Monday, January 10, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
10 forecasts for cosmetic surgery in 2011
This year will see even greater interest in cosmetic medicine than in the past, if doctors’ forecasts hold up. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists always predict booming business ahead, of course, but this time they may be right.
They’re expecting a comeback from the recent economic slump, which cut into patients’ ability, if not their interest, in getting cosmetic treatments, especially surgery. From 2008 to 2009, for example, the number of facelifts dropped 30 percent, while breast implant operations were down 12 percent and tummy tucks, 13 percent. Figures for 2010 are not yet available.
They’re expecting a comeback from the recent economic slump, which cut into patients’ ability, if not their interest, in getting cosmetic treatments, especially surgery. From 2008 to 2009, for example, the number of facelifts dropped 30 percent, while breast implant operations were down 12 percent and tummy tucks, 13 percent. Figures for 2010 are not yet available.
If consumer income economy rebounds, as many predict, cosmetic doctors’ offices are likely to fill up again.
SKIPPING THE SURGERY
In recent years, patients seeking to fight the signs of aging have been eagerly embracing alternatives to plastic surgery, and that trend is likely to continue.
Facelifts are down 40 percent in the past five years, while injections of fillers such as Juvederm, made by Irvine-based Allergan, are up 49 percent, according to surveys by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, or ASAPS, based in Garden Grove.
In the coming year, “demand for facelifts and other facial rejuvenation surgery will increase,” the ASAPS forecasts. That prediction is based on the shaky assumption that non-surgical alternatives haven’t permanently undercut the market for surgery.
“The trend toward more non-invasive plastic surgical procedures will continue,” says plastic surgeon Dr. Michael A. Persky of Encino. Among the examples he cites are long-lasting fillers such as Sculptra; medium-powered lasers such as Fraxel for skin care; and the newly approved Cool Sculpting device from Zeltiq, which uses cold temperature to shrink unwanted fat.
LOTS OF FAT FIGHTERS
“Non-surgical, non-invasive body contouring devices will continue to rule,” says says plastic surgery consultant Wendy Lewis.
FILLERS GALORE
The ASAPS doesn’t dismiss the work of plastic surgeons, but it makes a similar forecast: “The growth and popularity of cosmetic injectables (Botox, Dysport, Sculptra, Radiesse, Evolence, Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane etc.) will continue to increase as products continue to evolve and new players enter the market.”
YEAR OF THE CHEEKS
“I also predict that cheeks will become the ‘new lips,’ ” Klein says. “Women and also men are seeking a younger, fresher look that Botox can only provide a part of. I have seen an exponential growth in cheek plumping in my practice during 2010 and expect it to continue to grow as the baby boomers become educated about what is making them look older, and how to fix it.”
Actress Heather Locklear also may have had filler injected into her cheeks, according to Shafer. Many cosmetic doctors think actress Megan Fox has done so, and actress Raquel Welch apparently has too, says plastic surgeon Dr. Tony Youn. Klein believes that actresses Demi Moore and Madonna have also made their cheeks more prominent with injections.
BUTT ALSO
Many plastic surgeons also extract patients’ fat from the abdomen, then inject it to plump up other parts of the body.
“Fat transfers … to face, hands, buttocks and breasts will grow significantly in 2011,” predicts cosmetic surgeon Dr. Andre Berger of Beverly Hills.
Lewis expects that 2011 will produce more clarity. “New data will help cut through the confusion,” she predicts.
BETTER BOTOX
Some doctors foresee the introduction of more effective drugs similar to Botox.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Fleming of Beverly Hills predicts that the wrinkle-smoothing effects of these products won’t fade after three-plus months, as Botox tends to do.
RECOVERING FROM WEIGHT LOSS
America’s battle with obesity could lead to more business for plastic surgeons.
The ASAPS agrees: “As our population increasingly realizes the dangers and health consequences of obesity, the number of patients seeking plastic surgery procedures for body contouring after dramatic weight loss (abdominoplasty, lower body lift, upper arm lift, etc.) will rise in 2011.”
HAIR AGAIN
Two experts foresee an expansion in hair restoration procedures.
