Pandemic Plastic Surgery & why more of us seek it out. Social media, Zoom effect, heightened self awareness, work from home, recover at home
In 2014, a survey found that only about 17% of respondents were open to getting their first plastic surgery. But in June of 2020, a new survey found that almost 50% of people would consider it.
The number of people considering plastic surgery has nearly tripled in less than 6 years. What happened?
2020 happened. The year of locking down and working from home happened. And the impact that this has had on plastic surgery may be felt for years to come.
The Zoom Effect
Having to appear in Zoom meetings every morning has given society a chance to zoom in on their insecurities. If you find yourself opening a new tab to look at before and after photos of breast implants after a video call, you’re far from alone.
Thousands of people hate the way they look on Zoom calls and it’s caused a mini-boom for the plastic surgery industry that has been dubbed The Zoom Effect. In fact, according to data from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), 90% of surveyed plastic surgeons reported an increase in business after COVID-19 lockdown, and 83% of those respondents attributed the growth to The Zoom Effect.
They also reported seeing an increase in demand for the following facial procedures:
· Rhinoplasty/nose jobs (78%)
· Facelifts (69%)
· Eye lifts (65%)
· Neck lifts/treatments (58%)
The breast augmentation procedure has been the most popular surgery for years, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. However, that could change very soon, as facial surgeries continue to be in such high demand.
Selfie Awareness
We also saw a significant spike in teens seeking rhinoplasty procedures, with those numbers jumping by 41% between 2019 and 2020.
Roughly 16% of AAFPRS members attributed this trend to a version of The Zoom Effect, as young people are now forced to take classes online. However, the overwhelming consensus was that young people are looking to get procedures so they can look better in selfies.
The AAFPRS data reveals that 75% of surveyed surgeons said their younger patients were seeking cosmetic procedures to look better in selfies. This number is actually 33% higher than it was in 2016, when AAFPRS first identified this trend.
Stay at Home. Work From Home. Recover From Home
A nearly unanimous 96% of surveyed surgeons attributed the increase in patient volume to both men and women now having the time and the flexibility to recover from surgery because of social distancing and working from home.
Working from home means that it’s now possible to discreetly get plastic surgery without missing any time at work. One could potentially get a procedure on a Friday, take the weekend to rest, and then work from home on the following Monday. Vacation days can be saved for actual vacations.
These trends are unlikely to stop any time soon. The global pandemic has given people a unique opportunity to get plastic surgery. However, it has also caused a global shift in attitudes towards plastic surgery, as a whole.
