Survey reveals a 2-year rise in age of patients receiving cosmetic surgery

Washington, Mar 16 : The average age for patients receiving invasive cosmetic surgery has increased by two years since 2002, reports The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) as part of its results of 2007 Procedural Data.

From 2002 to 2007, the mean age of patients seeking the top ten most performed invasive procedures has increased by two years.

The invasive procedures that have seen the largest increase include liposuction, sclerotherapy, facelift and forehead lift.

Following suit with this trend, Botox, the most popular non-invasive procedure, has experienced a two-year increase in average age.

The forces behind these increases are likely to be aging population and the baby boomers.

Baby boomers make up approximately 28 percent of the US, according to 2006 census reports. They fall in the 42-64-age range and the average age of those receiving invasive and non-invasive procedures are 42.6 and 42.4, respectively.

"Cosmetic surgeons are seeing anywhere between a one to three year increase in our patient's age," said Dr. Steven Hopping, MD, President of the AACS.

"It appears that as baby boomers grow older, so does our clientele," he added.

Of note among the findings: liposuction proved to be the nation's top cosmetic surgical procedure with Botox injections being the top non-invasive cosmetic surgery procedure. The 2007 Procedural Data is based on a survey of U.S.-based AACS members completed in December 2007.

ANI