“The Neograft system of automated hair grafting is a significant development because it opens up hair transplantation to many more clinics and consumers,” Lewis says.
A year ago, a new variety of breast implants called “gummy bear” implants seemed close to approval by the Food and Drug Administration. Now that seems less likely, Lewis says.
“As the economy continues to improve, people will return,” says plastic surgeon Dr. David Shafer of New York.That’s just one of many trends to look for this year:
SKIPPING THE SURGERY
In recent years, patients seeking to fight the signs of aging have been eagerly embracing alternatives to plastic surgery, and that trend is likely to continue.
Facelifts are down 40 percent in the past five years, while injections of fillers such as Juvederm, made by Irvine-based Allergan, are up 49 percent, according to surveys by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, or ASAPS, based in Garden Grove.
In the coming year, “demand for facelifts and other facial rejuvenation surgery will increase,” the ASAPS forecasts. That prediction is based on the shaky assumption that non-surgical alternatives haven’t permanently undercut the market for surgery.
“The trend toward more non-invasive plastic surgical procedures will continue,” says plastic surgeon Dr. Michael A. Persky of Encino. Among the examples he cites are long-lasting fillers such as Sculptra; medium-powered lasers such as Fraxel for skin care; and the newly approved Cool Sculpting device from Zeltiq, which uses cold temperature to shrink unwanted fat.
“There will continue to be an increase in non-surgical procedures which will fill, tighten and uplift skin,” predicts plastic surgeon Dr. Ed Domanskis of Newport Beach, although he foresees a return of surgical patients too. He also expects patients will want doctors use new skin-tightening devices in parts of the body that currently a seldom treated.“We will extend their use to different parts of the body, like the knees as well as excess skin over the elbows,” he says.
“Non-surgical, non-invasive body contouring devices will continue to rule,” says says plastic surgery consultant Wendy Lewis.
“Zeltiq Coolsculpting was the most significant FDA approval in this space of 2010, marking the first scientifically proven non-invasive fat reduction treatment, and there are more systems to come. More variations on [radio frequency]-, heat- and light-based energy for fat melting and skin tightening are on the horizon.”An injectable fat-fighting drug is also possible this year, she says.
“If Kythera gets FDA approval for its fat-dissolving drug based on phosphatidylcholine in 2011 or 2012, it has the potential to revolutionize the body-contouring market by providing a clinically proven injectable solution to localized fat deposits,” Lewis says.Plastic surgeon Dr. John Di Saia of San Clemente and Orange predicts that patients will remain fascinated with new fat-fighting technologies, but he is skeptical about the results.
“Gimmicks in medicine and less invasive technologies will continue to attain public attention in 2011. Zeltiq, for example, will likely have a period of popularity, but then ‘cool off’ as actual results temper consumer decision making,” he says.“This is the pattern seen with new technology for ‘fat fighters’ over the past decade. No new technology has commanded the market for long and there have been several in the last decade or so. We have had ultrasound-assisted liposuction, power-assisted liposuction, laser-assisted liposuction, injectable ‘fat dissolvers,’ and multiple marketing-assisted variations on these themes. Consumers continue to be wowed by marketing and frequently do not investigate before they partake. ” Di Saia says.
FILLERS GALORE
“My 2011 forecast definitely includes fillers, such as Juvederm, Radiesse and Artefill, becoming more and more popular,” says dermatologist Dr. Lorrie Klein of Laguna Niguel. “I predict they collectively will become as popular as Botox, as more and more aging baby boomers see their faces ‘sinking’ and also realize that filler treatments, if done expertly, can rejuvenate the face as well or better than a surgical facelift.”That forecast assumes a big leap in popularity for various fillers, which totaled about 1.6 million procedures in 2009, compared to 2.6 million for injections of Allergan’s Botox and similar wrinkle-fighting drugs.
The ASAPS doesn’t dismiss the work of plastic surgeons, but it makes a similar forecast: “The growth and popularity of cosmetic injectables (Botox, Dysport, Sculptra, Radiesse, Evolence, Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane etc.) will continue to increase as products continue to evolve and new players enter the market.”
