Orange County Register

The slowing economy is forcing more consumers to delay plastic surgery.

The slowdown for cosmetic doctors is more pronounced than when the first signs of trouble appeared in the spring. In responses to surveys by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons:

• 48 percent of women surveyed this month said the economy has made them less likely to schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon. That’s up from 30 percent in a similar survey in March.
• 59 percent said the economy has had an impact on their plans for cosmetic plastic surgery. That’s up from 50 percent six months ago.
• 27 percent said they were considering less expensive options, compared with 20 percent in May.

“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,” said Dr. Richard D’Amico, the society’s president.

Plastic surgeons have been advising people to turn to cosmetic work to improve their career chances. Some people are following that advice, but mostly for less expensive procedures such as Botox.

In the group’s latest survey of doctors, 73 percent said demand was stable or higher for minimally invasive procedures including Botox, dermal fillers and chemical peels. The largest increase was reported in the Northeast; the smallest, in the West.

Sixty-two percent of doctors surveyed said their business was down overall. The drop was greatest in the Northeast and Southeast. It was mildest in the Midwest.

Those doctors also reported slowdowns in specific procedures:

• For breast augmentation, 62 percent reported a decrease. That was most pronounced in the Southeast, least severe in the West.
• For liposuction, 64 percent reported a decrease.
• For eye-lid surgery, 49 percent.
• For nose jobs, 44 percent.

The group said the surveys’ margin of error was plus or minus 4.8 percent.

Related links:

• Allergan earnings up, outlook down
• Amid market turmoil, some patients skip plastic surgery
• As the economy slows, Botox popularity grows
• Botox gaining ground as career-booster, readers say
• Breast implants are down in the U.S.
• Slumping economy hits medspas
• Demand for plastic surgery drops; O.C. stereotype remains strong
• Archive of posts touching on economics and finance of cosmetic medicine

Slide shows:

• ‘Styles of Rihanna’ slide show
• Scorn for Victoria Beckham breast implants; praise for new hairdo, dresses
• Britt Ekland photos from age 21 to 61

Reader surveys:

• As the economy slows, are you more or less likely to Botox yourself?
• Most people say they’re victims of beauty bias – or benefit from it
• Sarah Palin and Botox — should she tell?

For more on cosmetic medicine, see links on the right side of this blog.

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