ASAPS also released 5-year data for procedures performed 1997-2001 by multiple specialists, including plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery; head and neck surgeons certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology; and dermatologists certified by the American Board of Dermatology. More than 14,000 questionnaires were mailed nationwide to a random sampling of physicians most likely to perform several or more of the 30 top cosmetic procedures. Results of the survey were used to project national data on the number of cosmetic procedures performed by more than 23,000 physicians in 2001.
The number of cosmetic procedures performed on women increased 311% from 1997 to 2001. Within just one year, 2001 compared to 2000, the number of procedures for women increased by 32%.
Last year, the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure for women was injection with botulinum toxin (BTX, also known by the trademarked names Botox® and Myobloc®). BTX is most commonly used for the temporary treatment of lines and wrinkles resulting from over-contraction of the muscles that cause facial expressions such as frowning and squinting. BTX causes a temporary muscle weakening or paralysis, which reduces over-activity and smoothes out existing lines over time. Nearly 1.4 million BTX procedures were administered to women in 2001.
The most popular surgical procedure for women was lipoplasty (liposuction), with more than 307,000 procedures on women performed. Lipoplasty is designed as a treatment to reduce localized fat deposits and is used on the hips, thighs, buttocks and many other areas of the body. Women accounted for 80% of all lipoplasty surgeries. Lipoplasty was also the most popular surgical procedure for men who often seek to eliminate "love handles" around their waist or unwanted fat from their back or neck.