A flood of reality television shows and media coverage on plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures may have inspired millions to opt for the growing array of face- and figure-enhancing options now available.

A new report shows the number of surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S. rose by 44% in 2004 to nearly 11.9 million.

The biggest increase in 2004 was in nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, including wrinkle-erasing injections of Botox. Nonsurgical procedures such as Botox, laser hair removal, and chemical peels rose by 51% over the previous year.

Plastic surgeries such as liposuction, breast augmentation, and facelifts grew by 17%.

“I believe at least some of this upward trend may be attributable to increased media coverage of plastic surgery in 2004,” says Peter Fodor, MD, president of the American Society for Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery, which compiled the report. “People have had many more opportunities to see firsthand what plastic surgery is like and what it can do for others.”

Liposuction and Botox were the most popular plastic surgeries and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, respectively, performed in 2004, but the popularity of various procedures varied slightly between men and women.

Top 2004 Surgical and Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures Overall:
Plastic Surgeries:		Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures:
Liposuction	478,251	Botox	2,837,346
Breast augmentation	334,052	Laser hair removal	1,411,899
Eyelid surgery	290,343	Chemical peel	1,110,401
Rhinoplasty	166,187	Microdermabrasion	1,098,316
Facelift	157,061	Hyaluronic acid (Hylaform, Restylane)	882,469
Top Cosmetic Procedures Among Women:
Plastic Surgeries:		Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures:
Liposuction	416,614	Botox	2,525,430
Breast augmentation	334,052	Laser hair removal	1,215,052
Eyelid surgery	249,293	Microdermabrasion	999,095
Tummy Tuck	145,315	Chemical peel	977,277
Facelift	145,240	Hyaluronic acid (Hylaform, Restylane)	838,917
Top Cosmetic Procedures Among Men:
Plastic Surgeries:		Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures:
Liposuction	61,638	Botox injection	311,916
Eyelid surgery	41,050	Laser hair removal	196,847
Rhinoplasty	38,989	Chemical peel	133,124
Male breast reduction	19,636	Microdermabrasion	99,221
Hair transplantation	19,503	Laser skin resurfacing	69,427

Trends in Cosmetic Procedures

Women accounted for 90% of all cosmetic procedures in 2004, and the number of cosmetic procedures performed on women increased by 49% compared with 2003. Plastic surgeries increased by 21% and nonsurgical procedures rose by 57%.

Among men, the number of overall cosmetic procedures rose by 8%, although the number of plastic surgeries declined by 11%.

Researchers say nearly half of cosmetic procedures were performed in a doctor’s office, nearly 30% in freestanding surgical facilities, and 24% in hospitals.

Americans spent just under $12.5 billion on cosmetic procedures, with $7.7 billion spent on plastic surgery and $4.7 billion on nonsurgical cosmetic procedures.