You know the old adage about beauty being in the eye of the beholder? While that is often true, what beholders think of as beautiful varies depending on where they live, according to a new study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
The ASPS recently surveyed to find out what were the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the United States and found what people want varies widely from region to region and state to state.
The organization’s research found that although butt implants were the most popular in the Southeast part of the U.S., patients in the Midwest are seeking out lip reduction procedures.
On the West Coast, breast implant augmentation was the most requested procedure. Women in the South, on the other hand, wanted their implants removed.
The ASPS researchers were interested in what shaped the regional differences behind the procedures. Patients reported that their procedures were mostly influenced by things like technology, culture and weather.
Weather? Yes, weather.
“Weather does play a role in the demand for plastic surgery procedures. If you live in a state where it is cold and snows a lot, you are less likely to be as exposed as you are in warmer areas such as California,” said Dr. Gregory W. Chernoff, a triple-board-certified facial, plastic and reconstructive surgeon.
Chernoff should know about the impact of the weather on the demand for plastic surgery: He has two offices – one in Indianapolis and one in Santa Rosa, California.
“The demand for breast augmentation procedures is likely to be lower in colder areas,” Chernoff said.
That is not to say that those living in the Midwest don’t love their plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures. They do; they just want their breasts to have a more natural look.
The ASPS study found that in the Midwest, many breast surgeries were to downsize implants.
Breast implants did not even rank in the top five most popular procedures in the Northeast, where it is cold for much of the year.
While women were not seeking breast procedures in the Northeast, men were. ASPS researchers believe that the demand for male breast reduction is related to corporate culture and many men wanting to feel more masculine and competitive in the workplace.
“Many men are self-conscious about excess breast tissue and opt to have it removed to achieve a more defined chest,” Chernoff said.
Cosmetic hair-transplantation procedures are the most popular in the South. The treatment did not rate in the top five in any other region.
In 2017, the website HighSpeedInternet.com used Google search trends to determine the most popular plastic surgery procedures by state.
The site’s research found that buttocks-enhancing procedures were the most popular in states throughout the South and Midwest. Residents of Maryland, Tennessee, Indiana, Michigan and Missouri researched buttock implants, while those in Louisiana googled butt-lift surgery.
Texans were most interested in lower-body lift treatments to reduce sagging skin and unwanted fat in the thighs.
The research also found that individuals living in northern states looked for anti-aging treatments such as Botox and skin-rejuvenation treatments like dermabrasion.
Alaskans searched for information on face-lifts, while Floridians mostly queried neck-lifts.
No matter the location, plastic surgery procedures are in demand across the country. The ASPS reported that in 2017, 17.5 million plastic and cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S. This number reflects a 2 percent increase in procedures over 2016.
“Plastic surgery procedures are in high demand across the country. More and more people are looking toward plastic surgery to both look and feel their best,” Chernoff said.
Sources:
USA Today. The kind of plastic surgery people get depends on where they live — study. 18 June 2018.
The Kansas City Star. Missouri is into butts. In Kansas, it’s eyelids, according to cosmetic-related searches. 3 November 2017.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Plastic Surgery Statistics 2017.