Recently released data shows that a slow economy isn’t dragging down cosmetic procedures anymore, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, or ASAPS. In 2010, cosmetic surgeries jumped by 9% compared to 2009, with about 9.5 million procedures overall for the year. And the momentum shows no signs of stopping—in fact, since 1997, surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures combined have witnessed a 155% increase.

ASAPS’s report, which is released yearly, consisted of statistics regarding plastic surgery, dermatology, and ENT medicine. The most popular non-surgical procedures included Botox (over 2.5 million procedures), cosmetic fillers, and laser hair removal.

Here are some other interesting statistics from the ASAPS report:

• Abdominoplasty, or “tummy tucks,” have increased in popularity by 300% since 1997.
• Adults ages 35-50 were the most likely to have undergone a cosmetic procedure.
• Men’s cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly popular; in 2010, men accounted for 8% of cosmetic procedures.

Perhaps the growth in cosmetic procedures is related to the results of a recent survey, which revealed that more than half of Americans approve of plastic surgery for cosmetic ends. About 70% of the individuals surveyed reported that they would not be embarrassed about having a procedure for cosmetic reasons.

Photo Credit: Vanz

As of February 2011, the unemployment rate for adult men was 8.7%.  With more male candidates fighting over fewer job opportunities, landing work in today’s economy is more than a resume boasting professional experience and a college degree. Economists Daniel Hamermesh and Jeff Biddle discovered that attractive men and women enjoy hourly earnings 5% higher than those with average looks in a paper entitled, “Beauty and the Labour Market”.  Simply put, looking good pays.

In 2010, 1.1 million cosmetic procedures were performed on men according to a recent report released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  The number of cosmetic procedures is up 2% from 2009 and experts believe fierce job market competition is driving men to seek everything from Botox to chemical peels to CoolSculpting ™.  Men in their forties, fifties, and sixties are getting passed over for job raises that are going to their younger colleagues.

Below are the five most popular male minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures for 2010:

1. Botox (337,000)

2. Laser Hair Removal (165,000)

3. Microdermabrasion (158,000)

4. Chemical Peel (90,000)

5. Soft Tissue Fillers (78,000)

Males account for 5-10% of patients Dr. Zimmet sees each year, with the number of visits growing.  The top reasons male patients seek out Dr. Zimmet are Zeltiq Coolsculpting ™ fat removal treatment, Botox and pulsed light rejuvenation.

Women are quick to forget that men, too, are judged by their appearance and physique.  Whether a trimmer waistline, a wrinkle-free forehead, or a rejuvenated face, a more youthful appearance has been proven to boost a man’s salary level, self-esteem, and love life.

Photo:  Noii