Are Cosmetic Procedures Becoming a Norm?

Every year, more and more people want to change how they look. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), nearly 70 percent of consumers say they’re considering a cosmetic procedure. This is a 20 percent increase from a 2014 survey.

The ASDS surveyed 7,322 people about their perspectives on cosmetic procedures. The organization found that the desire to get cosmetic work mostly stems from self-esteem concerns. The most popular reasons being, “to feel more confident,” “to look as young as I feel or better for my age,” and to “feel more attractive.” Eighty-five percent of respondents said they’re motivated to get cosmetic procedures because of “excess” body fat, making it the fourth year in a row that the highest percentage of respondents expressed the desire to eliminate fat. Over 70 percent said they want to have cosmetic work because of “lines and wrinkles around the eyes, excess fat under the chin/neck, and skin texture and/or discoloration.”

The desire to lose weight prompted 58 percent of respondents to consider body sculpting procedures, 57 percent are interested in laser and other radiofrequency treatments intended to tighten skin and decrease wrinkles, 53 percent are looking into microdermabrasion, and 47 percent are considering laser hair removal. For those who put their desires into action and sought out these procedures, 90 percent of consumers were satisfied with the majority of these treatments.

"Cosmetic procedures continue to increase in popularity, much to the credit of technological advancements made for minimally- and non-invasive techniques," ASDS President Thomas E. Rohrer, MD said. "Patients trust their dermatologists to offer advanced procedures and a variety of treatment options to help them look and feel their best."