Minimally Invasive Procedures Lead the Way
Relatively speaking, cosmetic surgery has held its own in a down economy. Rough estimates show that the trend in the number of procedures in 2010 is not that far below numbers in 2009 and 2008. What has changed is that patients are opting for less invasive procedures like wrinkle relaxing and dermal fillers rather than tummy tucks and facelifts. The procedures are less expensive, sure, but the time away from work is also a lot less. People that are employed are working harder and more efficiently than they did a few years ago because of the economic environment.
BOTOX still tops the list as the most frequently performed procedure although dermal fillers are gaining ground. If it can improve the look of the skin on the face, does not cost too much (relatively speaking) and can be done in an hour or so, people are clamoring for it. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion are examples of fast skin rejuvenation procedures that are still hot in 2010.
Cosmetic Surgical Procedures
The major invasive procedures, on the other hand, are not quite as popular as they were a few years ago. Breast augmentation, nose reshaping and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) still top the list, but the numbers of procedures perform have seen a decline in 2009 and 2010. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and liposuction (all locations) round out the list of the top five invasive cosmetic surgery procedures.
These “Big Ten” procedures, especially the non-invasive procedures, have sustained popularity despite a depressed economy. Experts suggest though, that as state taxes on cosmetic procedures are passed and take effect, even this robust industry may take a hit. The so called “Botax” apparently was axed from the final version of HR 3200 (the federal health care reform bill). Nevertheless, New Jersey has a version of the Botax on the books and other states may follow suit.
FDA Keeping up with Technology?
Regardless of a cosmetic procedure tax, new techniques are still being developed, approved and/or cleared by the FDA. Breast augmentation received a boost as the FDA approved cohesive gel implants earlier this year. For women that are still concerned about potential dangers of silicone breast implants that may leak, the FDA approved the use of cohesive gel implants that retain the same look and feel of silicone implants but are constructed of a solid rather than liquid silicone. Cohesive gel implants are called gummy bear implants because they have roughly the same consistency as the small candy.
Also gaining ground in 2010 is Mesotherapy. What had kept products like Lipodissolve from a wider audience is that most physicians were skeptical about its effectiveness and its safety. However part of the problem was that there was no standardized ingredients or dosing in Mesotherapy and no way to compare results. Recent clinical studies using standardized ingredients suggest that there may be something to the claim that fat can be melted away by injection. As more results are published, expect Mesotherapy to take off in the second half of 2010.
Other Notables
Other procedures that entered the scene in the past year or so are Ulthera, BodyTite, Body Jet and Juvista. Ulthera uses ultrasound energy to tighten the skin and muscles of the face. It has been applied primarily to the muscles in the neck (platysma muscle) but could theoretically be used in any area that needs to be tightened. BodyTite uses radiofrequency ablation to destroy fat cells while Body Jet accomplishes this same task through high pressure water infusion. Both BodyTite and Body Jet are forms of liposuction.
Juvista is an injection (recombinant Transforming Growth Factor Beta 3) that may be able to reduce the appearance of scars either from surgery, injury or stretch marks. Juvista and another molecule in development from the same company called Juvidex may accelerate and improve the way that skin heals. While these drugs are not yet approved for widespread use, be looking for them in the second half of 2010 and in 2011.