894 plastic surgeons were surveyed on the most commonly performed cosmetic surgeries--the narcissistic kind--on patients in 2008. Our narcissism has led to ten primary procedures, both non-surgical and surgical.
Breast implants, nose jobs, skin peels, hair removal, liposuction, Botox and fixing droopy eyelids were among the leaders.
Implications - The ongoing march of technology has made it increasingly easy and cost-effective for people to adjust their appearance, and the result is that plastic surgery is more popular and widely-adopted than ever. This reflects society's growing aesthetic insecurity, and unfortunately this is a trend that the world's major companies and advertisers do little to mitigate. With this being said, surveys such as this nevertheless reflect the growing opportunities that this field continues to provide.
Tracking Cultural Insecurity
Survey of Plastic Surgeons Reveals Top 10 Procedures for 2008
Trend Themes
1. Emerging Cosmetic Procedures - The survey reveals the top 10 cosmetic procedures of 2008, highlighting the rising popularity of plastic surgery.
2. Technological Advancements in Plastic Surgery - The march of technology has made plastic surgery more accessible, cost-effective, and widely adopted, creating disruptive innovation opportunities in the industry.
3. Aesthetic Insecurity as a Driving Force - Society's growing aesthetic insecurity is fueling the demand for cosmetic procedures, presenting both challenges and opportunities for major companies in the beauty and advertising industries.
Industry Implications
1. Plastic Surgery - The plastic surgery industry continues to thrive as advancements in technology and growing aesthetic insecurity drive demand.
2. Beauty Products and Services - The rising popularity of cosmetic procedures opens up new avenues for beauty companies to develop innovative products and services that cater to consumers' aesthetic needs.
3. Advertising and Marketing - The increasing demand for cosmetic procedures calls for more strategic and inclusive marketing campaigns that address societal aesthetic insecurities and promote body positivity.