More Going Under the Knife to Look Sharp

March 26, 2008 -- Last year, 11.8 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S., according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).That's a 7% increase from 2006.

The ASPS reports that cosmetic surgery dropped by 3% in 2007, while minimally invasive cosmetic procedures rose by 9%.

Here are the top five cosmetic surgeries for 2007, and the number of procedures performed:

1. Breast augmentation: 347,500 procedures
2. Liposuction: 302,000 procedures
3. Nose reshaping: 285,000 procedures
4. Eyelid surgery: 241,000 procedures
5. Tummy tuck: 148,000 procedures

And here are the top five minimally invasive cosmetic procedures for 2007, and the number of procedures performed:

1. Botox: 4.6 million procedures
2. Hyaluronic acid: 1.05 million procedures
3. Chemical peel: 1.02 million procedures
4. Laser hair removal: 906,000 procedures
5. Microdermabrasion: 897,000 procedures

Most of those who got cosmetic procedures were white women. But the ASPS notes that minorities' use of cosmetic surgery rose 13% in 2007, compared to 2006.

Last month, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery issued its own report on 2007 cosmetic surgery statistics. They counted 11.7 million cosmetic procedures in 2007.

(Thinking of having cosmetic surgery? Check in with Robert Kotler, MD, on his blog at WebMD.)