Despite the pandemic… there is an increase in plastic and cosmetic surgery. Why?
According to the latest annual statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nearly $16.7 billion was spent on cosmetic procedures in the U.S. in 2020 alone. A recent poll also revealed that 11% of women surveyed said they are more interested in cosmetic plastic surgery or non-surgical procedures now than before COVID-19 – and the figure is even higher among women who have already had surgery or a procedure.
This is food for thought as generally the stats in America are globally reflective…. Let’s discuss some common misconceptions about aesthetic surgery and factors that made cosmetic surgery so popular last year.
Covid-19 is fuelling a Zoom-boom in cosmetic surgery
Depressed by your appearance on video calls? Men and women alike are splashing out on face-lifts, lip-plumping and more non-surgical procedures. It all but stopped the medical tourism industry and was a God send in the interim for local plastic surgeons with higher prices.
CALL IT “Zoom face-envy”. Because of the rise of video-conferencing during the pandemic, legions now spend hours staring at their own faces and, inevitably, comparing them with those of others. Poor lighting and the skewed angles of laptop cameras are rarely flattering. Nor is “lockdown face”, brought on by stress, or a dearth of sunlight and exercise.
More people were using video technology and they became more aware of what they looked like in a public setting. Also, employees across all industries were working remotely, which allowed more time for elective surgery and recovery.Many cosmetic surgeons had expected the pandemic to hammer business. Instead the industry is enjoying a Zoom-boom. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reckons that the pandemic has led to a 10% increase in cosmetic surgery countrywide.
The Face Of 2020: The Newest Non-Surgical ‘Glow-Cedures’ To Lift, Sculpt And Shape
An increase in technology benefits patients so no wonder our appetite for ‘tweakments’ has grown. Around one in four of us would now consider an aesthetic treatment such as Botox to give our skin a boost,* with the UK non-surgical market set to be worth £3 billion by 2024!**
The aim is not a fake look, rather one that communicates happiness, good health and enough sleep.
The world of aesthetic treatments – essentially anything from a facial to surgery – has come a long way since the days of ice-rink smooth foreheads and bouncy-castle lips. Clunky old machines have given way to a whizzy, multifunctional kit; injectable formulas are far gentler; and doctors themselves have honed a more delicate touch. The result: quick, effective, often painless treatments offering a payoff (sometimes immediate) beyond the reach of skincare alone.
Nowadays, surgically altered faces and physiques are seemingly everywhere. Has it gotten you wondering how big the market for cosmetic surgery in Australia is, how much money Aussies spend on perfecting their looks, and what the most common beauty enhancements are? Well, you’re in luck since we’ve rounded up the most captivating and insightful cosmetic surgery statistics to give you a peek behind the curtain.
Perhaps you’re even considering going under the knife yourself and want to know what the cosmetic surgery in Australia prices are. Read on to find out!
Cosmetic Surgery Facts in Australia
- 202,642 cosmetic surgeries were performed in Australia in 2018.
- The most popular procedures among Aussies in 2018 were breast implants and botox.
- A total of 38,937 breast surgeries were performed in Australia in 2018.
- By the number of plastic surgeons, Australia ranked 22th in the world in 2019.
- Aussies aged 35-50 get the most cosmetic procedures.
- 90% of cosmetic surgeries in Australia are performed on women.
- BDD is the most common psychiatric disorder in cosmetic surgery statistics.
- Australian citizens spend about $1 billion on cosmetic procedures every year.
- The number of injectables used in Australia cosmetic clinics tripled in the year to April 2021.
- An estimated 15,000 Aussies fly overseas for low cost cosmetic surgery every year.
Cosmetic Surgery Statistics in Australia
The most-searched-for cosmetic procedure in Australia in early 2021 was botox.
Upwards of 1.6 million Aussies search for cosmetic surgery-related topics every month. As of January 2021, the top five most popular enhancements based on web searches for cosmetic surgery in Australia are:
- Botulinum toxin injections were the subject of 12,100 queries in one month.
- Lip fillers got 9,900 online searches.
- With 8,700 monthly inquiries, liposuction was the third most desired procedure.
- 8,100 individuals looked into getting a nose job.
- 6,600 Aussies were interested in a tummy tuck.
Australia Cosmetic Surgery Spending Statistics
Australian citizens spend about $1 billion on cosmetic procedures every year!
