Demand for cosmetic procedures in US growing at 15%

Washington, Feb 28 (UNI) The demand for cosmetic surgeries continues to soar, as new figures suggest that facial aesthetic procedures have outpaced all other surgical procedures.

The number of dental implants and facial aesthetic procedures is growing at a rate of more than 15 per cent a year in stark contrast to non-cosmetic procedures, which is growing at less than five per cent, the Millennium Research Group's US Surgical Procedure Volumes 2008 report said.

The report released yesterday, further said dental implant procedures will expand at an annual growth rate of more than 18 per cent from 2008 to 2011 due to the patients' desire for aesthetically pleasing and healthy teeth, technological improvements of dental implant devices and greater awareness among general practitioners who can perform dental implant procedures.

''Facial aesthetic procedures will witness a growth of more than 15 per cent over the next five years,'' a senior analyst at Millennium Research Group Jaya Classen said.

While non-cosmetic procedures are typically limited to those afflicted with a disease or infirmity, cosmetic procedures face no such demographic barriers to growth, Classen said, adding that the number of people seeking to improve their looks seems endless.

Strong societal focus on good looks and an increased public acceptance of cosmetic enhancements are driving aesthetically conscious Americans to go for cosmetic procedures, the report said.

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