What's the Most Popular Cosmetic Procedure?

A flood of reality television shows and media coverage on plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures may have inspired millions to opt for the growing array of face- and figure-enhancing options now available.

A new report shows the number of surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S. rose by 44% in 2004 to nearly 11.9 million.

The biggest increase in 2004 was in nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, including wrinkle-erasing injections of Botox. Nonsurgical procedures such as Botox, laser hair removal, and chemical peels rose by 51% over the previous year.

Plastic surgeries such as liposuction, breast augmentation, and facelifts grew by 17%.

"I believe at least some of this upward trend may be attributable to increased media coverage of plastic surgery in 2004," says Peter Fodor, MD, president of the American Society for Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery, which compiled the report. "People have had many more opportunities to see firsthand what plastic surgery is like and what it can do for others."

Liposuction and Botox were the most popular plastic surgeries and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, respectively, performed in 2004, but the popularity of various procedures varied slightly between men and women.