The popularity of plastic surgery has increased dramatically over the past decade. The cause for the popularity can be attributed to media exposure, overall commercialization, lower costs, and the ability to finance the surgery. The plastic surgery industry has drastically increased its marketing.

Financing

Financing plastic surgery has increased over the past decade because of the increased demand for cosmetic surgery. The financing can be managed through an outside source or through the doctor performing the surgery. A very important step in the popularizing of cosmetic surgery came when doctors began to offer financing for their surgical procedures. This allowed many people to afford surgery that previously could not have paid the high price associated with cosmetic surgery.

Men and Plastic Surgery

Recent studies show that women form 86 percent of all cosmetic surgery cases while men make up 14 percent. The percentage has increased among males to almost 25 percent in 2004. The most popular cosmetic surgery types for men are nose reshaping, breast reduction, eyelid surgery, liposuction, and hair transplantation. The most common type of plastic surgery chosen by men is Rhinoplasty or a nose job. This is believed to be the most popular because of the quick results after surgery and the low amount of pain following surgery.

Technological Advances

Technological advances have helped increase the popularity of the plastic surgery industry. The use of probes and endoscopes are the most recent and most commonly used tools in plastic surgery. For example, the endoscope is used during facial rejuvenation. Facial rejuvenation is done to lift parts of the face. The endoscope is essentially a camera that is placed under the skin. Small incisions are made around the area that is operated on. While under the skin, the endoscope aids the surgeon in performing the particular facial lift. Using the endoscope has shown to reduce the number of return surgeries. The endoscope also reduces the amount of pain and swelling. The endoscope can also be used during liposuction. This procedure is called the tumescent technique. The main goal in improving the technological field of plastic surgery is to make a more comfortable and pleasurable experience for the patient. The technological advances are also geared to help make the act of surgery easier and more efficient for the plastic surgeon.