At the beginning of every year, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) publishes a report of the prior year’s procedure statistics. The statistics include both invasive (surgical) and minimally-invasive procedures. In the world of plastic surgery, a minimally-invasive procedure is any procedure that causes minimal disruption of the skin (no large incisions). The most popular minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures for women in 2010 were as follows:
1. BOTOX injections
5 million BOTOX injections were performed on women in 2010. This was an increase of 12 percent from 2009. BOTOX injections are used to reduce the appearance of frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines), forehead furrows, and lines at the outer edges of the eye, referred to as “crow’s feet.”
2. Soft Tissue Fillers
1.7 million soft tissue filler (dermal filler) injections were performed on women in 2010. This number was a two percent increase from 2009. Dermal fillers are used to add volume to cheeks and lips, soften facial creases, fill wrinkles and improve the appearance of depressed scars.
3. Chemical Peel
1.1 million chemical peels were performed on women in 2010. This number held stable from 2009. Chemical peels involve the topical application of a chemical agent to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, photodamage, skin discoloration, mild acne scars, and some forms of acne.
4. Laser Hair Removal
773,000 laser hair removal treatment procedures were performed on women in 2010. This number was a five percent increase from 2009. Laser hair removal involves using a laser device to injure hair follicles and ultimately reduce unwanted hair growth.
5. Microdermabrasion
666,000 microdermabrasion procedures down were performed on women in 2010. This is a decrease of nine percent from 2009. Microdermabrasion is a mechanical form of exfoliation that uses tiny crystals to remove the outermost layer of skin cells and stimulate cell growth of the underlying dermis.
