Recent data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons discusses the statistics in regards to the number of plastic surgeries performed each year; and 2012 showed a net increase in cosmetic procedures performed at 14.6 million total procedures performed for the year. The interesting part of the data was that the number of breast augmentation surgery’s actually decreased by 7% from the previous year (while the total number of procedures increased by 5%). This was the first time in six years that this has happened and it’s being fueled by the increase in minimally invasive cosmetic surgery procedures like injectables and laser treatments.
Breast augmentation surgery has always been the most popular plastic or cosmetic surgery procedure performed previously so this is certainly big news!
Why Has The Amount of Breast Augmentation Surgeries Decreased?
Many are commenting that the decrease in surgical breast procedures is due to the aging baby boomer population and their desire to look and feel younger. They seem to be undergoing more facial procedures in general whether they be surgical or non-surgical. Facelifts, minimally invasive procedures like Botox or Dermal filler injections are all on the rise. Baby boomers have decided that they just want to look younger and they seem to be turning their backs on the other enhancements. The procedures they seem to be gravitating to are facelifts, brow lifts, injectables (Botox, dermal fillers), rhinoplasty and all new laser procedures. Facial plastic surgery in general is growing faster than any other segment of elective surgery.
Will Breast Augmentation Continue To Decline?
Don’t view it as surgical breast procedures “declining” per se, it’s more of a situation where technology is improving so much that laser procedures, new injectable substances are being approved and getting mainstream attention that they are increasing and gaining market share. The women that want a fuller, more shapely bust line will still have breast augmentation surgery but they may also do Botox and a few laser procedures at the same time. This means the ration of non-invasive procedures will soon dwarf that of surgical procedures like breast augmentation.
Breast Augmentation Needs New Products
In order for the ratio of breast surgery to increase against non-surgical procedures there needs to be new advances /products. If new types of implants hit the market, new surgical techniques become possible or some other large differentiating factor happens then the number of surgical breast augmentations will increase versus non-surgical alternatives.