Don’t let recession pressures up your exposure: under-promise and over-deliver
May 31, 2009
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
April 7, 2009
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
April 1, 2009
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
February 9, 2009
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
August 25, 2008
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?
July 25, 2008
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.
Key to Angelina-like Cheeks - Add Volume to Deep Fat Compartment
June 11, 2008
ASPS Study Says Discovery of Deep Fat Compartment Essential to Facial Rejuvenation
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Not only are cheeks central to your face – they are central to the American concept of beauty. A study in June’s Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), found that a deep fat compartment located within the cheek is vital to a youthful-looking face. Not only does rejuvenating or returning volume to this fat compartment make the cheek more youthful, it also improves volume loss under the eyes, helps eliminate “parentheses” lines around the nose and mouth and gives more curve to the upper lip – essentially restoring a youthful appearance to the overall face. Read more
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures for Ethnic Patients Up 13 Percent in 2007
March 25, 2008
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Almost a quarter (2,626,700) of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed on ethnic patients in 2007, up 13 percent from last year, including Hispanics, African Americans and Asian Americans, according to statistics released today by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Since 2006, cosmetic plastic surgery procedures increased in the following demographic categories: up 8 percent (1,011,000) in Hispanics, up 8 percent (847,800) in African Americans, and up 26 percent (767,800) in Asian Americans.
“A key take-away from this data is that the plastic surgery patient profile is changing,” said ASPS President Richard A. D’Amico, MD. “The majority of patients remain Caucasian women, but it is noteworthy that cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed on almost as many Hispanic patients as male patients.” Read more










