Skip to main content

The 2021 Plastic Surgery Stats are now being collected, and while we wait for the results, it’s a great time to look at the most recent numbers. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic affected every industry, including plastic surgery. The ISAPS recently released their numbers for 2020, and here is what they found.

While the 2020 cosmetic plastic surgery procedures declined due to shutdowns in elective surgery, Rhinoplasty bucked the trend. Maybe it was the ability to wear a mask in public without questions being asked.

2020 Worldwide Plastic Surgery Statistics

The Top 5 Plastic Surgery Procedures were Breast Augmentation, Liposuction, Eyelid Surgery, Rhinoplasty and Abdominoplasty.

Worldwide Plastic Surgery Top 5 Procedures

Worldwide Plastic Surgery Top 5 Procedures in 2020

My Walnut Creek Plastic Surgery Office, like many businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area, was closed for surgery for three months in 2020. This was due to restrictions made by county health officers in an effort to limit the extent of COVID-19 transmission. Time will tell if restricting medical care was a good idea, as 2021 was the year of delayed cancer diagnosis in no small part due to the lack of elective biopsies in 2020. Early research shows shutting down elective surgery caused more harm than good, and to their credit public health officers, these types of restrictions have not been repeated.

Female Plastic Surgery

It is no secret that persons identifying as female account for the majority of plastic surgery patients. Child bearing has a major effect on the types of cosmetic plastic surgery that women request.

Female Plastic Surgery Worldwide

Female Plastic Surgery Worldwide in 2020

Mommy Makeovers – a combination of Breast Augmentation and Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) are the most common combination plastic surgery I perform. This trend is also reflected in the worldwide statistics.

Male Plastic Surgery

Men also have Cosmetic Plastic Surgery. The most common procedures are Eyelid Lifts (Blepharoplasty), Liposuction and Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia Reduction)

Male Plastic Surgery Worldwide

Male Plastic Surgery Worldwide in 2020

The most common Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) is Ear Pinning, or setting back ears that stick out. In 2020, Otoplasty was the fifth most commonly performed male cosmetic plastic surgery, but it should be noted that the procedure is performed twice as often for women.

Non-Surgical and Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Procedures

Non-surgical, minimally invasive procedures also saw a decrease in demand for the most popular procedures. Botulinum Toxin was essentially unchanged, and wrinkle fillers saw a decline of 6%. Hair Removal, Non-Surgical Fat Reduction and Photo Rejuvenation all saw significant increases in demand.

Non-Surgical and Minimally Invasive Plastic Surgery Procedures

Non-Surgical and Minimally Invasive Plastic Surgery Procedures 2020

It is interesting to note that even though Liposuction was down 10% and Nonsurgical Fat Reduction was up 21% – Surgical Liposuction was performed three times as frequently as the noninvasive procedures.

USA USA USA – We’re Number One

The United States of America leads the way with the most board certified plastic surgeons (7000), the most cosmetic plastic surgery procedures (1.5 million) and the most non-surgical cosmetic procedures (3.2 million). South Korea still leads on a per capita basis.

2020 Plastic Surgery Statistics Worldwide

The USA leads the way with the largest number of plastic surgeons and procedures.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Consultations

If you are considering Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, be certain to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. The USA is the country with the largest number of plastic surgeons in the world with 7000. Find a qualified and experienced board certified plastic surgeon for your consultation. In the San Francisco Bay Area call (925) 943-6353 to learn more about the options available for you.

(925) 943-6353
Book an Appointment