Top 5 Cosmetic Procedures From 2020 – 2022

Owing to the COVID-19 lockdowns, the overall number of plastic surgeries in 2020 and 2021 were significantly fewer than in 2022. With half of 2022 over, the field of plastic surgery has more or less come back to its pre-pandemic times, with people opting to splurge on cosmetic procedures like before. With the world reopening, people scheduled more cosmetic procedures to make them look and feel better after spending nearly two years cooped up inside their homes. Thousands of cosmetic surgeries are being performed on a daily basis in 2022, ranging from facial enhancements to breast augmentation, nose surgery, and many other popular procedures have been carried out. Here are some of the top cosmetic procedures from 2020 to 2022.

1. Nose Job

   Nose jobs remained one of the top cosmetic surgeries done during 2020 and 2022. Also referred to as rhinoplasty, nose jobs have remained one of the most popular plastic surgeries in the world. A nose job involves reshaping the nose to give a more balanced look to the overall face. The motivation for getting a nose job could be either to change the appearance of the nose or, in some cases, it can also be done to improve breathing.^{(1, 2, 3, 4)}

   Rhinoplasty can change the bone, skin, and cartilage of the nose, though before getting a nose job, it is essential to discuss with your plastic surgeon whether it would be an appropriate procedure for you and what it can achieve in your individual case.

   It is estimated that over 200,000 nose job surgeries are performed every year, and not just on women but also on men. In fact, it is expected that by the end of 2028, the revenue derived from rhinoplasty procedures in the United States alone will surpass $7.3 billion, even though it experienced a significant drop in 2021. In 2020, around 352,555 people got a nose jobs is done, which was three percent lesser than in 2019 and nine percent lower than the number of people who got it done in 2000.^{(5, 6, 7)}

2. Eyelid Surgery

   The second most common cosmetic procedure between 2020 to 2022 has been eyelid surgery, medically known as blepharoplasty. This type of cosmetic surgery, while being common as a cosmetic procedure, is also undertaken as a medical necessity in some cases. This is most common in those cases where the presence of sagging skin around the eyelid impairs the vision.

   Most people who undergo cosmetic eyelid surgery do so to look younger. This is because the skin of the eyelids is usually the first one to start sagging as we age, not to mention the under eye wrinkles and bags that begin to become more pronounced as we age.

   Eyelid surgery is performed either on the upper or lower eyelids to remove skin and fat tissues that cause drooping or bags under the eyes. Many people opt for eyelid surgery as they want to have a more opened eye look, or they think opening up of the eyes will lend them a more youthful appearance without causing any dramatic change in their overall appearance.

   Eyelid surgery ranks amongst the top five cosmetic surgeries in the world. In 2018, the global eyelid market was worth around $3.3 billion, and by the end of 2026, it is expected to grow further at a rate of 5.8 percent. The growing geriatric population and the growing demand for non-invasive surgical procedures have been two of the main factors driving the market for blepharoplasty. And men and women are both getting this procedure done. In 2016, around 178,000 women underwent this surgical procedure, while 30,958 men sought the procedure.^{(8, 9, 10)}

3. Breast Augmentation

   Breast augmentation, medically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery done to increase breast size. The cosmetic procedure typically involves placing breast implants under the breast tissue or chest muscles. For some women, this surgical procedure is a way to improve their self-confidence and appearance, while for many others, it is a medical part of rebuilding the breast after other medical conditions. Here are some of the reasons why breast augmentation is done: ^{(11, 12, 13)}

   • To enlarge breasts that are naturally small.
   • To restore the size and shape of breasts after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or significant weight loss.
   • To restore the breast or both breasts after surgery.
   • To restore the symmetry of the breasts in cases where they are asymmetrical.

   Plastic surgery for breasts can include both cosmetic surgery as well as reconstructive surgery. Reconstructive breast augmentation surgery is usually done as a part of the treatment after breast cancer. Though in most cases, breast augmentation is usually carried out as a normal cosmetic procedure.^{(14, 15)}

   Before the breast augmentation surgery, the surgeon will help you choose the right size of implant that is ideal for you.⁽¹⁶⁾

   According to estimates by the US-based Aesthetic Society, there were nearly 365,000 breast augmentations done in 2021 in the US. Furthermore, 148,000 women got their breast implants removed and replaced, which was almost 32 percent more than in 2020. Around 71,000 women also had their implants removed and did not get them replaced, which was also 47 percent more than the number in 2020.⁽¹⁷⁾

4. Liposuction or Lipoplasty

   Also known as lipectomy, lipo, or liposculpture suction, liposuction is a type of cosmetic surgery procedure that literally ‘sucks’ out the fat from the body. Liposuction is usually done on the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, neck, chin, upper and back of the arms, the back, and calves. In this procedure, the fat is removed with the use of a hollow instrument known as a cannula. The cannula is put underneath the skin, and a high-powered vacuum is applied to the cannula, which basically ‘sucks’ out the fat.

   Liposuction is also used to treat certain medical conditions.^{(18, 19, 20)}

   Liposuction helps permanently remove the fat cells, thus helping change the shape of the body. However, the main fact associated with this surgical procedure is that patients need to lead a healthy lifestyle after the surgery; otherwise, there is a risk of the remaining fat cells becoming bigger. At the same time, the amount of at that can be removed through liposuction is also limited.

   Risks involved with liposuction include numbness, infection, and scarring. And if too many fat cells get removed, there can be dents or a certain lumpiness in the skin after the surgery. The risks associated with liposuction are directly related to the amount of fat cells removed during the procedure.⁽²¹⁾

   Liposuction has been one of the top five common cosmetic procedures in the world. It is estimated that over 300,000 liposuction procedures are done in the US every year. The average cost of liposuction ranges between $2,000 to $3,500.⁽²²⁾

5. Tummy Tuck

   Medically known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgical procedure that helps improve the appearance and shape of the abdomen. During this surgery, excess skin and fat get removed from the abdomen. At the same time, the connective tissues in the abdomen are also tightened with sutures, and the remaining skin is repositioned to give a toned and fit look. Most people choose a tummy tuck procedure if they have excess skin or fat around the belly button region. Having a weak lower abdominal wall may also require a tummy tuck, but due to medical reasons.⁽²³⁾

   A tummy tuck is usually done if people have excess fat they want to get rid of, weakened connective tissues in the abdomen, or poor elasticity of the skin. Some of the reasons why these may happen include:

   • Dramatic changes in weight
   • Pregnancy
   • Aging
   • Natural body type
   • Abdominal surgery such as a cesarean section

   A tummy tuck can be helpful in removing excess, loose skin and fat. It also helps remove stretch marks and excess skin in the lower abdomen.

   In 2021, 242,939 tummy tucks were performed in the US.⁽²⁴⁾

These five procedures remained the top most cosmetic surgeries done from 2020 to 2022. While women remained the top applications for plastic surgery, more and more men were also found to be joining in for undergoing these processes and visiting cosmetic surgery clinics. Men have also started noticing skin issues and want to undergo skin rejuvenation treatments and tummy tucks or other procedures to enhance their appearance and features.

There is no doubt that despite the risks involved in these procedures, as is the case with any type of surgery, these procedures will always remain popular in the coming times as well.

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