Did you know that in 2018, there were a total of 17.7 million cosmetic procedures performed in the US?
That’s right! What’s more, almost nine in 10 of these procedures were of the minimally-invasive kind. In terms of the number of procedures done, most of these have had between 1% and 3% increase from the year before.
Overall, there was an increase of nearly a quarter of a million in procedures done from 2017 to 2018.
One reason for this is the drop in plastic surgery costs. A study found that the cost pof 19 cosmetic procedures went down by 26% on average. This decrease, according to the study, is relative to the wages of unskilled laborers.
In short, you may now be able to afford the plastic surgery cost of many of these procedures!
The question now is, what procedures are these exactly? Then keep reading to find out!
1. Botox
In 2018, there were a whopping 7.44 million professionally-administered Botox injections. This represents a 3% increase from the year before. This also shows how Botox continues to dominate the minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure market.
After all, Botox is effective in reducing the appearance of skin aging signs, such as frown lines. This neurotoxic protein, in very small doses, also helps treat crow’s feet and wrinkles.
However, did you know that one of the earliest uses of Botox was to treat eye disorders? That’s right!
Since the 1970s, Botox injections have been effective in treating strabismus. It’s a condition wherein the eyes aren’t properly aligned. Moreover, it helps treat blepharospasm, another eye condition characterized by involuntary blinking.
Studies have also shown how Botox can reduce headaches by up to 50%! Overactive bladder, excessive sweating, and acne are other maladies that Botox can treat.
2. Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are the second-most popular minimally-invasive procedure in the US. Like Botox, dermal fillers are also injectables that use various minerals and compounds. The most common ingredient, however, is hyaluronic acid.
Dermal fillers help reduce facial lines while restoring some volume to the face. They improve shallow contours, soften wrinkles, and plump up the skin. They’re often used around the eyes in the form of a tear trough filler, the lips in lip fillers and the jaw in jawline fillers. In some cases, they can even diminish the looks of some scars.
Although pricier than Botox, the cost of dermal fillers per syringe can be as low as $682! One syringe is more than enough for small treatment areas, like the lips.
3. Chemical Peels
The chemical will strip away old, dead cells from the top-most layers of the skin. In a few days, the upper layers of the skin will peel, allowing new and smooth skin to surface.
One session of superficial chemical peeling costs between $100 and $200. Medium peels can cost up to three times more. Deep peels, which are medical-grade chemicals, can cost between $3,500 and $5,000.
4. Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing can help ease the appearance of scars, lines, and sunspots. You have two options: non-ablative and ablative, with the former costing half less. To give you an idea, ablative laser skin resurfacing cost an average of $2,601 in 2018.
Ablative laser skin resurfacing involves the use of a laser to remove layers of the skin. For smaller treatment areas, the doctor will use a local anesthetic. If you’re getting a full-face treatment, you may have to go under general anesthesia.
Non-ablative procedures also use laser, but they don’t require the removal of skin. Instead, the laser heats up the underlying tissues to trigger the skin to make new collagen. While this is less-invasive, it’s more ideal for milder wrinkles and facial lines.
5. Chin Augmentation
Chin augmentation, also known as genioplasty, enhances the chin, neck, and jawlinecontours. It often involves placing an implant into the existing chin bone. The implant then enhances both the size and shape of the chin, giving it a more balanced look.
Chin enhancement surgery costs an average of $2,364. While that isn’t really cheap, this surgery offers a permanent solution for a weak chin.
6. Lip Implants (Without Fillers)
Although dermal fillers are great for enhancing thin lips, they require periodic sessions. If you’re looking for something longer-lasting, consider getting a lip implant. However, prepare for higher costs, as their prices range from $1,425 to $3,950.
A lip implant is a surgical, albeit minor procedure. It involves the insertion of a silicone or biodegradable material inside the lips. To place the implant, the doctor needs to make tiny incisions in the corners of your mouth.
7. Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, with an average cost of $3,026, is one of the least-expensive types of plastic surgery. Its goal is to “lift” droopy eyelids by getting rid of excess skin and fat deposits under the eyes. As a result, the eyes look younger, fresher, and more rejuvenated.
However, many people opt to undergo this surgery for health reasons too. For instance, there are many people whose droopy, sagging eyelids cause vision issues. The excess skin that hovers over their eyes can interfere with their eyesight.
A lower eyelid that droops can also expose a bigger portion of the white area below the iris. This can then make the eye more susceptible to irritation and infections.
Eyelid surgery may be beneficial in these cases as it removes drooping, hovering skin. Without this excess skin, you have less vision interference to worry about.
Consider These Procedures With Low Plastic Surgery Costs Now
There you have it, the complete list of procedures that have the lowest plastic surgery costs. You even have other options on how to afford plastic surgery, such as financing programs. In fact, if the procedure is medically necessary, then your insurance may even cover it!
Keep in mind, however, that there’s no cheap plastic surgery procedure but you can discuss more about it with Sean Ravaei from someplastics. If it’s too cheap to be true, then it probably is, so steer clear from such offers. Don’t compromise your safety, and instead, look for ways to make the procedure easier to afford.
Ready for more guides like this? Then be sure to check out the rest of the posts we have filed under the Health and Lifestyle sections!
