There’s no way to know exactly what’s going to happen in 2017, but experts agree that cosmetic surgery is poised for growth. Americans spent more money than ever before on cosmetic improvements in 2016. Below are some of the cosmetic-improvement-trends you can expect for the year ahead:
A mere decade ago, non-invasive body contouring options didn’t even exist. For unwanted excess fat deposits on the body, surgical liposuction was the only option in the United States. Over the past ten years though, a number of different non-surgical options have been attempted. The first non-invasive procedure involved freezing fat cells, which destroyed them. Unfortunately, this cold-treatment led to unpredictable results and unnatural-looking contours.
Next, heat-based technologies hit the market. These non-invasive body contouring treatments were unfortunately very painful. Patients got burned or bruised. Fat-melting fell out of style.
But recently, an Israeli company invented an ultrasound machine that mechanically destroys fat cells by shaking them. There’s no pain or discomfort and the recovery period is almost non-existent. Patients experience no side effects. The technology for this Israeli device will certainly improve over time. This non-invasive body-contouring via fat-cell-shaking-procedure will likely be a big hit in 2017 and beyond.
In 2016, the FDA approved a new injection treatment that eliminates stubborn fat deposits. Kybella is an injectable that can be used to treat a double chin. The outcomes from Kybella are dramatic and the procedure is minimally invasive. Double chins are a common concern that previously could only be addressed through surgical liposuction. Chances are Kybella will be a popular treatment in 2017.
Speaking of Kybella, in 2016, men started seeking out cosmetic surgery en masse. A product like Kybella that promises a more masculine jawline will certain impress the male gender in 2017. But that’s not all! More and more American men have also been seeking out hyaluronic acid fillers to create a more aesthetically pleasing jaw angle and to amp up their masculine appearance. With new studies showing that the angularity of the jaw impacts a man’s perceived attractiveness, all non-invasive jaw-related procedures are likely to be hot in 2017.
Cosmetic facial treatments have always been popular, but over the past two years, with more non-invasive technologies available now than ever for both men and women, facial procedures are likely to dominate the cosmetic industry. There’s been a rise in the number of patients seeking hyaluronic acid injections rather than Botox to address fine lines on the forehead. Botox can reduce facial movement and some patients are choosing hyaluronic acid as an alternative that doesn’t affect their expressiveness. Lower doses of Botox and Dysport are now in higher demand to produce a natural-looking result with fewer, shallower lines on the forehead.
The underlying causes of rosacea and eczema are starting to be revealed through research, so treatment options for these two disorders will certainly be in high demand as well. And skincare science, in general, with new technologies and ingredients on offer for patients in search of better looking skin is also a growing field.
Though fat reduction and anti-aging are definitely at the top-of-the-list for 2017, new technologies could still offer a few surprises and spur cosmetic industry growth even further.
Written by: Dr. Louis Cole
Dr. Louis Cole is the medical director of the Atlanta Liposuction Specialty Clinic in Duluth, GA. Dr. Cole's top training and certifications expand to laser liposuction, power-assisted liposuction, and fat transfer to breasts & buttocks. As newer technologies and laser advancements (such as SmartLipo) made headway, Dr. Cole quickly modernized and mastered skin tightening & fat transfer techniques becoming a sought-after name in the aesthetic industry.