- Per capita, Aussies spend 40% more on aesthetic treatments than Americans do.
- An abdominoplasty costs from $6,000-$8,000. If you have private health insurance that covers cosmetic surgery, it might partially foot the bill.
- A breast augmentation will set you back about $12,000 in Australia. Surgeon fees are about half this amount, so roughly $6,000. In addition, there are other costs, such as for the anesthesiologist, implants, hospital fees, etc., which total about $3,000.
- Based on the latest 2020 and 2021 statistics, the cost of hair transplantation in the country is $5.5 US per graft, similar to that in the USA.
- How much is liposuction in Australia? It’s one of the costliest procedures out there. Prices for a single part of the body reach $5,000, while four body parts can cost up to $15,000.
- A nose job costs between $5,000-$15,000. When other fees are factored in, the final price tag is anywhere from $8,000-$20,000.
- One treatment with the overused injectable botox can cost $300-$700, depending on where it’s administered and how many units are used. On average, it lasts for 3-4 months.
- According to cosmetic surgery statistics, fillers made from hyaluronic acid, collagen, or other related substances range from $500-$600 in cost and last from six months up to two years.
In 2020, the Australian aesthetic product industry was worth an estimated $201.10 million.
The increasing demand on the global market for cosmetic surgery, as well as the quicker technical innovations in products, are the key factors driving the development of the aesthetic device market. Namely, this market in Australia is expected to be worth $371 million by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.78%.
The Impact of Covid-19 on Cosmetic Surgery Stats in Australia
400,000 elective surgical procedures were cancelled in Oz from February to May 2020.
The coronavirus pandemic temporarily shut down all facilities where cosmetic procedures were being performed. Nevertheless, even during the Covid crisis, Australia’s cosmetic surgeons reported an over 50% spike in demand for surgeries and treatments.
The number of injectables used in Australia cosmetic clinics tripled in the year to April 2021.
During the pandemic, Aussies predominantly sought out cosmetic procedures on their foreheads, brows and eyes, or practically all parts of the face that aren’t covered by masks. The demand for injectables, facelifts and rhinoplasties in clinics across the country increased by 300% as people were looking to attain the perfect “Zoom face”.
Cosmetic Surgery Stats: Australia vs Other Countries
26. In 2019, the USA recorded nearly 4 million cosmetic surgeries.
According to international cosmetic surgery statistics, the United States was at the top for two years in a row by the total number of procedures. In 2019, 3,982,749 treatments were completed in that country (1,351,917 surgical and 2,630,832 non-surgical ones), a decrease from 2018, when 4,361,867 aesthetic procedures were performed (1,492,383 surgical and 2,869,485 non-surgical).
Over 2.5 million procedures were performed in Brazil in 2019.
The cosmetic surgery industry is also booming in Brazil. It held second place in the world for two consecutive years with a total of 2,565,675 procedures overall in 2019, an increase from 2018’s 2,267,405.
However, it topped the global list in terms of esthetic surgeries both years, with 1,493,673 done in 2019 and 1,498,327 in 2018. The number of non-surgical treatments performed in this Latin American country was 1,072,002 and 769,078 in 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Among the countries with the most plastic surgery in 2019 were also:
- Japan with 1,473,221, of which 249,543 surgical and 1,223,678 non-surgical procedures.
- Mexico with 1,200,464, of which 580,659 surgical and 619,804 non-surgical.
- Italy with 1,088,704, of which 314,432 surgical and 774,272 non-surgical.
28. An estimated 15,000 Aussies fly overseas for low cost cosmetic surgery every year.
According to the findings of an international study, Australians spend $300 million a year on plastic surgery tourism. The most common explanation for taking this kind of trip, often to Malaysia or Thailand, is that they can normally get cheap cosmetic surgery abroad. Mexico and Turkey have now become medical tourism hotspots!
Finishing Touches
Despite the pandemic, in Australia, plastic surgery is booming, and people are less and less afraid to undergo cosmetic procedures. What’s more, it seems that many are “doing it for the Gram”, or just to look good on camera.
However, getting surgery always comes with certain risks, and the patient might end up not liking their new look. Therefore, more regulations are needed since cosmetic surgery statistics suggest that Aussies’ love affair with surgical augmentations is here to stay.