Skin Cancer Treatments and Cosmetic Injections Were The Most Popular Dermatologic Procedures of 2018

More and more people are investing in their skin health. In 2018, there were 12.5 million dermatologic procedures performed — a 60 percent increase from 2012, with skin cancer treatments being the most popular, according to a survey recently published by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS).

Out of the 3,853 of the dermatologist who were sent the annual ASDS survey on dermatologic procedures, only around 600 dermatologists completed it. The biggest finding was the massive increase in skin cancer treatments, over 3.5 million performed — a 33 percent increase from 2012. According to study data, rates of melanoma have increased by 56 percent in the last seven years, and in conjunction, there has been an uptick in awareness of skin health.

Not surprising, cosmetic injections were enormously popular in 2018. There was a combined total of 3.7 million injections — both soft-tissue fillers and neuromodulators — performed. Juvéderm and Restylane continued to be the most common treatments. Chemical peels were highly sought after, and nearly 500,000 were performed.

Body contouring also topped the list of most popular treatments. In the last several years, body contouring has become more accessible, and patients don’t need extensive bedrest after getting procedures done. There was a total of 623,000 procedures recorded, compared with 145,495 conducted in 2012; the most common being cryolipolysis or “fat freezing” with 287,000 performed.