It is generally said that whenever society faces any problems, it generally overcomes these problems with new advancements in the struggle to survive. This will remain one of the most important goals during the current pandemic.
Countless businesses and companies have been negatively affected by the recent coronavirus outbreak and as we try to rebuild our economy, certain industries are also trying their best to survive. One such industry is the plastic surgery market.
In the years 2000 to 2018, the popularity of cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures rose by an astonishingly 163%. However, with the current crisis, there are plenty of additional factors that may change the plastic surgery market forever.
Of course, society will not resemble pre-2020 after the coronavirus has passed, and the changes that occur will redefine social interactions for years to come.
What is Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery is a type of procedure that is done for reconstruction, restoration, or simply alteration of the body. Most plastic surgeries usually fall into one of two categories: reconstruction or cosmetic. The difference between the two is that reconstruction surgeries are normally done to rebuild a body part. For instance, someone with severe second-degree burns may require skin grafts to reconstruct the affected areas.
Cosmetic surgeries, on the other hand, are typically done if someone is unsatisfied with a part of their body. If you have ever heard of breast augmentation or rhinoplasty surgeries, you already have a good idea of what cosmetic surgeries are.
1. The Rising Demand for Plastic Surgery
In the year 2018, statistics show that Americans spent nearly over $16 billion on plastic surgery procedures, with a majority being cosmetic. Plastic surgery is generally one of the most expensive surgeries to have done and the recovery period can be quite stressful.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a majority of plastic surgeons have declared that they are no longer accepting candidates for surgery, however, a small portion of surgeons are still open for business. The demand for plastic surgery has not waned due to the virus, as more patients are inquiring about plastic surgery each day.
Breast augmentations and liposuctions are currently the two most desired plastic surgeries. The demand for plastic surgeries makes sense. A majority of the population has been given strict stay-at-home orders and as a result, there has been a pent-up desire for plastic surgery.
However, the coronavirus outbreak has negatively impacted the financial situations or many families nationwide and it is expected that patients may opt for more affordable procedures. Plastic surgeons expect to see a rise in the number of fillers and Botox procedures as the months go by.
With this constant demand for plastic surgery, it can be difficult to perform in-person consultations with the constant concern of safety. This is where telemedicine comes in.
2. Plastic Surgeons for Telemedicine
While a majority of plastic surgeons have limited the types of surgeries that they will perform during this time, several practices are still open for business in the less affected regions of the globe. To avoid close contact and the spread of COVID-19, plastic surgery practices have incorporated telemedicine into their practice.
Telemedicine is generally defined as the act of receiving medical care from a specialist through a video streaming service. This can be done with almost every field of medicine, including gynecology, pediatrics, dermatology, radiology, and plastic surgery. While there are procedures that cannot be done through a screen, patients can benefit from the convenience of consulting with their surgeons from the comfort of their homes.
To avoid in-person appointments and consultations, plastic surgeons are now virtually visiting their patients through the means of a telemedicine platform. These visits are completely private and work just like an actual appointment, except without the in-person aspect.
In a virtual visit, you will be able to express your concerns to your surgeon and discuss the procedure thoroughly before scheduling it.
3. What Procedures Are Still Being Done by Plastic Surgeons?
If you are considering plastic surgery, you may think that the pandemic is the best time to do so. You may have tons of free time on your hands now, however, there is still a large risk of contracting the deadly virus when entering a public space.
Countless hospitals and Emergency rooms are currently at full capacity across the globe and because of this, several plastic surgeries practices have decided to help lessen the load on these hospitals. Plastic surgery practices are now mostly accepting patients that need immediate care such as those with severe facial injuries or lacerations.
Of course, minor procedures such as fillers and Botox are still being performed as well. Talking to a surgeon who specializes in these services like Neaman Plastic Surgery will give you an idea of what’s possible in the present time. Depending on where you live, some services may be more feasible than others.
4. A New Look for America
During our time at home, without easy access to cosmetic procedures or self-care products, we are forced to see ourselves for what we truly are. We may look in the mirror every morning and eventually come to terms with our slightly graying hair or maybe even small wrinkles on our faces.
Experts predict that we will see America take on a more natural appearance post-pandemic. Instead of undergoing procedures such as Brazilian butt lifts or augmentations to greatly enhance our physical assets, more people will attempt to achieve a balanced aesthetic. This means that more people will desire a physically proportional appearance.
In the years to come, there will be less plastic surgery practices available and less innovative surgeries. Intense safety procedures are also expected to decrease the desire for plastic surgery procedures. Non-invasive surgeries such as fillers and lasers still may be performed, however, America will simply shift away from materialism.
A majority of elective surgeries are expected to be available once a vaccine for the virus is found, however, whether or not they will rise in popularity again just cannot be accurately predicted. As for now, small procedures are the safest and most affordable bet.
