Post Pandemic Aesthetic Enhancement
It is no secret that the pandemic completely changed how everyone lived their daily lives. Yet, in the face of such upheaval, we adapted. We altered the way that we perceived the world, others, and ourselves. This is reflected in recent statistics that have revealed a 19% increase in cosmetic surgery since 2019. It appears that people, in the aftermath, felt a strong desire to transform or change. This was attempted through hobbies or journeys of self-improvement through exercise, therapy, and more.
The Unmasking
It is interesting that different procedures gained popularity as different social restrictions were removed, and we were slowly exposed to society again. When masks were implemented as a tool to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the eyes were the only facial feature left visible. The extensive focus on the eyes led to an increase in eyelid surgery, placing it as number four overall in surgical procedures.
Then, as masks came off, people began to be surprised by the appearance of each other's faces. On social media, a powerful trend emerged. Someone would lower their mask and ask the comment section to determine if they looked better with or without it. This open dialogue about appearance led to a shift in focus to the lips and nose, encouraging many to make the changes they had always wanted. Influencers also played a significant role, openly sharing the procedures and minimal cosmetic adjustments they had made. This transparency ultimately made their followers and users of social media much more comfortable with the idea of undergoing a procedure.
Social Media's Effect
Additionally, spending more time on virtual platforms for work or school allowed people to see their reflections for prolonged periods of time. People going through this may seek a more youthful or rejuvenated look to feel their best when working. Lastly, with more terms and categories, there are more beauty standards. Just recently, Ozempic has been changing the lives of many people who suffer from obesity. However, there has been a new look coined 'Ozempic-face', which refers to a slimmer face that is typically seen on people who have taken the medication for weight loss. This is because of the pronounced aging that appears after rapid weight loss. It can be predicted that this will drastically affect the statistics of facial cosmetic procedures.
Skin Procedures
Another area of interest after the removal of masks was the facial skin. Minimally invasive skin procedures have gained popularity as they offer the convenience of making significant changes, such as skin rejuvenation, while providing quicker recovery and instant results. Some of these skin treatments are chemical peels, laser pulse therapy, dermabrasion, and skin resurfacing. The most popular of all were Neuromodulator injections and dermal fillers, which experienced the most notable increase.
Body- Centric Procedures
As we left our homes and reclaimed social spaces, people began attending public gyms and exercising. Many aimed to lose the weight they had gained while at home during the pandemic. This led to an increase in body-centric procedures, as they remove fat in stubborn areas that cannot be lost through working. Liposuctions have increased by 23% since 2019, and Tummy Tucks have also increased by 37% since 2019. While both surgeries focus on the abdominal area, breast lifts also faced growing popularity in the aftermath of the pandemic. This shows that many individuals sought balance and proportionality in their bodies.
Lower- Body Focused Treatments
Lower-body surgical procedures regained their appreciation after the pandemic as well. Patients desired more definition and skin tightness in their glutes, so they aimed towards procedures such as buttock implants. Others chose options such as buttock augmentation and fat grafting procedures famously known as Brazilian Butt Lifts. These netted 28,638 procedures in 2022.
Reclaiming Your Body
Covid-19 offered many people the option to focus on themselves and want self-improvement. This carried into their lives when social restrictions were removed, allowing them to seek procedures they had always wanted to feel like their most confident self. Cosmetic procedures are life-changing. If you want to learn more about any of these treatments and see if they are right for you, contact us at our Icon Cosmetic Center office in Miami or call (786) 233-7080.