It was reported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons that North Americans spent more than $16 billion on cosmetic procedures in the year 2016 alone. Since then plastic surgery continues to increase in popularity, with more and more people exploring the possibilities than ever before.
Whether a non-surgical rhinoplasty or a major liposuction procedure, plastic surgery is big business…and it is still growing.
Decrease in Stigma
One of the biggest reasons that plastic surgery is on the rise is that there has been a decrease in the stigma associated with it. In previous generations, celebrities would not boast about having “work” done. Instead, it was done behind closed doors and not directly discussed.
With the rise of social media and constant selfies, most celebrities have not only admitted to having plastic surgery done, but promoted the fact that they had it done. All of this honesty and positive attention has shown that plastic surgery is something that even celebrities do to achieve or maintain a certain appearance.
Increase in Types of Procedures
Another big reason for the boost in plastic surgery is that there are more procedures available than ever before. Non-invasive procedures have especially entered the forefront, making cosmetic procedures accessible. Instead of a full rhinoplasty, some patients have found success doing a non-invasive rhinoplasty to fix a minor imperfection. Before the introduction of non-invasive rhinoplasty, that same person might have avoided the procedure, feeling that a full rhinoplasty procedure was more than what they needed.
The introduction of Botox and fillers has also made cosmetic procedures not just more available, but they are also more accessible in price. Botox can cost hundreds of dollars rather than thousands of dollars. Even though the procedure is temporary with Botox, the price point is easier to swallow for many potential patients.
Drive to Maintain Youth
Just as there have been more celebrities showing off their plastic surgery, social media has also created a bigger need to maintain a youthful appearance. With all of the photo filters that are available, it is all too easy to make yourself appear with smoother younger skin than you actually have. As a result, many people would like to have that appearance all of the time.
Non-invasive procedures, such as Botox, can provide that more youthful appearance, giving patients the look that they would achieve using a photo filter. Also looking younger and fresher can be helpful when it comes to the business world. Getting rid of fine lines and wrinkles that might make you appear more tired will automatically make you seem more energized to potential employers.
Not Just North America
While the numbers in North America alone might seem staggering, plastic surgery is not limited to North America. In fact, global cosmetic surgery is reported in 103 countries, with accredited surgeons and practices all around. This means that the accessibility of plastic surgery is growing even more than we might realize.
The popular types of plastic surgery will vary from country to country, however. This could affect how much money is being spent on which specific procedures. In Brazil, for example, body contouring is popular due to the amount of time people spend at the beach whereas in the state of Utah tummy tucks are common due to the amount of children the average family has.
Regardless of where you live, plastic surgery is a big business and is continuing to grow. As it becomes more accessible for people everywhere, it is easier than ever before to achieve the look that you have always dreamed about.
