The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the largest plastic surgery organization in the world, representing 92% of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the U.S., has unveiled its 2022 procedural research findings.
These results, compiled in partnership with CosmetAssure and PatientNow, reveal that 26.2 million cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, both surgical and minimally invasive, were performed across the United States in 2022 which is the last year this data was gathered. Notably, cosmetic surgery procedures have surged by 19% since 2019.
Commenting on the findings, ASPS President Dr. Gregory Greco said, “This data highlights a growing trendโmore people are seeking ways to look and feel their best. With the rising interest and acceptance of plastic surgery, ASPS member surgeons remain dedicated to maintaining the highest safety standards and prioritizing education for both patients and providers.”
Cosmetic Surgical Procedures (2022)
Liposuction led the list of cosmetic surgical procedures with a 23% increase since 2019, indicating its sustained popularity according to Allure. While liposuction is not primarily a weight-loss procedure, patients often wonder about its potential for weight loss according to virginiasurgicalarts.com.
Breast augmentation, while still in high demand, saw a modest increase of 4%, suggesting stable trends in this area. Research Gate notes that Abdominoplasty showed the highest growth at 37%, followed by breast lifts at 30%, reflecting rising interest in body contouring procedures.
Breast reduction surgeries experienced the most dramatic growth, surging by 54%, potentially due to increasing awareness of the health and aesthetic benefits.
Cosmetic Minimally Invasive Procedures (2022)
Minimally invasive procedures have seen explosive growth, with neuromodulator injections (such as Botox) and hyaluronic acid fillers leading the way, increasing by 73% and 70%, respectively according to NCBI.
These trends underscore the growing appeal of non-surgical options for facial rejuvenation. Procedures like skin resurfacing and laser-based skin treatments, although newly tracked, highlight advancements in dermatologic technology and their integration into cosmetic care.
Reconstructive Procedures (2022)
Reconstructive procedures saw mixed trends. Tumor removal remained the most common procedure, though it slightly declined by 2%. Hand surgeries maintained stable demand, reflecting their essential nature in restoring function.
MDPI shows that breast reconstruction showed a 12% increase, suggesting growing access to and prioritization of post-mastectomy options. Maxillofacial and scar revision surgeries experienced notable declines, potentially due to evolving treatment methods or reduced patient demand.
Post-Pandemic Drive
In the post-pandemic era, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has observed significant growth in the number of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures performed compared to 2019.
Many patients, no longer delaying procedures they had been considering, have taken advantage of increased flexibility from remote and hybrid work arrangements, which provide more time for recovery.
Face and Neck Take Focus
Patients have increasingly prioritized enhancing the features they see first in the mirror: their face and neck. Behavioral trends during the pandemic, like wearing masks, shifted focus to the eyes, likely contributing to the surge in eyelid surgeries.
Eyelid surgery ranked as the fourth most popular cosmetic procedure in 2022 as noted by SNH Health Care. Additionally, there was an 8% rise in facelift procedures and a dramatic 150% increase in cheek implants.
Body-Centric Procedures Remained Prominent
Pandemic-related weight fluctuations led to a rise in both surgical and nonsurgical body contouring procedures. Liposuction saw a 23% increase, while noninvasive fat reduction treatments surged by 77% compared to 2019.
Breast cancer mortality has also dropped by 44%, which may reflect advancements in early detection and improved treatments, contributing to an increased focus on overall breast health and enhancement.
Breast augmentation remained a highly sought-after surgical procedure, second only to liposuction. Breast lifts experienced a 30% increase, reflecting continued interest in body enhancement. Meanwhile, breast reductions increased by 54%, signifying a shift toward prioritizing comfort alongside aesthetics.
Social Media Influences Trends and Perception
The rise of social media during and after the pandemic has contributed to a shift in how plastic surgery is perceived. Greater openness about personal cosmetic journeys has reduced stigma and fueled demand for certain procedures.
Lip augmentation with fillers emerged as one of the top five minimally invasive treatments for the first time. Buccal fat removal, although not previously tracked, saw over 4,500 procedures in 2022.
Average Surgeon Fees for Cosmetic Procedures
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported that in 2022, approximately 26.2 million cosmetic and reconstructive procedures were performed in the United States, marking a 19% increase since 2019. And according to them, these are the average fees.
Surgical Procedures
- Liposuction remains a popular choice for body contouring, with an average cost of $3,637.
- Breast augmentation averages $4,294, reflecting its continued demand among patients seeking enhanced breast volume.
- Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is among the more expensive procedures, averaging $7,215, due to its complexity and the extent of work involved.
- Breast lift procedures average $5,817, catering to individuals aiming to address sagging breasts.
- Eyelid surgery costs around $3,345, appealing to those looking to rejuvenate the eye area.
- Breast reduction averages $6,771, indicating its role in providing both aesthetic and functional benefits.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
- Neuromodulator injections, such as Botox, are relatively affordable at $466, contributing to their widespread popularity.
- Hyaluronic acid fillers average $684, offering a non-surgical option for facial volume enhancement.
- Chemical peels and microdermabrasion are cost-effective skin rejuvenation treatments, averaging $519 and $167 respectively.
- Laser skin resurfacing is a more advanced treatment with an average cost of $1,201, reflecting the technology and expertise required.
Plastic Surgery Trends for 2025
According to Allure, these are trends for plastic surgery that will go on in 2025.
1. Brow Lifts are Making a Comeback
Elevate your look with a brow lift! โจ This procedure targets drooping eyebrows and excess skin on the forehead, helping to create a more youthful and refreshed appearance. If youโre ready to explore how a brow lift, click the link below.https://t.co/2IyFzyx2H9 pic.twitter.com/j920zENq79
โ Darrick E. Antell (@DrDarrickAntell) October 25, 2024
- After years dominated by Botox, brow lifts are regaining popularity.
- Temporal brow lifts (lifting the lateral brows) are trending due to their natural results and smaller incisions.
- Surgeons report a dramatic increase in demand, with some performing as many brow lifts in three weeks as they used to in a year.
2. Fuller Faces and Facial Fat Grafting
- The hollow, angular look is losing favor, with patients opting for fuller, youthful faces.
- Facial fat grafting is on the rise, where fat from liposuction is repurposed to plump areas like cheeks and temples.
- Up to 75% of transferred fat remains permanently.
3. Fillers Decline and Surgery Rises
- Concerns over long-term filler effects (like skin distortion and unevenness) are leading patients to opt for surgery.
- Jawline surgeries and facelifts are growing, especially among younger patients (40s to 50s).
- Facelift results can last eight to 12 years.
4. The โOzempic Makeoverโ Surge
View this post on Instagram
- Weight loss from GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic is reshaping body contouring trends:
- Increase in tummy tucks, liposuction, and skin-tightening procedures like arm and leg lifts.
- Patients seek surgeries to address sagging skin from rapid weight loss.
5. Breast Surgery Evolves
- Smaller implants are trending as patients shift from dramatic curves to a more natural aesthetic.
- The new Motiva implant is gaining attention for its reduced risk of capsular contracture (<1% in four years vs. 12% to 19% in 10 years for other implants).
6. Facelift Innovations
- Techniques like โquiltingโ from Brazil eliminate external drains and offer better healing.
- Quilting stitches secure skin to underlying tissue, reducing fluid build-up and improving contours.
7. Focus on Filler Damage Control
- Patients reversing overfilled faces often require fat grafting or facelifts to restore balance.
- Microfat grafting permanently adds volume, while nanofat improves skin quality.
8. Shift to Natural Aesthetics
- Patients are leaning towards โless is moreโ approaches:
- Fewer fillers, softer contours, and subtler breast augmentations.
- Emphasis on natural, refreshed looks over exaggerated features.
Methodology
- Data collection: We gathered the latest statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), including procedural volumes, trends, and average costs for 2022.
- Analysis of trends: We examined the percentage changes since 2019 to identify post-pandemic shifts in patient preferences and procedure demands.
- Cost insights: Average surgeon fees were sourced from ASPS reports, providing a detailed breakdown of surgical and minimally invasive procedures.
- Supplementary research: Additional insights were referenced from credible sources like ResearchGate, Allure, NCBI, and MDPI to contextualize trends and behavioral drivers.
- Presentation: The data was structured into tables and concise analyses to offer a clear and comprehensive overview for readers.
References
- Allure – Liposuction: The Most Popular Cosmetic Surgery Procedure
- ResearchGate – The Desire for Body Contouring Surgery After Bariatric Surgery
- NCBI – Growth of Neuromodulator and Filler Procedures Post-COVID
- MDPI – Breast Reconstruction Trends
- SNH Healthcare – Plastic Surgery Trends Post-Pandemic
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) – 2022 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) – Average Cost of Cosmetic Procedures in 2022
