Cosmetic surgery is a thriving business in Australia with reported figures and researches showing a great demand for various procedures especially from young and affluent clients. In 2011, data have revealed that Australians have spent an estimated $1 billion on cosmetic surgeries and treatments for that year with the outlook still showing more growth.
The most common procedures according to Australian College of Cosmetic Surgeons president, Dr. Russell Knudsen, are still breast augmentations and liposuctions. Rhinoplasty or nose lift and blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is also among the usual procedures being performed. Aside from these though, there is also a rise in the demand of the so called non-surgical treatments like laser and Botox. These types of procedures can be done quickly too and will not require a considerable amount of time for recovery.
According to the market research report released by IBISWorld, it is estimated that the growth of the cosmetic industry in Australia will reach 22%. One of the major factors that fuel such increase in demand is the growing popularity of the non-invasive cosmetic procedures or treatments. According to the same market researcher, the amount of money spent by Australians for these kinds of procedures during 2010 has reached $560 million which is an increased of25% when compared to 2009. IBISWorld researchers pointed out that these non-surgical treatments are increasingly becoming popular because of convenience, lack of long recovery period, non-permanent result, and less negative views that other may have about such procedures.
Australia is seen by market researchers to be following the trend in the United States where there data have shown an increase also in the number of non-surgical procedures like Botox and the use of fillers. Figures released for 2011 showed that there are 13.8 million cosmetic procedures and about 5.5 million reconstructive surgeries done in the United States. All of these amounted to a remarkable $10.4 billion in total revenues for the industry.
The US data also revealed that women are mainly the clients of the cosmetic industry as they are the subject of 91% of the procedures performed during 2011. Breast augmentation is still the leading surgical treatment being sought along with nose reshaping which is the common procedure done to men clients, eyelid surgery, face lift, and liposuction.
Cosmetic surgeries and treatments regardless these are invasive or not can be costly and are not covered by health insurance being a non-medical necessity. That is why most of the clients who undergo such procedures are essentially with money or simply rich. Despite of this though and current economic condition, Australia will still expect a rise on the number of procedures and treatments in the coming years if existing projections will hold true.