Statistics Find That More Adults Are Undergoing Plastic Surgery

Americans are not shying away from cosmetic procedures, according to new statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The number of adults having some type of cosmetic procedure increased 25% between 1999 and 2000, to 5.7 million procedures.

Botox injections have become the most popular cosmetic option, increasing 120% in one year. About 1.1 million shots of botox were given last year.

Chemical peels were second in popularity, although the number of peels last year actually fell by one-quarter. Chemical peels may be losing ground to microdermabrasion, which increased dramatically, according to the society. The group gathers statistics from all types of doctors who do cosmetic procedures.

Among actual surgical procedures, liposuction is still very popular (up 31% over 1999) as is breast augmentation. Although not as widely publicized, cosmetic eyelid surgery is becoming much more common.

Female baby boomers still make up the majority of cosmetic surgery patients, and the industry’s growth appears to rest on women’s vanities. Men accounted for 11% of all cosmetic procedures last year--the same as in 1999.