Plastic Surgery in 2018 and Beyond – 5 Key Trends
In 2017, almost 2 million Americans received surgical cosmetic procedures (breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, and tummy tucks). Another 15.7 million received cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures (soft tissue fillers, laser hair removal, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, etc). As plastic surgeons perfect their art and more people overcome fears related to risks of cosmetic surgery, this is what the field is looking like in 2018 and beyond.
1. Laser Bra Lifts
The bigger proportion of breast cosmetic surgeries are augmentation-related, and aim for an increase in shape or volume. However, reduction is also picking up pace, and small boobs are trending. In 2018 and beyond, more plastic surgeons will adopt the use of scalpel-free laser-based breast reduction techniques. The benefit of this approach over traditional methods is that it creates a full look. Lasers improve elasticity and smoothness of breast tissue. So instead of removing or discarding excessive tissue in a typical reduction operation, surgeons are able to use laser which leaves the skin intact.
2. Botox New Model
Botox is still popular, and will continue to be, but there likely will be an improved version in 2018 and beyond. Already, there are similar products in the market and active innovation around this. New products that are likely to hit the market soon could easily dethrone Botox as the number one most used cosmetic injectable.
3. Labiaplasty
Of all vaginal rejuvenation procedures, labiaplasty (reduction of the vaginal folds) is the most popular. In the past, women who received this procedure were seen as crazy. But the stigma is fading and more women are pursuing this procedure as they seek to improve their confidence and comfort level. The fact that labiaplasty is a straightforward, non-invasive procedure has helped things a lot. Looking at the numbers, it’s only natural that there will be more and more vaginal reduction procedures this year and in the future.
4. Eye Fillers
Use of fillers to reshape the eyes is becoming the in-thing for cosmetic surgeons. The benefit of fillers is that they are easily able to restore volume lost in the upper and lower eyelids due to aging.
5. Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal – a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure – has been around for a while now. However, innovation is flooding the market with faster, better, and newer lasers that are less painful. These are making these procedures easier for patients, and thus more popular. Already, laser hair removal was one of the most popular minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures in 2017. Looking forward into the future, we’ll see more of this.
Change appears to be the only thing constant in plastic surgery. Patients want to get better results, and faster recovery. The industry is continuously evolving to meet these demands.
