5 Reasons Plastic Surgery Has Increased Since the Pandemic

Posted January 12, 2024 in Plastic Surgery

Many things have changed since the pandemic, including how people view themselves. From spending time on video calls to gaining or losing “quarantine weight,” people are paying more attention to their appearances. This blog discusses the top five reasons plastic surgery has increased since the pandemic. 

5 min read:

If you’re like most people, your life has changed a bit since the pandemic. Working from home and spending increasing amounts of time on video calls has made many people look closer at their faces. For others, returning to in-person interactions after months of being at home has brought home the reality that it’s time to ditch the sweats and fit back into professional clothes. 

Whatever the exact cause or causes, the result is that plastic surgery and non-invasive cosmetic treatments have increased since 2020. Below, we delve into the top five reasons people may undergo a cosmetic procedure post-pandemic. 

1. To Refresh Your Look After the Aging Effects of the Pandemic

Has the stress and anxiety of the pandemic most noticeably manifested itself on your face? The popularity of weight loss medications has also led to “Ozempic face” for many, with increased fine lines and wrinkles and loss of facial volume. For others, a newly developed double chin could be what is seen in the mirror daily. Fortunately, injectable treatments are available to address these issues.

• BOTOX® Cosmetic and DYSPORT® effectively smooth out deep forehead wrinkles, frown lines, or crow’s feet around your eyes.

• JUVÉDERM®, RESTYLANE®, and SCULPTRA® Aesthetic are dermal fillers designed to restore volume in your face that was lost due to age or weight loss. Depending on the type of filler you choose, these injectable fillers are designed to address nasolabial folds, marionette lines, smile lines, lip lines, and chin wrinkles.  

• KYBELLA® is an injection used to eliminate the fat under your chin (known as submental fat). It destroys the fat cells, which are then absorbed and excreted by your body. The result is a smoother, more slender profile.  

2. To Improve Your Confidence After Pandemic Weight Gain

You may have gained some weight during the pandemic due to stress or the interruption of your regular gym routine. Now that things have returned to normal, you may have lost the weight you gained and are dealing with excess skin and flab. Fortunately, you’re not alone in your desire to reclaim your self-esteem through plastic surgery. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, tummy tuck surgeries have increased by 37%, and liposuction surgeries have increased by 23% from pre-pandemic numbers. 

A tummy tuck can smooth and contour your midsection, eliminating loose skin and extra flab. Liposuction can be done alone or with a tummy tuck to contour your body further and reduce stubborn fat deposits that won’t respond to diet and exercise. 

3. Because Planned Cosmetic Surgery Was Delayed During the Pandemic

Whether you were already scheduled to undergo plastic surgery when the pandemic hit or were early in your journey toward a cosmetic procedure, the pandemic brought that journey to a halt. All elective surgeries were canceled, and according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, some of the reasons cosmetic procedures were delayed included: 

• Ensuring hospitals had space for emergency surgeries. 
• Keeping numbers of patients low to stem the spread of the virus. 
• Changes in financial status or job uncertainty caused people to pull back on their spending.
• Concerns about health risks due to the relatively unknown effects and risks of COVID.

Since the pandemic, cosmetic surgeries have increased by 20% overall.

4. Because Seeing Yourself Up Close in Video Calls Made You Notice Things You Wish to Improve

If your job requires you to spend time looking at yourself on camera during virtual meetings, you’ve probably noticed a few places on your face that could use a refresh. Often called the “Zoom Boom,” plastic surgery experts have seen a marked increase in the desire for cosmetic procedures as more people spend time in virtual meetings, seeing their perceived flaws reflected on their screens. 

Facial plastic surgeries have increased by 18% since the pandemic, as people look to refresh their appearance with rejuvenating face procedures, including: 

• Smoothing wrinkles and eliminating sagging skin with a facelift.
• Lifting lax eyelids and getting rid of undereye bags with an eyelid lift.
• Erasing forehead wrinkles and elevating a drooping brow with a brow lift.

You may also choose to explore non-surgical treatments for lifting and tightening, like EMFACE®.

5. You Saved Money During the Pandemic and Want to Use it Towards Self-Improvement

Because extracurricular activities like entertainment and travel were severely limited during the pandemic, many people were able to save money. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons asked several plastic surgeons the motivation behind their post-pandemic patients’ desire for plastic surgery, and the cost was a significant factor. According to the survey:

• 42% of patients reduced travel and instead used that money for cosmetic procedures
• 40% of patients were ready to pay any amount to feel happier and more confident
• 33% of patients saved money during the pandemic that they now choose to spend on surgery

Even if you’ve saved and budgeted for cosmetic procedures, you may wish to take advantage of options for financing your surgery. 

Learn More About Cosmetic Surgery in Miami

If you’re ready to explore your options for refreshing and rejuvenating your body and face after the pandemic, Dr. Careaga and Dr. Durand can help. Whether you are looking for surgical or non-surgical procedures, Dr. Careaga and Dr. Durand will work with you to customize an individualized treatment plan. Call (305) 574-9262 to schedule an appointment or fill out our online contact form.