Quick Facts: Highlights of the ASAPS 2007 Statistics on Cosmetic Surgery:

   There were nearly 11.7 million surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in the United States in 2007, as reported by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Surgical procedures accounted for nearly 18% of the total with nonsurgical procedures making up 82% of the total.

   From 2006-2007, there was a 2 percent increase in the total number of cosmetic procedures. Surgical procedures increased by 8 percent, and nonsurgical procedures increased by 1 percent.

   Since 1997, there has been a 457 percent increase in the total number of cosmetic procedures. Surgical procedures increased by 114 percent, and nonsurgical procedures increased by 754 percent.

   The top five surgical cosmetic procedures in 2007 were: liposuction (456,828 procedures); breast augmentation (399,440 procedures); eyelid surgery (240,763 procedures); abdominoplasty (185,335 procedures); and breast reduction (153,087 procedures).

    The top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in 2007 were: Botox injection (2,775,176 procedures); hyaluronic acid (1,448,716 procedures); laser hair removal (1,412,657 procedures); microdermabrasion (829,658 procedures); and IPL laser treatment (647,707 procedures).

   Women had nearly 10.6 million cosmetic procedures, 91% percent of the total. The number of cosmetic procedures for women increased 1 percent from 2006.

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

    Men had nearly 1.1 million cosmetic procedures, 9 percent of the total. The number of cosmetic procedures for men increased 17 percent from 2006.

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

    People age 35-50 had the most procedures – 5.4 million and 46 percent of the total. People age 19-34 had 21 percent of procedures; age 51-64 had 25 percent; age 65-and-over had 6 percent; and age 18-and-younger had less than 2 percent.

    The most common procedures for age 18-and-under were: laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, chemical peel, otoplasty (ear reshaping) and rhinoplasty.

    Traditional racial and ethnic minorities, as of last year, had approximately 21 percent of all cosmetic procedures, an decrease of 1 percent from 2006: Hispanics, 9 percent; African-Americans, 6 percent; Asians, 5 percent; and other non-Caucasians, 2 percent.

    Where cosmetic surgeries were performed: office facility, 54 percent, hospital 17 percent; and free-standing surgicenter, 29 percent.

     Of the doctors surveyed 70 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.

     Americans spent just under $13.2 billion on cosmetic procedures last year.

 

Medical Spas are the fastest growing component of the spa industry in the U.S.  They are among the most innovative new facilities with the types of services available to both women and men.  Their popularity is increasing due to a trend in obsession with people wanting to look the best they can for as long as they can.  It is preferable to have many choices available as possible.

The decision of physicians to merge the medical aspect of their procedures with the day spa aspect of pampering patients is proving to be well-received in the community.

All spas that call themselves medical spas are not necessarily so.  There may be an MD’s name on the door, but no actual physician in the place.  What make a medical spa different from a regular spa are the medically based treatments.  There are prescription strength medicines in the products used for facials and skin treatments.  The physician plays a key part in the patient’s evaluation and care.  It is erroneous to call yourself a medical spa when a physician never comes in the facility.  In order for a facility to be called a medical spa, it must operate under the constant supervision of a licensed or board-certified healthcare professional.  If this is not in place, the level of care would be that of a regular spa.

In the past, spas were typically only available to the wealthy, famous, elite population.  The trend, however, is ever-changing and the clientele change to normal, middle class people has been on the rise for years.  They are however, expecting visible results and a positive outcome for paying their hard-earned money for these services, as they are being done in a medical facility but are not billable to an insurance company.

Many times, the ease of patients talking to their doctor is what has made the merging of traditional medicine and therapeutic spas have such rapid growth increase.  The junction was brought on by an ever-increasing desire to have the holistic and wellness aspect of treatment performed in a professional setting.  As a result, even hospitals are more courteous and affable, with a realization that healing is to be physical, mental, social, economical, and spiritual as well.  In addition to being a relaxing experience, it becomes a part of a patient’s treatment, therefore increasing their recovery from illnesses, etc.  It also creates a sincere relationship between the patient and physician, which is the utmost desire of all.

The concept of medical spas is not a new one.  This is the way medicine was practiced centuries ago and we are just getting back to what works well.  The importance lies in making sure industry standards and guidelines are being followed.  First and foremost, a healthcare professional should be available at all times and dynamically involved in the patient’s care.

As mentioned before, some patients come by way of routing examination and at that time are presented with the cosmetic aspect of healthcare, as performed by a physician.  Patients are then educated regarding weight management and lifestyle changes and evaluated and treated.  There are many practices that are useful in addition to traditional medicine.

The integration of these makes it possible to perform preventative medicine in a whole new way.  It’s not just about the superficial, as beauty begins below the surface.  The idea is to create a complete picture of health, and this comes from the certitude that good health means treating people, not just diseases.