(Arlington Heights, IL) – After the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, more Americans are investing in themselves and opting for cosmetic procedures, despite an uncertain economy. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons polled its member surgeons nationwide and found more than three-quarters of cosmetic-focused plastic surgery practices are seeing more business than before the pandemic, with nearly 30 percent reporting their business has at least doubled.
“With COVID, we prepared for the worst. But when we were able to reopen our office, we were pleasantly surprised with the incredible surge of demand for our cosmetic services, both surgical and noninvasive,” said Bob Basu, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Houston and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “Now that the worst is hopefully behind us and people are traveling again and getting back to normal life, I initially thought that we would see some of that demand drop off, and that’s not been the case.”
Basu says there are a variety of reasons for the increased demand. For many patients, COVID shutdowns and the ability to work from home gave them the time they needed to heal without disrupting their normal busy routine. Others say the money saved on things like travel and dining out during the pandemic allowed them to invest in something that would boost their confidence.
The survey also found that women between the ages of 31 and 45 were by far the most likely to request popular procedures such as breast augmentations, liposuction and tummy tucks.
“Millennials are very sophisticated in terms of getting the information they want. They share their experiences with other people through social media platforms or other methods. And so, these procedures are no longer taboo. They’re actually relatable and accessible,” Basu said.
The survey found that over 40 percent of plastic surgeons are reporting longer wait times between consultation and surgery than before the pandemic, so experts encourage anyone considering a cosmetic procedure to plan ahead as much as possible. The first step is always to seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This ensures that the surgeon is not only highly trained and experienced, but also employs the highest safety and ethical guidelines.
