Plastic Surgeons to Discuss “Cold Botox,” Cellulite Busters and Other Hot Topics with the Media

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is bringing its popular Hot Topics in Plastic Surgery panel directly to journalists during a Hot Topics Overview/Webinar for the Media. During this dynamic hour, journalists can get answers to questions on emerging procedures, trends, and new technologies while engaging in conversation with the experts. Journalists can participate onsite in Toronto or via webinar. The webinar format is entirely Q&A.

What: The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is bringing its popular Hot Topics in Plastic Surgery panel directly to journalists during a Hot Topics Overview/Webinar for the Media. During this dynamic hour, journalists can get answers to questions on emerging procedures, trends, and new technologies while engaging in conversation with the experts. Journalists can participate onsite in Toronto or via webinar. The webinar format is entirely Q&A. Read more

New Survey Shows Interest in Cosmetic Surgery is Up - Body Contouring and Antiaging Procedures Top the List

Moms Would Opt for a Body “Makeover”; Baby Boomers Want to Fight Age with Fillers and Facelifts if Money Wasn’t an Issue.

 A decline in Americans undergoing cosmetic surgery and treatments, as reported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) today, appears to be a pause triggered by the recession rather than a wholesale change in attitudes toward cosmetic makeovers. According to a new online survey by Harris Interactive of 2,148 adults on behalf of cosmetic treatment community RealSelf.com, consumer interest in cosmetic procedures is up - way up, in many cases. More than two-thirds (69 percent) would choose to have cosmetic work done if money wasn’t an issue, up 15 points from November 2009 (54 percent), signaling interest among consumers is climbing.

Additionally, the desire for invasive plastic surgery procedures, many of which require substantial recovery time, suggests people want big changes, not just minor nips and tucks. Of those who would get cosmetic work done, almost one in three (29 percent) would choose a tummy tuck, 23 percent would want liposuction, and 13 percent would opt for a facelift. Read more

ASPS Reports Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Down in 2009, Up 69% in First Decade of New Millennium

Although it’s been a sluggish year for plastic surgery due to the economy, the long-term outlook is more encouraging. According to statistics released today by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 12.5 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in the United States in 2009, down 1 percent from 2008; up 69 percent since 2000. Nearly 5.2 million reconstructive plastic surgery procedures were performed last year.

“The industry has experienced some economic downturn during the later part of the decade due to the recession, but, overall, plastic surgery has seen growth in the first decade of the new millennium,” said ASPS President Michael McGuire, MD. “The current economic climate will likely not have an impact on long-term growth. The largest contributor to the increase in procedures over the past decade has been the advent of injectable wrinkle fighters and other minimally-invasive procedures.”

Cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures increased 1 percent, to nearly 11 million procedures in 2009. Minimally-invasive procedures are up 99 percent since 2000. The top five minimally-invasive procedures in 2009 were:

1. Botulinum toxin type A (4.8 million)
2. Soft tissue fillers (1.7 million)
3. Chemical peel (1.1 million)
4. Microdermabrasion (910,000)
5. Laser hair removal (893,000)

Read more

Don’t let recession pressures up your exposure: under-promise and over-deliver

Just three years ago, cosmetic interventions held a power that catapulted market demand for fillers, lasers and injections of botulinum toxin — a power that established aesthetic medicine as an endless frontier for fee-for-service business. Fast forward to today’s economic recession: It’s clear that even this business is affected, as many consumers are re-evaluating their cosmetic surgery plans and the money they will spend on them, in addition to applying higher scrutiny upon the services they purchase.

According to a recent poll by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 27 percent of patient respondents were considering less expensive cosmetic options, compared with 20 percent six months ago. And while their planned expenditure may be less, the expectations of the consumer have not diminished; it’s the promise of turning back the hands of time that continue to lure the consumer. But when cold hard cash is involved — especially during pressing financial times — some practitioners may unwittingly open themselves to risk by amping up their assurances of aesthetic outcomes. Read more

More Hispanics Get Botox Cosmetic Procedures

EL PASO, Texas — It comes in a little bottle, but it’s got a lot of beauty in it. It’s Botox. In a tough economy even though some people’s bank statements look ugly, they are making sure their faces don’t.

