Non-invasive cosmetic surgery will rule this 2012
Written by: Lance Hugh
Cosmetic procedures performed in the United States continue to trend upwards. According to the latest numbers from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, both male and female patients across all demographics appear to favour minimally invasive procedures. Of the 13.1 million cosmetic procedures performed in 2010, 88 percent or 11.6 million were nonsurgical in nature. Some 48 percent of these procedures were done on patients in the 40 to 54-year-old age group and females outpaced male patients across all age groups.
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This trend is expected to grow even more in 2012 and the buzz among members of the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM) is for a continuous increase in non-invasive cosmetic procedures. As in previous years, injectable treatments like Botox and Dysport will continue to be popular and a newer injectable called Xeomin will also find a larger following in 2012. Elsewhere, neurotoxin research has yielded a new line of topical, anti-wrinkle treatments, now awaiting Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and neurotoxin applications will expand to include facial contouring and migraine remedy.
Likewise, dermal fillers used in lip augmentation and facial rejuvenation will have a strong following. Products like Restylane, along with LaViv and Belotero, are additional options for non-invasive cosmetic therapies and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) expects more males to seek non-invasive surgeries to address aging issues.
Body contouring without surgery will still be popular in 2012 and Zerona and VelaSmooth devices as well as newer laser therapies will dominate this sector. Traditional liposuction is a surgical procedure, but new technologies approved recently have made liposuction almost as nonintrusive as injectable therapies.
Clinical research and anecdotal studies present a compelling picture for the effectiveness of various non-invasive cosmetic procedures. A total of $10.1 billion was spent for cosmetic procedures in 2010, the bulk of which went to minimally invasive procedures. There are many reasons for the popularity of non-invasive cosmetic therapies.
- The procedures are relatively painless and local anaesthesia may be used to ease the process
- The treatments can be performed quickly, often as a lunch hour procedure
- Downtime is minimal and complete bed rest is not required post-treatment. Usually, patients can resume normal activities within two days
- Side effects are limited to minor swelling, some redness and bruising, all of which resolve in 48 hours
- The therapies are cost-efficient treatments are spread out over time to optimise results
- Results are instantaneous and almost immediately visible
- For the knife-shy, only minor incisions are done, if they are required at all
Cosmetic surgery professionals are excited about the possibilities in 2012 and advances in laser therapy and FDA approval of new treatments will provide better ways to deliver anti-aging and cosmetic enhancements to patients. Experts recommend that non-invasive surgeries should be used in conjunction with other aesthetic therapies to create an individualised, patient-centred plan aimed at achieving the best cosmetic results.
To read IAPAM's press release about Top Aesthetic Medicine Trends for 2012, click here, or visit PlasticSurgeryGuide.com for additional information about minimally invasive procedures.
*Some of the provided statistics derived from 2010 outcome. 2011 statistics will not become available until the end of the first quarter, if not later.
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