When most people think of cosmetic surgery, they probably imagine major procedures like breast augmentation, facelifts or tummy tucks. However, the most recent statistics released from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) show that minimally invasive procedures are seeing a larger growth compared to more involved surgeries. Traditional cosmetic surgery procedures such as facelifts, breast augmentation and liposuction in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area remain popular, but people are increasingly choosing less invasive cosmetic enhancements such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, injectable fillers, and laser hair removal to improve their appearance.
Looking at the Numbers
In 2012, the total number of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures that were performed increased six percent over 2011. These totals just confirm the trend that’s been growing since 2000; the cosmetic surgery field has seen a 137 percent rise in these types of procedures over the last dozen years.
Liposuction is the most popular cosmetic procedure when looking at international statistics, while still ranking in the top five surgical procedures domestically. BOTOX® remains the most popular noninvasive facial procedure, showing an increase of eight percent compared to 2011. Other treatments in the top five include chemical peels and injectable fillers.
Laser hair removal has also enjoyed a recent surge; there’s been a four percent increase in treatments over the past year alone, and a 52 percent increase over the past decade.
Benefits of Going Small
We’ve all heard that bigger is better, but that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to aesthetics. More patients are interested in subtle improvements rather than a full overhaul, and that’s where minimally invasive procedures really shine.
If you already practice a healthy lifestyle by eating right and staying active, then your body probably just has one or two problem spots you’d like toned up. Liposuction is perfect for eliminating stubborn fat deposits that diet and exercise alone can’t get rid of, like love handles or your muffin top. For men, liposuction is perfect to reduce the appearance of fattiness on the male breast and reveal more masculine chest muscles. For women, lipo can sculpt away unsightly lumps and bumps, leaving nothing but smooth curves behind.
When you’re frustrated by any element in your appearance, there’s no such thing as “small.” For example, if you’re embarrassed about acne scars, laser resurfacing can polish your skin’s surface, eliminating rough texture and revealing the smooth skin below. For brow lines that are a bit too pronounced, BOTOX® injections will prevent the muscle contractions that contribute to deep wrinkles, leaving you looking years younger in minutes.
These little irregularities in your appearance may not be noticeable to anyone but you, but eliminating them will give you a new glow that can’t be missed. Although these procedures are minimal compared to major surgery, the psychological benefits of regaining your self-confidence are priceless.
Making a Change
Perhaps the greatest benefit to minimally invasive procedures is that they’re enough to give you a whole new look, without a big commitment. The financial investment and recovery period are both significantly smaller when it comes to less invasive cosmetic procedures, giving you a freedom and flexibility that simply isn’t possible with more involved surgeries. You can remove years from your reflection without missing a single day of work, and continue enjoying all your normal activities. Minimal procedures can truly be the best of both worlds.