The American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) said more people are using Botox. Read more

American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) 2008 Procedural Statistics

Tough economic times may have caused a decline in some areas of cosmetic surgery, but procedures among ethnic patients are up. According to statistics released today by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), ethnic cosmetic procedures increased 11 percent in 2008, with more than 3 million performed, while procedures among Caucasians dropped 2 percent. Cosmetic procedures among Hispanics, the largest and fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S., experienced the greatest growth; up 18 percent. Read more

Divorce, Antidepressants, Or Weight Gain/Loss Can Add Years To Your Face

Your mother’s wrinkles — or lack there of, may not be the best predictor of how you’ll age. In fact, a new study claims just the opposite. The study, involving identical twins, suggests that despite genetic make-up, certain environmental factors can add years to a person’s perceived age. Results just published on the web-based version of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery(R), the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), reveal that factors like divorce or the use of antidepressants are the real culprits that can wreak havoc on one’s face. Read more

Cosmetic surgery: The new tools of the corporate trade

Your bosses and co-workers can claim diet and exercise all they want. The truth is, that healthy glow might be the result of cosmetic enhancement.

And it might put them at a competitive advantage for the next promotion.

It’s a phenomenon occurring across the country. Plastic surgery, once the dominion of Hollywood starlets, has found a home in the corporate boardroom. Read more

Want A Reason to Love Your Lower Belly Fat?

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Fat removed from the lower abdomen and inner thigh through liposuction was found to be an excellent source of stem cells, with higher stem cell concentrations than other areas of the body, reports a Brazilian-based study in August’s Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). This is the first study of its kind to examine whether fat tissues from different areas of the body vary in stem cell concentration.

“Adult stem cells, derived from our own tissues, hold strong promise for improved clinical therapies,” said J. Peter Rubin, MD, a member of the ASPS Fat Grafting Task Force who is involved in pre-clinical trial work on stem cells taken from fat. “The potential for healing and repairing injury or disease through stem cells, including conditions like breast cancer and reconstruction, heart failure, spinal injuries, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease are incredible. We may be able to more permanently and naturally get rid of pesky wrinkles or augment breasts with stem cell enriched fat in the future as well. Knowing more about the biology of stem cells will be of great value when we are ready for clinical trials in this country.”

In the study, 23 female patients having liposuction in at least four different body areas agreed to have their fat isolated for adult stem cells and analyzed to determine stem cell concentrations. The body areas that were liposuctioned were: lower abdomen, upper abdomen, inner knee, inner thigh, flank and hips.

The study results found a significant difference in stem cell concentrations in different areas of the body. A major finding was that the concentration of stem cells was greatest in the lower abdomen and inner thighs. Interestingly, stem cell concentration in the lower abdomen was five times greater than in the upper abdomen.

“The value of stem cells harvested through fat is the ready and ample supply available,” said ASPS President Richard D’Amico, MD. “Using stem cells will some day have very practical applications to the specialty of plastic surgery. That we may be able to generate new tissue or bone that can be used in many of the reconstructive and cosmetic procedures we do every day is a tremendous.”

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that have not yet developed a specific function. Not only are they capable of self renewal, stem cells can divide and produce others that become specialized cells. Scientists and doctors theorize that stem cells will be able to repair or replace damaged or diseased cells. Clinical trials researching the potential of stem cells from fat are ongoing in Europe and Asia. In the U.S., there are many investigators doing pre-clinical trial work to meet the stringent safety guidelines the FDA sets for clinical trials.

According to ASPS statistics, more than 301,000 liposuction procedures were performed in 2007.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 6,700 physician members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 90 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Next Page »