Nearly 1.5 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed in 2022. The top 5 were:
- Liposuction (325,669 procedures, up 23% from 2019)
- Breast Augmentation (298,568 procedures, up 4% from 2019)
- Abdominoplasty (161,948 procedures, up 37% from 2019)
- Breast Lift (143,364 procedures, up 30% from 2019)
- Eyelid Surgery (115,261 procedures, up 13% from 2019)
Additionally, breast reduction procedures saw a 54% surge from 2019, with 71,364 procedures.
Of the nearly 23.7 million cosmetic minimally invasive procedures performed in 2022, the top 5 were:
- Neuromodulator Injections (8,736,591 procedures, up 73 percent from 2019)
- Hyaluronic Acid Fillers (4,883,419 procedures, up 70 percent from 2019)
- Skin Resurfacing (3,322,292 procedures)*
- Skin Treatment, Combination Lasers (2,915,199 procedures)*
- Lip Augmentation with Injectable Materials (1,378,631 procedures)*
Plastic Surgery Trends in a Post-Pandemic World
As the world emerged from the COVID pandemic, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) noted a significant surge in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures—factors like flexible work schedules and a heightened focus on self-care drive this trend.
Patients no longer put off procedures they were considering, which may be attributed to more time spent working from home and the flexibility hybrid work schedules offer patients for recovery.
The Focus on Face and Neck
With masks directing attention to the eyes, it’s no surprise that eyelid surgeries rose in popularity. Facelifts and cheek implants also experienced notable increases as people targeted the areas they often see in the mirror. The past year also saw an 8% rise in facelift procedures and a 150% increase in cheek implants.
Body Contouring Stays in Demand
Weight fluctuations during the pandemic have influenced surgical and nonsurgical body shaping procedures, with a 23% rise in liposuction and a 77% rise in noninvasive fat reduction procedures compared to 2019. Liposuction remains a top choice, but noninvasive fat reduction options demonstrate a growing preference for less downtime. Board-certified plastic surgeons offer personalized plans to help patients safely achieve their body contouring goals.
Breast Procedures Reflect Evolving Priorities
Breast augmentation remained a popular cosmetic surgical procedure, while breast lifts earned the fourth spot with a 30% rise since the onset of the pandemic. There was also a surge in patient demand for cosmetic breast reductions – up 54% compared to 2019, pointing toward a broader trend of individuals valuing comfort and aesthetics.
Social Media: A Catalyst for Change
Social media’s growing openness about cosmetic procedures has reduced stigma and contributed to rising interest in specific treatments like lip fillers and buccal fat removal, which in turn has contributed to an increase in certain procedures.
Lip augmentation with fillers secured a spot in the top five most sought-after minimally invasive treatments for the first time, and buccal fat removal procedures also rose. While this particular surgery was not tracked in 2019, there were over 4,500 procedures in 2022.
“With the rise of social media, we’ve noticed plastic surgery has become less stigmatized as people share their experiences or interest in certain procedures,” said ASPS President Gregory Greco, DO, FACS. “Board-certified plastic surgeons can help patients determine whether a procedure is right for them and can offer guidance along the way, keeping the patient’s safety and well-being at the forefront.“