“I also predict that cheeks will become the ‘new lips,’ ” Klein says. “Women and also men are seeking a younger, fresher look that Botox can only provide a part of. I have seen an exponential growth in cheek plumping in my practice during 2010 and expect it to continue to grow as the baby boomers become educated about what is making them look older, and how to fix it.”
“It’s not about just filling in wrinkles anymore, it’s about ‘re-inflating’ the cheeks, chin, temples and other facial areas that are no longer smooth or rounded,” she says.Reality TV star Heidi Montag is one of many stars who has had fat injections to plump up her cheeks, although few admit it, as Montag does.
Actress Heather Locklear also may have had filler injected into her cheeks, according to Shafer. Many cosmetic doctors think actress Megan Fox has done so, and actress Raquel Welch apparently has too, says plastic surgeon Dr. Tony Youn. Klein believes that actresses Demi Moore and Madonna have also made their cheeks more prominent with injections.
“Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, and Jennifer Lopez have made a shapely rear-end a must have accessory,” says the ASAPS. “In the coming year patients will be seeking posterior body lifts, buttock lifts, surgical and nonsurgical buttock augmentations to shape and augment their buttocks.”FAT IS YOUR FRIEND
Many plastic surgeons also extract patients’ fat from the abdomen, then inject it to plump up other parts of the body.
“Fat transfers … to face, hands, buttocks and breasts will grow significantly in 2011,” predicts cosmetic surgeon Dr. Andre Berger of Beverly Hills.
“Fat grafting will continue to improve and become more defined, detailed,” and be used in more parts of the body, says plastic surgeon Dr. Ashkan Ghavami of Beverly Hills. “I have seen a huge increase and demand for buttock fat transfer and this will continue to trend upward.”Such fat transfers, particularly with technologies that concentrate the fat’s stem-cell content, are a hot topic. “hot,” Lewis says, but independent medical researchers haven’t yet figured out the degree to which those techniques are actually effective or whether they’re just a hot marketing phenomenon.
Lewis expects that 2011 will produce more clarity. “New data will help cut through the confusion,” she predicts.
BETTER BOTOX
Some doctors foresee the introduction of more effective drugs similar to Botox.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Fleming of Beverly Hills predicts that the wrinkle-smoothing effects of these products won’t fade after three-plus months, as Botox tends to do.
Domanskis goes further. “A Botox product will be developed that will last longer and even be a cream type that will penetrate the skin and not require an injection,” he says.His forecast of a Botox-like cream has a basis in fact, but Domanskis may be overly optimistic about the timing. Revance Therapeutics, based in Mountain View, Calif., says clinical trials of its no-needle Botox-like lotion will be done in 2012.
RECOVERING FROM WEIGHT LOSS
America’s battle with obesity could lead to more business for plastic surgeons.
“The number of patients seeking bariatric surgery will continue to skyrocket. There were approximately 200,000 gastric bypass procedures performed just this past year. There are about 5,000 plastic surgeons. If even a small fraction of these patients who have lost massive amounts of weight undergo cosmetic procedures to remove the hanging, excess skin, their numbers will overwhelm plastic surgeon’s capabilities!” Domanskis says.
HAIR AGAIN
Two experts foresee an expansion in hair restoration procedures.
“The Neograft system of automated hair grafting is a significant development because it opens up hair transplantation to many more clinics and consumers,” Lewis says.
Hair-transplant specialist Dr. Alan J. Bauman of Boca Raton, Fla., says, “Less invasive hair transplant procedures using advanced devices (like NeoGraft) that help the surgeon efficiently transplant healthy follicles with no linear scar will continue be a top area for R&D over the next few years.”But he also foresees an expansion of hair-loss treatments: “compounded ‘designer’ minoxidil (like Formula 82M), at-home laser treatments (LaserCaps and handhelds), in addition to new diagnostic tests and tools like hair loss genetic testing and the HairCheck trichometer.”WHAT NOT TO EXPECT
A year ago, a new variety of breast implants called “gummy bear” implants seemed close to approval by the Food and Drug Administration. Now that seems less likely, Lewis says.
“No one is even talking about gummy bear implants coming in the U.S. anymore, since the regulatory process has virtually crippled the industry from launching new products,” she says.resource: The Orange County Register
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