Cosmetic surgery insights: What consumers want

Not only has the number of consumers who want to have cosmetic surgery doubled since 2013, but the top four treatments they want to have are all technology based, including energy for skin tightening, laser and light for skin imperfections, body sculpting and laser hair removal. That’s according to survey results released this week by The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS).

The ASDS reports that they conducted a blind online survey April, 20, 2016 to May 1, 2016 using Survanta, a web-based service. They received a total of 7,322 responses. This is what they found:

Popularity Contest

Ranking highest are treatments to tighten skin or smooth wrinkles using ultrasound, laser, light or radiofrequency at 60%. Laser and light treatments come in second (51%), with body sculpting (50%) and laser hair removal (48%) in the third and fourth spot.

What a Bother

There are numerous physical “flaws” that the overall population would rather not have. The ASDS survey reports these as the top 5:

• Excess weight 83%
• Lines, wrinkles around and under the eyes 73%
• Submental/neck fat 73%
• Skin texture and/or discoloration 71%
• Lines, wrinkles and/or folds in the mid-face, around the cheeks, mouth 67% 

One Satisfied Customer

Satisfaction is always the name of the game and for survey respondents who have had treatments, these top-scoring procedures all come in at 95% and above:

• Injectable wrinkle-relaxers
• Laser and light treatments for redness, tone, scars
• Skin tightening/Wrinkle smoothing using ultrasound, laser, light, radiofrequency
• Vein treatments
• Microdermabrasion
• Laser tattoo removal

And then, of course, there’s the question of why. What’s motivating the population to seek out medical aesthetic treatments? They want to feel more confident, appear more attractive and look as young as they feel or better for their age, reports the ASDS.

Finally, if you are an ASDS member, the association reports that you are the dermatologist of choice for cosmetic medical procedures. Other factors that influence consumer choice of provider include price, board-certified specialty, referral and licensure level.

Eliza Cabana

cosmeticsurgerytimes