The year 2020 was a period of great economic uncertainty in various industries, including the beauty and medical tourism sector. However, as covid-19 restrictions eased, the interest for plastic surgeries after the pandemic has increased substantially.
This was confirmed through the 2020 annual survey [5] conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) published during 2021. The average 8 weeks that operating rooms were closed for surgical procedures in the United States were not an impediment for the sector to come back with more strength.
Here are the main reasons for this phenomenon and what is expected to happen in the coming years.
How much did the interest for plastic surgeries after the pandemic grow?
Eleven percent of women surveyed by Equation Research [1] indicated that they are more interested in cosmetic plastic surgery or nonsurgical procedures now than before COVID-19, and the figure is even higher among women who have already had surgery or a procedure: 24%, respectively.
In addition, 35% of women who have previously undergone a cosmetic surgical procedure or minimally invasive procedure planned to spend more in 2021 than in 2020 for these types of treatments.
On the other hand, different news portals such as CNBC [3], Los Angeles Times [6] and Insider [4] report the continuation of this trend during 2022. Some experts believe that this phenomenon is due to the remote work that allows postoperative recovery at home without asking for days off work, the savings generated during the pandemic and the dissatisfaction of some physical features that has generated the exposure in front of the camera of virtual meetings.
Which plastic surgeries reached an increase after the pandemic?
The top 5 cosmetic surgical procedures performed in 2020 were:
- Rhinoplasty (352,555 procedures): also known as nose reshaping, this is the procedure that repairs or remolds the shape of the nose either at the septum, tip or width. It achieves a more refined and better proportioned nose.
- Eyelid surgery (352,112 procedures): also known as blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and/or fat accumulation from the lower or upper eyelids, allowing for a less tired and more youthful look.
- Facelift (234,374 interventions): is the plastic surgery that allows tightening, correcting and toning the facial muscles, as well as eliminating facial wrinkles generated by the flaccidity of the skin and the passage of time.
- Liposuction (211,067 interventions): it is the surgical procedure that allows the elimination of localized fat deposits in different parts of the body such as abdomen, buttocks, legs, double chin, back and arms.
- Breast augmentation (193,073 interventions): also known as augmentation mammoplasty, it is a surgical procedure that lifts and increases the size of the breasts through breast implants.
Blepharoplasty: the surgery that eliminates bags under the eyes
Will plastic surgery after the pandemic be long-lasting or short-lived?
Although it is difficult to predict, these plastic surgery trends will most likely continue for years to come.
According to some experts, the normalization of working at home and the aging of the Millennial generation lead one to believe that this trend will not go away [2]. It is unlikely that the “new normal” will give way back to the “old normal” where the use of video calls was minor. In addition, those under 40 face growing older living in an online and socially networked world.
In summary
Although the pandemic crippled the performance of plastic surgery for a time, the easing of restrictions by Covid-19 has awakened a new wave of patients cheering and filling the offices of plastic surgeons in the United States and other parts of the world.
Remote work, savings during the pandemic and constant exposure to video calls are some of the main reasons that have caused this phenomenon according to several experts. Because of this, some facial surgeries such as eyelid surgery have increased in popularity compared to previous years.
At BetterMe, we have a wide list of surgical procedures that could be part of the change you are looking for in a post-pandemic world. We invite you to contact us to ask any questions you may have about our prices in Colombia, travel plans, medical staff, etc., and thus, start your pre-consultation process with us.
Another post you might want to read: 10 things you need to know about plastic surgery in Colombia
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References:
[1] American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2022. American Society of Plastic Surgeons Unveils COVID-19’s Impact and Pent-Up Patient Demand Fueling the Industry’s Current Post-Pandemic Boom. [online] Available at: <https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/american-society-of-plastic-surgeons-unveils-covid19s-impact-and-pent-up-patient-demand-fueling-the-industrys-current-post-pandemic-boom#:~:text=During%20the%20pandemic%2C%2011%25%20of,procedure%20%E2%80%93%2024%25%2C%20respectively> [Accessed 3 June 2022].
[2] American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2022. Will the plastic surgery boom last after the pandemic?. [online] Available at: <https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/will-the-plastic-surgery-boom-last-after-the-pandemic> [Accessed 3 June 2022].
[3] Green, D., 2022. How remote work and social media are creating a plastic surgery boom. [online] CNBC. Available at: <https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/08/plastic-surgery-is-booming-thanks-to-remote-work-and-social-media.html> [Accessed 3 June 2022].
[4] Insider. 2022. Hollywood’s plastic surgeons say business boomed during pandemic lockdowns, as celebrities got liposuction, nose jobs, and other invasive procedures. [online] Available at: <https://www.insider.com/celebrities-plastic-surgery-covid-demand-secret-facelifts-liposuction-nose-job-2022-2> [Accessed 3 June 2022].
[5] Isaps.org. 2022. ISAPS INTERNATIONAL SURVEY ON AESTHETIC/COSMETIC PROCEDURES 2020. [online] Available at: <https://www.isaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ISAPS-Global-Survey_2020.pdf> [Accessed 3 June 2022].
[6] Los Angeles Times. 2022. The pandemic has created a boom for plastic surgery, doctors say. [online] Available at: <https://www.latimes.com/california/newsletter/2022-01-25/pandemic-plastic-surgery-boom-essential-california> [Accessed 3 June 2022].
