Facelifts Make A Comeback With Boomers In 2007

Main Category: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Article Date: 10 Apr 2008 - 4:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Despite increasing consumer demand for less invasive procedures for facial rejuvenation, facelifts are making a comeback with female and male baby boomers. According to the latest statistics released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), facelifts are up 14 percent for patients ages 40 and over, with nearly 116,200 procedures performed in 2007. Facelifts, the sixth most popular surgical cosmetic procedure, have also increased 14 percent for women and 16 percent for men since 2006.

"Facelifts have been on the decline since 2000," said ASPS President Richard D'Amico, MD. "With the advent of injectables like Botox and fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm, many baby boomers thought they would substitute for a facelift. However, our latest statistics show patients now know they get the best results when surgery and injectables are used together. Facelifts are critical to lift and reposition skin and underlying tissues, while injectables are vital for plumping and restoring volume."

Sizeable increases in injectables for patients ages 40 and over included Botox® (3.6 million procedures, up 13 percent); hyaluronic acid, i.e., Restylane®, Hylaform®, Hylaform Plus® and Juvederm™ (912,000 procedures, up 33 percent); calcium hydroxylapatite, i.e., Radiesse™ (156, 600 procedures, up 129 percent); and polylactic acid, i.e., Sculptra™ (63,220 procedures, up 37 percent).

"If you have jowls the size of Kansas, you can't expect any injection on earth to move them back where they belong," said Dr. D'Amico. "The best approach is to have surgical repositioning and maintain it with fillers and injectables."

The national average cost for a facelift is $5,031 and more than $595.7 million was spent on the procedure in 2007, according to ASPS statistics. More than $3.3 billion was spent on cosmetic injectable wrinkle fillers and fighters in 2007.

To view the entire 2007 National Clearinghouse of Plastic Surgery Report, visit the ASPS Web site. Visitors can also find information on procedures and referrals to ASPS Member Surgeons.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 6,700 physician members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 90 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons