Take one look at Instagram — is anybody au naturel anymore? Americans can’t seem to get enough of botox, fillers, lasers, and more. Cosmetic procedures are rising every year, with 24 percent of Americans admitting that they have had something done, according to a report by Real Self. The report also found that 26 percent of respondents between the ages of 30 to 44 said that they would spend anywhere from $10 thousand to $100 thousand to change something about their appearance … if they could make the payments over time.
So, what are Americans actually spending on cosmetic enhancements? The Aesthetic Society gathered data from 200 plastic surgery practices across the U.S. to determine the most popular procedures, how much they cost, and how much Americans spend on them total in a year. Here are 10 popular procedures Americans can’t get enough of, and how much of their hard-earned money is going towards it.
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Fillers
Cost Per Procedure: $700 Yearly Total Spent: $454,535,796
One look at Instagram or pretty much any celebrity, and it appears that giant lips are more trendy than ever. You can thank injectable fillers. Besides enlarging lips, fillers plump up and smooth out wrinkles and enhance cheekbones. The cons: it has to be done regularly basically forever, and you can end up looking ridiculous.
Botox
Cost Per Procedure: $326 Yearly Total Spent: $1,286,005,600
Some people like Botox because it’s quick, it doesn’t require downtime, and it easily smoothes out wrinkles and fine lines. Though the procedure is very popular, it comes with its risks, such as eye drooping when placed wrong, and honestly, just looking so frozen it’s freakish.
Chemical Peel
Cost Per Procedure: $196 Yearly Total Spent: $72,837,446
A chemical peel helps even out skin tone and texture, fades acne marks, and even softens lines. But, a peel can go so, so wrong. If it’s done too deeply or by someone inexperienced, you risk scarring, blistering, and even infection. After all, you’re putting acid on your face.
Related: I Love My Botox — and Wish I Could Be More Open About It
Microneedling
Cost Per Procedure: $302 Yearly Total Spent: $45,990,670
Microneedling involves repeatedly puncturing the skin with tiny, sterile needles in order to improve texture. While it sounds a little bit horrific, It supposedly makes the skin produce more collagen as it heals. Even if done by an expert, you risk infection and swelling. Plus, it’s another procedure that needs to be done frequently. Ouch.
Hair Restoration
Cost Per Procedure: $2,582 Yearly Total Spent: $79,860,880
Hair transplants aren’t cheap, but at least they last for years, if not life. However, the process might make you slightly squeamish. One method involves removing a strip of skin from the back of the head, setting it aside, and sewing the scalp shut before transplanting the hairs from the skin.
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Cellulite Treatments
Cost Per Procedure: $490 Yearly Total Spent: $10,896,052
One way to smooth out dimples includes an incision in the skin and inserting a laser probe to heat up tissues underneath. You’re typically out of commission for a day or two, and the results last about a year. Risks involve swelling, burns, and infection, all fun stuff.
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Skin Treatment
Cost Per Procedure: $741 Yearly Total Spent: $776,058,800
Skin treatments might include anything from facials to lasers to exfoliating procedures, all in the name of better-looking skin. One thing for sure is that Americans are willing to spend hundreds of their hard-earned cash to chase the fountain of youth.
Body Contouring
Cost Per Procedure: $1,065 Yearly Total Spent: $426,303,548
Coolsculpting is a popular fat-freezing procedure that destroys fat cells in different parts of the body. It may sound like an amazing solution for a better body, but buyer beware. Model Linda Evangelista brought the procedure’s risks to light, claiming it caused her permanent disfigurement. Coolsculpting can cause fat cells to grow and harden, leaving lumps in the body.
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Hair Removal
Cost Per Procedure: $175 Yearly Total Spent: $69,935,866
Sometimes, shaving just isn’t enough. For people who want to be done with razors forever, laser hair removal gets rid of hair with a concentrated beam of light. The procedure can get pricey though, as it often requires multiple sessions to work on an area.
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Tattoo Removal
Cost Per Procedure: $233 Yearly Total Spent: $5,767,872
Perhaps that tat that seemed so cool when you were in college just looks lame now. Or else you had a bad breakup and that name needs to go. Whatever the reason, tattoo removal is big business. And while tattoo removal isn’t exactly pain-free, it’s supposedly less painful than getting one in the first place.
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