International study shows global rise in cosmetic surgery

The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) today released the results of their annual Global Aesthetic Survey for procedures completed in 2017, which showed an overall increase of 5% in surgical cosmetic procedures within the past 12 months.

Ranking of the World’s Top Eight Countries for Cosmetic Procedures

The top five countries – USA, Brazil, Japan, Mexico and Italy – account for 38.4% of the world’s cosmetic procedures, followed by Germany, Colombia and Thailand.

The Fastest Growing Cosmetic Procedures 

In 2017, Vaginal Rejuvenation (including Labiaplasty) showed the largest increase in number of procedures from 2016, with a 23% increase, followed by the Lower Body lift which increased by 22%, the Buttock Lift increasing by 17% and Rhinoplasty increasing by 11%. 

The Most Popular Cosmetic Surgical Procedures 

Breast Augmentation continued to be the world’s most popular cosmetic procedure at 1,677,320 procedures, followed by Liposuction at 1,573,680 procedures and Eyelid Surgery at 1,346,886 procedures. The plastic surgery procedure that experienced the biggest decrease in 2017 was Facial Bone Contouring which decreased 11% to 98,003 procedures. 

The most popular non-surgical procedures continue to be injectables with Botulinum Toxin ranking at number one at 5,033,693 procedures (a 1% increase over the past 12 months). 

The Gender Difference

Women continue to drive the demand for cosmetic procedures, accounting for 86.4%, or 20,207,190 cosmetic procedures worldwide. The five most popular procedures requested by women are Breast Augmentation (Silicone Implant), Liposuction, Eyelid Surgery, Abdominoplasty and Breast Lift. 

In 2017, men accounted for 14.4% of cosmetic patients (a slight increase from 2016) with 3,183,351 procedures performed worldwide. The top five cosmetic procedures requested by men are Eyelid Surgery, Gynecomastia, Rhinoplasty, Liposuction and Hair Transplant. 

Survey Methodology 

The data on aesthetic/cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures performed in 2017 was tabulated with a questionnaire sent to approximately 35,000 plastic surgeons in ISAPS’ proprietary database. ISAPS is the only organization that collects this type of cosmetic data annually on a global scale. The results were compiled, tabulated and analyzed by Industry Insights, an independent research firm based in Columbus, Ohio. For a copy of full results, please visit ISAPS.org.