Quarantine Glow-Ups: How COVID-19 Changed the Face of Plastic Surgery
Dr. Shahram Salemy is a ABPS board-certified, FACS plastic surgeon specializing in cosmetic surgery of the face, breasts, and body. Dr. Salemy has been named one of "America's Top Plastic Surgeons" by The Consumers' Research Council of America and is consistently recognized for excellence in plastic surgery and patient... more
Pandemic Plastic Surgery: How Quarantine Changed Our Self-Image
The pandemic changed many things, including opinions on cosmetic surgery, and plastic surgeons had surprising information about how Covid impacted their field.
Among the many interesting findings in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) recently unveiled the first-ever Insight and Trends Report for 2022, it showed that more people than ever are opting for plastic surgery – despite or rather because of our years-long pandemic.
The pent-up demand for cosmetic procedures has led to unprecedented levels of surgeries and treatments for surgeons. 23% of plastic surgeons surveyed say their business has doubled, and 76% say patients are willing to spend more on themselves.
So, what's driving this surge in popularity? Let's take a closer look.
Here's What Motivated Patients to Get Plastic Surgery
Almost all of us spent our quarantines in Zoom meetings, Google Hangouts, or FaceTime videos. That's a lot of time staring at yourself, and it's one influencing factor for this demand. On the other hand, increased in-person interactions caused some people to notice body changes they wanted to improve.
However, surgeons said the top reason patients came in is to feel refreshed and rejuvenated after prolonged pandemic stress.
Other major reasons patients gave surgeons included:
- Putting off surgery during the pandemic and finally feeling ready for it.
- Realizing they want to boost their self-confidence and feel better about themselves.
- Working from home would make recovery less of a hassle.
- Feeling a "seize the moment" attitude about doing things for their happiness now rather than waiting.
Surgeons Tell Us How COVID-19 Impacted Plastic Surgery
Most industries had to tighten their belts to ride out a prolonged decrease in business thanks to Covid. However, plastic surgery saw a significant uptick in business.
Almost 25% of cosmetic surgeons said their patient volume has doubled compared to pre-pandemic numbers. Additionally, 47% said they saw at least a slight increase in business.
COVID-19 put a uniquely difficult burden of stress on everyone. Therefore, when cosmetic surgery became available again, attitudes were quite different toward it. When asked, 40% of patients said they would pay anything to feel good about themselves again, especially after quarantine.
In addition, over 40% of patients said they reallocated their travel budgets to cosmetic procedures.
Now let's look at which elective procedures were most popular for that post-quarantine confidence boost.
Which Cosmetic Surgeries Did People Choose for Their Quarantine Glow-Up?
Plastic surgeons can perform two types of procedures: invasive or minimally invasive. Invasive procedures are major surgeries. Minimally invasive ones include things like fillers, body sculpting, or facials.
Interestingly, the sharp spike in popularity is driven by women aged 31-45. The only procedure that patients under 30 overwhelmingly want more is lip augmentation.
Here are the top five most popular surgical procedures found in the report:
When it comes to minimally invasive measures, the top five are in line with what was popular pre-pandemic for patients:
- Botox
- Dermal fillers (e.g., Restylane, Juvederm, Sculptra)
- Noninvasive fat reduction (e.g., CoolSculpting, Kybella, SculpSure)
- Nonsurgical skin tightening (e.g., Ultherapy, Thermage)
- Skin care and treatments (e.g., laser resurfacing, chemical peels)
Most importantly, patients are opting for more combination procedures than usual. For example, breast lift, tummy tuck, and breast augmentation, a grouping commonly called "mommy makeover," may all be done at once. Other combinations might include liposuction and a Brazilian butt lift. Surgeons say most patients ask for this to shorten recovery time and get better overall results.
If you're interested in a post-pandemic image boost, keep reading for expert advice on choosing the best surgeon.
Tips For Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon for You
The first thing every patient should do is narrow their search to board-certified plastic surgeons. Board certification is the top consideration for the right cosmetic surgeon.
The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) offers a voluntary certification credential. It proves that a surgeon always goes above and beyond to ensure patient safety, excellent results, and commitment to honing their craft.
Therefore, using the ABPS public directory to ensure a potential surgeon is qualified is the best thing a patient can do.
Otherwise, one of the most important things patients need to know is that plastic surgery is both an art and a science.
Examine the Art and Skill Behind Every Portfolio
The aesthetic nature of these surgeries means that all the best physicians will have a "signature" aesthetic to their work.
This means it's essential for patients to look at before and after galleries when choosing surgeons to meet. Look for "before" bodies that look like yours and decide if the "after" body matches the results you want.
In addition, an in-person meeting can be very useful when choosing the right plastic surgeon. Most will require an initial consultation anyway, so use this time to get to know them.
Remember, the best plastic surgery experiences come from having realistic expectations and a great relationship with your provider.
Trust Your Instincts
As with any other doctor, there will be some candidates you feel great with and others who don't fit as well. This is normal, so trust those initial feelings.
Plastic surgery is highly personal. This means you should listen to your gut about choosing a surgeon. The right person for you will be warm, friendly, honest, and open to an ongoing discussion about your goals.
A great plastic surgeon won't make grand promises or give you unrealistic expectations. You should look for someone honest who can recommend a path to achieve your goals, even if it differs from what you hoped for.
It's Never Too Late for Your Own Glow-Up
These insights from the ASPS report show just how normal it is to want to look and feel great about yourself. It's especially important after spending years under the stress of the global pandemic. Everyone is feeling the importance of taking care of themselves now instead of later.
The world is shifted into a "new normal," so don't be afraid to use this change to shift yourself into a new normal as well. New habits, new attitudes, and a fresh, rejuvenated appearance can start you down a happier, more confident path. Whether you choose breast augmentation for a sexier silhouette or fillers for a youthful glow, it's never too late to start looking your best.
If you need more information about plastic surgery or simply want to start your search for a Seattle plastic surgeon, inquire with board-certified Seattle plastic surgeon, Dr. Shahram Salemy, at www.DrSalemy.com or call (206) 467-1101 to get started on your journey today.
