U.S. Consumers Prefer Non-surgical Options in Recession

The following commentary was written by Eve Oxberry for the Aesthetic Medicine Newsletter (October 2008):

The impending recession is causing more US consumers to delay plastic surgery and consider non-surgical options, according to the latest consumer survey carried out by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

The association polled 100 women who were considering plastic surgery in March and then again in October and found that 59% said recent changes in the economy have had an impact on their plans for plastic surgery, compared with 50% in March. Also, 48%, of women surveyed during October said that the economic slowdown had made them less likely to book a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon, a marked increase of 18% since March, when 30% felt that way.

Possibly the most significant result for the aesthetic medicine industry, however, is that 27% said they were considering less expensive options, compared with 20% earlier in the year.
Richard D’Amico, ASPS president, commented, “It appears more consumers are choosing the less invasive cosmetic procedures, both to give them a boost or to buy time if they need to postpone a more costly invasive surgical procedure because of the economic downturn.”

In a concurrent survey among its surgeon members, ASPS discovered that while 62% reported a decrease in plastic surgery proceduresperformed, some 73% reported an increased or stable demand for procedures such as botulinum toxin, chemical peels and dermal fillers.

“It is very clear the economy is affecting the demand for surgical cosmetic procedures. We are hearing that from consumers and plastic surgeons,” said Dr D’Amico. “There is good news here regarding the cosmetic medicine aspect of our members’ practices. And while ASPS member surgeons are feeling the impact of the economy, we anticipate the historic bounce when patients return as the economy improves.”