The number of patients booking for plastic surgery significantly increases right before the New Year, a seemingly ubiquitous trend plastic surgeons have noticed over the past several years.
While people have different reasons why having plastic surgeries or minimally invasive procedures such as Botox and dermal fillers is “ideal” during the long holiday season, it all boils down to the convenience of having enough time to heal. As surgical enhancements almost always involve some swelling, bruising, and some level of discomfort (or pain for those who are having surgeries), patients prefer to hide out from the public during recovery.
Popular plastic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation, facelift, liposuction, and tummy tuck require a week or two of downtime, while minimally invasive treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers only involve a few days of recovery.
Aside from long vacations for a convenient recovery, patients also opt to have their cosmetic procedures during the holiday season to look good when parties are held almost everyday. Quick fixes that do not involve prolonged downtime such as chemical peels and facial injections are the popular choice, facial double board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Karan Dhir said.
And in the time of gift giving, some parents, husbands, wives, sisters, and friends choose to give plastic surgery vouchers as gifts to their loved ones. Elle magazine has cited one cosmetic dermatologist who claimed that some mothers gave their daughters vouchers for laser hair removal and other non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
And with highly commercialized Christmas season, which is immediately followed by New Year, it is not surprising that the number of patients seeking cosmetic surgeries can spike up to 20 to 35 percent during this period, according to a recent ABC News report which cited several plastic surgeons.
To take advantage of the “trend,” meanwhile, some doctors offer discounts and promos during the holiday season in an attempt to lure more patients into getting surgical enhancements.
Meanwhile, some patients’ reason for having cosmetic procedures at the time of merrymaking is to start off the New Year with an improved appearance and the belief that it will attract more luck especially in the area of job security, love, and career.