THURSDAY, Feb. 9 (HealthDay News) -- A growing number of
Americans are getting advice and information about facial plastic
surgery from social networking sites rather than friends, a new
survey indicates.
About 42 percent of patients in 2011 got information from social
media such as Facebook and Twitter, a substantial increase from 29
percent of patients in 2010. The number of patients who sought
information from friends fell from 63 percent in 2010 to 48 percent
last year.
The findings are from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery's (AAFPRS) annual poll of member
surgeons.
"We are encouraged by the possibilities that Facebook, Twitter and other social channels offer for prospective patients, but urge all patients to exercise caution in researching facial plastic procedures to ensure information is from a reliable source," academy president Dr. Tom Wang said in an academy news release.
"There's a great deal of misinformation out there, and the best way to circumvent that is to consult an AAFPRS physician who is qualified, experienced and trained in performing facial plastic procedures," he added.
The survey also found that Botox and hyaluronic acid injections
were the most common nonsurgical procedures in 2011, while
rhinoplasty (nose modification), blepharoplasty (eyelid
modification), ablative skin resurfacings and facelifts were the
most common types of surgical procedures.
Among the other findings from the new survey:
- 70 percent of patients requested procedures by describing the
area of concern rather than asking for a specific product or
procedure by name.
- Nonsurgical procedures were more common than surgical
procedures.
- 63 percent of procedures were cosmetic rather than
reconstructive.
- For the third year in a row, women had more surgical and
nonsurgical procedures than men, with the exception of hair
transplants.
- Among different ethnic/racial groups, the most common cosmetic
procedures were rhinoplasty for blacks and Hispanics,
blepharoplasty or rhinoplasty for Asian Americans, and rhinoplasty
and facelift for whites.
- Only 14 percent of surgeons said they saw an increase in
requests for "celebrity procedures," such as wanting Angelina
Jolie's lips.
More information
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has more on
cosmetic surgery.