Plastic Surgery Focuses On Face, Chest in 2007

ASPS Reports Parallel Increases in Women and Men, Closing Gender Gap

For Immediate Release: March 25, 2008

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Plastic surgery procedures of the face and chest were popular among both women and men in 2007, increasing at similar rates for similar procedures, according to statistics released today by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Facelifts increased 14 percent for women and 16 percent for men from 2006. Breast augmentation for women increased 6 percent and pectoral implants for men increased 8 percent. Further, reconstructive breast reduction for women increased 2 percent, which is a significant difference from the 9 percent decrease reported last year. Male breast reduction increased 7 percent.

“It is not surprising that the highly visible focal points of the face and chest would interest both women and men seeking plastic surgery,” said ASPS President Richard A. D’Amico, MD. “However, while 91 percent of plastic surgery procedures are performed on women and 9 percent are performed on men, it is interesting to see the rate of increase is comparable in both.”

Further, cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures for the face increased considerably for both women and men. Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse™) increased 123 percent for women and 134 percent for men, laser skin resurfacing increased 32 percent for both women and men, polylactic acid (Sculptra™) increased 38 percent for both women and men, hyaluronic acid (Restylane®, Hylaform®, Hylaform Plus® and Juvederm™) increased 35 percent for women and 24 percent for men, and Botox® increased 14 percent for women and 4 percent for men.

“Increases in facelifts and cosmetic minimally-invasive facial procedures were also sizeable in the boomer age groups, which is anticipated,” said Dr. D’Amico. “As we age, the repositioning [lifting] and volume replacing [plumping] procedures supplement one another and we advise boomer-age patients do both to maintain their desired youthful appearance.”

ASPS procedural statistics are collected through the first online national database for plastic surgery procedures, Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS). This data, combined with the annual survey sent to American Board of Medical Specialties certified physicians most likely to perform plastic surgery, results in the most comprehensive census on plastic surgery procedures.

To view the entire 2007 National Clearinghouse of Plastic Surgery Report, visit the ASPS web site, www.plasticsurgery.org. Visitors can also find information on procedures and referrals to ASPS Member Surgeons.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 6,700 physician members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 90 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.