Male Cosmetic Surgery Slows Down While Female Cosmetic Surgery Advances

Main Category: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Article Date: 01 Apr 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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For the first time in several years, male cosmetic surgery has declined 2% during 2008. The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), a leader in the cosmetic surgery industry, conducted its annual Procedural Survey and the survey reveals that males are cutting back on cosmetic procedures.

During 2008, cosmetic surgeons have seen a 2% decrease in male clientele, while 29% more females have visited a cosmetic surgeon. Males have moved away from cosmetic procedures whereas females have continued to take advantage of the effective, less-invasive procedures due to the lower cost and the quicker recovery time. Procedures such as Botox injections and laser resurfacing have continued to remain steady for these reasons.

"For the time being, males and females are beginning to separate themselves in regards to cosmetic surgery," states AACS President Patrick McMenamin, M.D. "It used to be that the yearly percentage gain in males was matching that of the women but now women are choosing to invest in themselves while men have reduced the desire to have cosmetic surgery. The economy of course plays a role in the scaling back of cosmetic procedures but the advancement and effectiveness of less-invasive procedures has also boosted the industry for women."

Other notable findings from the survey include:

-- Over the past three years, cosmetic surgeons have seen a significant increase in both males (456%) and females (215%) electing to have laser resurfacing. Although the economy is struggling, these laser procedures are looking to be recession resistant. For instance, laser resurfacing has seen an approximate $450 decline in price since 2002.

-- The top three most performed cosmetic surgical procedures in 2008 include: liposuction, blepharoplasty and breast augmentation; while the most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedures were Botox(R) injections, laser hair removal and injectable fillers.

The 2008 Procedural Data is based on a survey of U.S.-based AACS members completed in December 2008. The entire report, conducted by RH Research, is available by contacting the Academy.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery is a professional medical society whose members are dedicated to patient safety and physician education in cosmetic surgery. Most members of the AACS are dermatologic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, head and neck surgeons, general surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, or ocular plastic surgeons - all of whom specialize in cosmetic surgery. AACS is an organization that represents all cosmetic surgeons in the American Medical Association through its seat in the AMA House of Delegates.

American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
http://www.cosmeticsurgery.org