according to a report by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Non-surgical procedures, the most popular being Botox injections, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion and chemical peels, accounted for 85 percent of the total. The remainder involved surgical procedures, notably breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty and abdominoplasty, which decreased by 17 percent over the previous year, the report states.
Women accounted for the lion's share of cosmetic procedures, 91 percent in all; the 4.5 million people in the 35-to-50-years age group represented 44 percent of the total, and those aged 51 to 64 years accounted for 27 percent of procedures, the data revealed.
"Plastic surgery is feeling the effects of the recession, just like many other sectors of the marketplace," Renato Saltz, M.D., president of the Aesthetic Society, said in a statement. "However, repeat patients and those putting off surgery are likely the reason for the small growth in non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Growth in demand will likely return as the recession eases and baby boomers' offspring begin to explore surgical options."
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