Cosmetic Surgery & Makeover Wish List for 2010

Beyond the traditional diet and exercise New Year’s resolutions, RealSelf.com found that this year Americans are surprisingly open to a number of quick cosmetic makeovers. If money wasn’t an issue, what would you do to improve your appearance?
According to a recent survey of 2,227 adults by Harris Interactive(1) on behalf of RealSelf.com, more than half of all U.S. adults (54%) would choose cosmetic work if money wasn’t a concern, and of those who would have work done, the majority (52%) would choose teeth whitening, starting the New Year off with new-found confidence in their smile. However, just 6% indicated a desire to get Botox to treat wrinkles. Not surprisingly, a majority of women (67%), as well as 40% of men said they would also have cosmetic work done.
While attaining a whiter smile topped the list, both men and women are open to getting more significant work done. Tummy tuck surgery (29%) and liposuction (29%) round out the top three most desired procedures. Interest in other treatments includes:
Procedure*����������� % of Total� % of Women�� % of Men
———-� ———-� ———-
Teeth whitening������������������� 52��������� 51��������� 55
———-� ———-� ———-
Tummy tuck������������������������ 29��������� 39��������� 13
———-� ———-� ———-
Liposuction����������������������� 29��������� 34��������� 19
———-� ———-� ———-
Hair removal���������������������� 25��������� 31��������� 16
———-� ———-� ———-
Face lift������������������������� 14��������� 18���������� 6
———-� ———-� ———-
Laser skin treatment�������������� 13��������� 16���������� 7
———-� ———-� ———-
Cellulite treatment��������������� 12��������� 18���������� 1
———-� ———-� ———-
Hair replacement������������������ 11���������� 5��������� 20
———-� ———-� ———-
Breast implants������������������� 10��������� 15���������� 1
———-� ———-� ———-
Botox������������������������������ 6���������� 3���������� 8
———-� ———-� ———-
* Note: Findings in the chart are based out of adults who
would get cosmetic work done if money were not an issue.
“The New Year is an opportunity for renewal, and many use the occasion to consider changes to their image. We found it interesting that so many are open to a significant cosmetic surgery procedure like Tummy Tuck, in contrast to a minimally invasive Botox injection,” said Tom Seery, president, RealSelf.com. “While cost is a major factor, cosmetic surgery requires a much deeper set of considerations around safety and knowledge of what to expect. To this end, at RealSelf.com you can get first-hand, anonymous feedback and ratings from others who have gotten work done.”
Male Preferences
While the aesthetics industry focuses on and caters to female patients, 40% of men noted they would get cosmetic work if money wasn’t an issue. For those men who would have work done, the specific procedures they showed interest in include:
–� Teeth whitening : 55% noted they would choose this treatment
–� 69% among those ages 18-34
–� Hair Replacement: 20% would want hair replacement
–� 30% among those ages 45-54
–� Hair Removal: 21% of those 18-24 want a clean look, compared to
men ages 35-44 (11%)
–� Breast Reduction: Giving new meaning to the “Manssiere,” 4% of
men aged 55+ would want a breast reduction
While undoubtedly popular among Generation X, wrinkle fillers and other face treatments did not rank high on the list when money was taken out of the equation. Only six percent of adults who would have work done say they would choose Botox if money wasn’t an issue, although the rate among women aged 35-44 is more than twice the level (15%). Laser skin treatments rank slightly higher — 13% of those who would get cosmetic work noted they would choose this treatment, and one-fifth (20%) of adults in the West would use lasers to improve their skin. According to RealSelf.com data from actual patients, the average cost of Botox is less than one-fifth the cost of laser face treatments $450 vs. $2,200.
Contrary to what might be expected, baby boomers are OK with looking their age and are less likely than younger counterparts to elect cosmetic treatments even if cost wasn’t a factor. More than half (54%) of baby boomers 55+ (70% of men; 41% of women) report they would not have any cosmetic procedures, regardless of cost, compared to just 40% among those 18-34. Among the baby boomers who would choose the cosmetic route, facelifts are the procedure of choice for those 55+ (33% of women; 13% of men).
High Interest Doesn’t Always Mean High Satisfaction
The RealSelf Worth It Index [http://www.realself.com/was-it-worth-it] indicates high satisfaction with tummy tuck surgery, but mixed results for teeth whitening, which puts an emphasis on the benefit of doing research in advance. The Worth It Index, which determines levels of satisfaction with procedures from actual patients, tummy tuck, facelift and breast implants are among the highest rated treatments, even with higher associated costs and potential pain/recovery time.
RealSelf Worth It
Procedure�������������������� Index��������� Average Cost
—————–� —————–
Teeth whitening�������������������������� 46� $������������ 417
—————–� —————–
Tummy tuck������������������������������� 84� $���������� 8,592
—————–� —————–
Liposuction������������������������������ 58� $���������� 5,753
—————–� —————–
Hair removal����������������������������� 69� $���������� 1,539
—————–� —————–
Facelift��������������������������������� 54� $��������� 10,520
—————–� —————–
Laser skin treatment��������������������� 51� $���������� 2,240
—————–� —————–
Cellulite treatment���������������������� 32� $���������� 2,314
—————–� —————–
Hair replacement������������������������� 44� $��������� 11,420
—————–� —————–
Breast implants�������������������������� 78� $���������� 6,631
—————–� —————–
Botox������������������������������������ 60� $������������ 461
—————–� —————–
RealSelf.com is a free community of consumers and board-certified doctors that offers first-hand accounts and information on nearly 300 elective cosmetic treatments. For more details on the survey, please visit RealSelf.com’s blog: www.RealSelf.com/blog.
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I think that the reason the baby boomers are ok with their looks and dont opt for cosmetic surgery is because their generation is not as obsessed with looks as younger generations.