Breast augmentation surgery still tops the charts as the most popular cosmetic surgery in the U.S., according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Despite the perennial popularity of breast augmentation, the society’s newly released 2011 annual report shows that more Americans are choosing minimally invasive cosmetic procedures such as Botox and fillers over surgical procedures. While the number of surgical cosmetic procedures declined somewhat last year, non-invasive cosmetic procedures increased more than 120%.
In 2011, nearly 14 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S., double the number performed in 2000. However, the number of surgical procedures performed today is not quite half the number performed a decade ago: 1 in 9 in 2011, compared to 1 in 5 in 2000. Today, nearly 90% of the cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S. are non-invasive, with Botox leading the pack. Last year, Americans received nearly 5 million botulinum toxin type A (Botox and Dysport) treatments. By comparison, only 1.9 million treatments of hyaluronic acid (Restylane and Perlane), the second most popular injectable, were administered.
The popularity of non-invasive cosmetic treatments appears to be driven by their significantly less expensive cost, non-existent down time, and near-immediate results, even though those results are not permanent. Botox and fillers typically last only 3 to 12 months; however they typically cost only $376 compared to the $3,694 average cost of a typical surgical procedure.
In 2011, America’s most popular cosmetic surgery procedures were:
- Breast augmentation
- Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping)
- Liposuction
- Eyelid surgery
- Face lift
- Tummy tuck
- Breast lift
- Dermabrasion
- Forehead lift
- Ear surgery
To keep your skin looking young and healthy this summer, pamper your skin with professional skin care products formulated to protect, repair and hydrate tender facial skin:
- Obagi Nu-Derm Program heals and transforms skin at the cellular level, evening color and leaving skin looking younger and healthier.
- Prevage MD uses topical antioxidants to trap and wash away skin-damaging free radicals.
To keep your skin supple and hydrated during the hot, dry summer months, follow these beauty tips:
Protect your skin from sun damage with a broad-spectrum sun screen, SPF 15 or higher.- Avoid skin care products that contain alcohol or retinoids and minimize use of acne products. Such products strip away natural protective oils, causing excessive drying.
- To give your skin a healthy glow, chow down on color-rich veggies rich in beta-carotene and lycopene, such as tomatoes, watermelon, carrots, spinach, yams, apricots and peaches. According to a study published in the journal PLoS One, adding 3 servings of produce to your daily diet will improve the color of your skin, giving it an attractive, healthy glow.
- When summer heat leeches the moisture out of the air, keep your skin hydrated while you sleep by placing a table-top fountain in your bedroom or running a vaporizer to increase room humidity.
- Incorporate into your diet foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids like salmon, walnuts, avocados and flaxseed. Foods with high Omega-3 content help strengthen skin barrier function, improving your skin’s ability to retain moisture and prevent dryness. Daily fish oil or flaxseed oil supplements can provide a similar benefit.