A recent study shows that people today are more open than ever about cosmetic surgery. Jacksonville patients of the Garcia Institute and others nationwide say that “having a little work done” no longer carries the taboo that it once did. Perhaps because of its saturation of TV, magazines and the Internet, talk of cosmetic surgery is increasingly an acceptable and comfortable conversation.

Go ahead - Tell it to the world! A new survey shows society is more open than ever about cosmetic surgery.

According to the study released by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, a full 71% of respondents believe society is less judgmental about cosmetic surgery than it was just five years ago, and for 62% of them, society’s relaxed attitude made them feel more comfortable about getting their own procedures. Respondents younger than age 40 were nearly twice as likely as others to consider undergoing cosmetic surgery. And though they may have kept mum about it in the past, 52 percent of respondents say they today would tell their families about having invasive cosmetic surgery. Jacksonville patients share these thoughts.

Survey respondents are most comfortable talking about:

• Laser hair removal (61.9%)
• Botox (61.9%)
• Breast augmentation (42.4%)
• Facelifts (32.2%)
• Tummy tucks (32.1%)

“This is a confirmation of what many of us have felt for a long time – that cosmetic surgery has become mainstream,” said AACS President Dr. Mark Berman. “A variety of factors have contributed to the normalization of our industry, but the bottom line is that people are not afraid to talk openly about cosmetic surgery anymore.”

Adds AACS Past President Dr. Patrick McMenamin, “It’s been a long road but thanks to the hard work of so many, cosmetic surgery is rightfully gaining acceptance in our society. We’ve reached a point where people are no longer quiet about having a cosmetic procedure and that is important to all of us.”

How comfortable are you talking about cosmetic surgery, Jacksonville? Do you still keep mum? Do you tell only closest friends or family? Or do you proudly declare it to the world? Garcia Institute wants to know your thoughts, so please leave us a comment. And if you’re considering facial cosmetic surgery, Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute can be reached at (904) 247-8522 or via our convenient online email form.

More than 17 million cosmetic procedures were performed nationwide throughout 2009, according to a new survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Jacksonville Baby Boomers likely won’t be surprised by these results. The survey shows that the Boomer generation represents a large percentage of cosmetic procedure patients. In fact, among the client base of AACS members, the average age of facelift patients is 54.1 years. The average age for blepharoplasty is 52.3 years. And the average age of patients opting for Botox is 46.6.

Baby Boomers account for a growing percentage of cosmetic procedures performed in Jacksonville and nationwide.

A few highlights of the survey:

• Facelifts by AACS members rose 44% from 2008 to 2009, totaling 34,455 last year compared to 20,478 in 2008;
• Blepharoplasty procedures jumped 42 percent to 60,507 from 42,602;
• Rhinoplasty surgeries went up 74% to 21,730 from 12,460
• Invasive procedures showing the largest gain in the past five years are Blepharoplasty, abdomonoplasty and rhinoplasty;
• Less invasive procedures with the biggest 5-year gain are laser resurfacing, chemical peels and fillers.

The study is the first of its kind performed by the AACS and involves polling of AACS members plus randomly chosen physicians nationwide. The total number of procedures performed by AACS members has increased by eight percent since 2008.

When it comes to cosmetic procedures, Jacksonville follows the same trend that physicians and surgeons are seeing across the United States – a boom in Baby Boomer clientele. Many patients of the Garcia Institute are in their 50s and 60s and not quite ready to concede their looks. Today’s mature population is healthier, more active and more consumer savvy than any previous generation. They also are more informed about medical, plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures. Jacksonville’s Boomer population is one that knows what it wants and is comfortable asking for it.

“The Baby Boomers are getting older but they still feel young and they want to look that way too,” said AACS President Mark Berman, MD. “With anti-aging procedures, people tend to feel much better about themselves afterward.”

Cosmetic procedures in Jacksonville and beyond are expected to grow as America’s economy recovers.

“The cosmetic surgery industry continues to grow at a rate many people never thought it
would reach,” Berman said. “With the aging of the Baby Boomer generation, I don’t think we’ve come close to hitting the ceiling yet. That 17 million is only going to expand.

If you’re a Baby Boomer who wants to look as great as you feel, contact the Garcia Institute at  (904) 247-8522 today.