2020 was an unpredictable year with the pandemic. At the beginning of the pandemic, many plastic surgeries were paused while people across the US lived a digital, work-from-home lifestyle. Also, more people spent time seeing themselves on camera on Zoom calls, so there was an increase in interest in plastic surgery, especially Houston plastic surgery.
When plastic surgeons were allowed to resume some cosmetic procedures, demand went crazy for all age groups.
How Cosmetic Treatments Became A Form Of Retail Therapy
One of the significant differences during the COVID era is that more people have time and money on their hands. So many Americans have been sitting and working at home. They may have had money set aside that they intended that they were going to use for international travel or a wedding far away.
During COVID-19, the money has been sitting in their bank account that they didn’t need for travel or work. They’ve been sitting at home with all this extra money, and these factors are the perfect storm to have plastic surgery.
More Downtime For Recovery
Cosmetic face treatments during the coronavirus have become like retail therapy also because of so many working from home. When people work at home, they don’t have to worry too much about people seeing they had work done. For example, a facelift or rhinoplasty involves substantial swelling and bruising that anyone can see.
When you’re working at home during the pandemic, you can have most of your recovery in your PJs while working on your computer in your home office.
If someone had liposuction or a tummy tuck, they can wear their compression garments at home and turn off the video for their Zoom calls. Rather than needing to take two weeks off their job, they may only need three days because they can work from their bedroom.
Several Procedures At Once
A big difference in this retail therapy era of cosmetic surgery is that many patients want to do several procedures at once.
Many people are not coming back for several procedures over a few months. Before COVID, patients would come in for Botox one week and dermal fillers the next. They go to the plastic surgeon and tell him to do everything at once.
Some surgeons report that while they see fewer patients during COVID, the patients they do have are in the office for several hours. There sometimes is 30% lower patient volume but double the number of cosmetic treatments.
Permanent Solutions Desired
With the ability to work at home and have few know about their work done, surgeons see patients more willing to go all-in for major plastic surgeries to address their concerns for good.
COVID seems to eliminate the idea of non-surgery solutions for some people. Many would instead go for the full surgery than go with temporary fillers. Fiscally, it can make more sense just to have the full surgery instead of having many appointments for CoolSculpting or dermal fillers.
Microdosing Of Fillers Is Out Of Style
During COVID, there are limitations on the number of patients that plastic surgeons can see. They’re more likely to wait longer between their consultations and plastic surgery procedures. Soil dose-dependent treatments, such as Botox, are usually administered in regular dosages vs. smaller doses that need to be repeated with more frequent doctor visits.
Microdosing was once popular because it’s natural, but the dose involves longevity; the more Botox you use, the longer it will last. During COVID, it might mean that the person has to come in for treatments every one or two months instead of three or four.
With the shorter toxin lifespan and more spaced-out appointments, and higher demand, microdosing isn’t used as much right now. It can be frustrating for patients because there is more upkeep, which means more office visits. Many patients don’t want to do that during the pandemic.
Face, Neck, and Chin Procedures Booming In Popularity
The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) states that 90% of surgeons surveyed reported a higher number of treatments in 2021 than a year ago.
Many surgeons say this increase in demand is partially because of our ‘on camera’ lifestyle during COVID, so people are more self-conscious about their imperfections than before. There have been more requests for chin surgery and neck lifts, as well as the traditional facelift.
Some surgeons specialize in thread lifting in the neck, which helps pull up the upper neck’s skin and muscles.
Also, Juvederm and Voluma XC were approved recently that people can use to enhance the appearance of the chin. It seems that focusing on the profile is popular right now. Adding fillers to the chin and jawline, and neck have been hot.
Patients also request the effects of a facelift without a facelift or neck lift. Some surgeons instead do micro liposuction of the neck that eliminates fat, tightens the skin, and enhances the neck appearance. And there’s only a 24 hour recovery time.
Other Considerations
Many patients suffer from acne and wonder if there are ways to alleviate their acne scars. There are multiple procedures that can help with acne scars. Laser treatment, microneedling and chemical peels have all been known to help with acne scars. If you suffer from acne scars, talk to your surgeon about various ways to treat acne scars such as chemical peels, microneedling and other possible solutions
Other patients seek out minimally invasive ways to improve the appearance of their skin, many use hyaluronic acid to help stimulate collagen production. Stimulating collagen production helps to maintain healthy and youthful looking skin.
Questions and Answers
What is a chemical peel?
A chemical peel involves the application of a chemical solution to the skin, effectively eliminating its outer layers. During chemical peels, skin regeneration in the outer layers results in a smoother skin, helping to give a more youthful appearance to aging skin. For optimal outcomes, individuals opting for a light or medium peel may need to undergo the procedure multiple times.
What procedures can help my skin tone?
Laser resurfacing and skin resurfacing have been known to help improve skin tone. In ablative laser resurfacing, a concentrated beam of light energy (laser) is aimed at the skin. During a skin resurfacing procedure, this laser effectively removes the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and simultaneously heats the underlying skin (dermis). This dual action in skin resurfacing stimulates the production of collagen over time, leading to improved skin tone and texture. Skin resurfacing has been known to improve the general appearance of the skin and also improve uneven skin tone.
Request a Houston Cosmetic Treatment Consultation
Interested in a Houston cosmetic treatment? Please set up a consultation with Dr. Ashley Steinberg today. She’ll talk to you about the benefits and risks of various plastic surgeries and determine if you’re an ideal candidate.
References
- Plastic Surgery Trends 2021. (2021). Accessed at https://www.allure.com/story/plastic-surgery-procedure-trends-2021
- Plastic Surgeons Predict The Most Popular Procedures For 2021. (2021). Accessed at https://www.allure.com/story/plastic-surgery-procedure-trends-2021
