Plastic Surgery Procedures Continue Steady Growth in U.S.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons Reports 15.1 Million Cosmetic Procedures in 2013; Marks Fourth Consecutive Year of Growth

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. -- The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) today released its annual plastic surgery procedural statistics reporting that 15.1 million cosmetic surgery procedures, including both minimally-invasive and surgical, were performed in the United States in 2013, up 3 percent since 2012. In addition, 5.7 million reconstructive surgery procedures were performed last year, up 2 percent. What's behind the boost? New products and advances in technology may be paving the way for plastic surgery's growth.

In 2013 alone, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved several new plastic surgery devices and products, including two form-stable silicone gel breast implants and a hyaluronic acid facial filler designed to treat mid-face volume loss. In fact, all three U.S. based breast implant manufacturers now have form-stable implants on the market.

"The demand for plastic surgery remains strong, with our statistics showing increases in both cosmetic surgical and minimally-invasive procedures," said ASPS President Robert X. Murphy, MD. "Facial rejuvenation procedures were especially robust last year, with more Americans opting for facelifts, forehead lifts, eyelid surgery, fillers and peels. With new devices and products hitting the market each year, there are more options and choices available to consumers wanting to refresh their look or a little nip and tuck."

Injectable Nation

Cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures increased 3 percent, to more than 13.4 million procedures in 2013. The top five minimally-invasive procedures were:

• Botulinum toxin type A (6.3 million injections, up 3 percent)
• Soft tissue fillers (2.2 million procedures, up 13 percent)
• Chemical peel (1.2 million procedures, up 3 percent)
• Laser hair removal (1.1 million procedures, down 4 percent)
• Microdermabrasion (970,000 procedures, no change)

Botulinum toxins, such as Botox® and Dysport®, and facial fillers continue to be among the most popular cosmetic treatments in the U.S. In fact, botulinum toxin type A injections are up 700 percent since 2000. However, one filler, hyaluronic acid, stood out among the crowd in 2013, with nearly 1.7 million procedures performed, up a whopping 18 percent from 2012.

Silicone Surge

Cosmetic surgical procedures rose 1 percent, to nearly 1.7 million procedures in 2013. The top five surgical procedures were:

• Breast augmentation (290,000 procedures, up 1 percent)
• Nose reshaping (221,000 procedures, down 9 percent)
• Eyelid surgery (216,000 procedures, up 6 percent)
• Liposuction (200,000 procedures, down 1 percent)
• Facelift (133,000 procedures, up 6 percent)

As the number of breast augmentations increased in 2013, more women opted for silicone breast implants. Silicone implants were used in 72 percent of all breast augmentations performed last year, while saline implants were only used in 28 percent. Advances such as form-stable silicone implants, that are teardrop-shaped like natural breasts, and even fat grafting to the breast, are offering women more natural-looking and feeling results.

First-Timers

For the first time, ASPS is reporting on two highly talked about procedures that are on the rise in the U.S. -- buttock augmentation with fat grafting and neck lifts. Last year, nearly 10,000 buttock augmentations with fat grafting were performed, an increase of 16 percent from 2012. With the neck being one of the first areas to show one's age, neck lifts are becoming increasingly popular, with more than 55,000 procedures performed last year, up 6 percent from 2012.

Reconstructive plastic surgery, which improves function and appearance to abnormal structures, increased 2 percent in 2013. The top six reconstructive procedures were:

• Tumor removal (4.4 million, up 5 percent)
• Laceration repair (254,000, down 13 percent)
• Maxillofacial surgery (199,000, down 5 percent)
• Scar revision (177,000, up 4 percent)
• Hand surgery (131,000, up 6 percent)
• Breast reconstruction (96,000, up 4 percent)

"It's promising to see breast reconstruction rates rising," said Dr. Murphy. "Less than 20 percent of breast cancer patients undergo breast reconstruction because they are not always informed of their options, although studies show that reconstruction greatly improves quality of life. In 2012, we launched a multi-year breast reconstruction awareness campaign to educate, engage and empower women to make informed decisions about their healthcare following breast cancer diagnosis. We hope that these efforts will continue to increase awareness regarding the benefits of post-mastectomy breast reconstruction."

ASPS members can report procedural information through the first online national database for plastic surgery procedures, Tracking Operations and Outcome for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS). This data, combined with an annual survey sent to American Board of Medical Specialties-certified physicians most likely to perform these procedures, results in the most comprehensive census on plastic surgery.