Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted Interest in Cosmetic Facial Plastic Surgery?: A Google Trends Analysis

AbstractFacial cosmetic surgery trends are evolving in the current climate of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate public interest in elective facial plastic surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic including the period of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution using Google Trends. A Google Trends analysis was completed using popular terms related to facial cosmetic surgery and procedures from March 2017 to August 2021. Three stages were identified (baseline, pre-COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and post-COVID-19 vaccine distribution). Descriptive statistics were calculated and two-tailed t-tests were performed between the pre-vaccine and the post-vaccine phases. Linear regression analysis was also performed to determine percent deflection of search terms. There was significantly greater interest in facial aesthetic procedure search terms, except for tear trough filler, during the post-COVID-19 vaccine phase compared with the pre-COVID-19 vaccine phase. There was greater interest in lower facial procedure interest during this phase compared with upper facial procedures (p-value = 0.0011). The search terms with the greatest deflection percentage during the post-vaccine phase were lip filler, brow lift, and lip flip. There continues to be high demands of facial plastic surgery and procedures despite COVID-19 pandemic.

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A Google Trends Analysis of Facial Plastic Surgery Interest During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery ◽

10.1007/s00266-020-01903-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

pp. 1378-1380 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Aatin K. Dhanda ◽

Elizabeth Leverant ◽

Kalyna Leshchuk ◽

Boris Paskhover

Keyword(s):

Plastic Surgery ◽

Google Trends ◽

Facial Plastic Surgery ◽

Trends Analysis ◽

Facial Plastic

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The Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Facial Plastic Surgery

Ear Nose & Throat Journal ◽

10.1177/014556139507400513 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 74 (5) ◽

pp. 364-368 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Corey S. Maas ◽

Stephen A. Sussman ◽

John Joseph Hewett

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Plastic Surgery ◽

Public Health Policy ◽

Cosmetic Surgery ◽

Worker Safety ◽

Hiv Disease ◽

Facial Plastic Surgery ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Facial Plastic ◽

Care Worker

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has imparted a number of concerns involving patient care and management as well as health care worker safety upon most surgical practices. Although these concerns are not often discussed in the context of facial plastic surgery (or particularly cosmetic surgery), they remain important issues. These issues are discussed with respect to public health policy, ethics and legality. The pathophysiological considerations for decision-making and care for HIV disease in the facial plastic surgery practice are addressed.

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The Influence of Photo Editing Applications on Patients Seeking Facial Plastic Surgery Services

Aesthetic Surgery Journal ◽

10.1093/asj/sjaa065 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sammy Othman ◽

Tanner Lyons ◽

Jason E Cohn ◽

Tom Shokri ◽

Jason D Bloom

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Social Media ◽

Plastic Surgery ◽

Cosmetic Surgery ◽

Paradigm Shifts ◽

Patient Decision Making ◽

Facial Plastic Surgery ◽

Patient Decision ◽

Facial Plastic ◽

Photo Editing

Abstract Background The utilization of the smartphone and social media have introduced paradigm shifts to cosmetic surgery. Much has been studied regarding social media and its influences in plastic surgery; however, little is known about facial editing applications and how these relate to plastic surgery practices. Objectives The authors sought to discover if face-editing applications influence patients’ pursuit of plastic surgery, who utilizes these applications, and why. Methods An anonymous survey was administered between September and December 2019, including questions about demographics, familiarity, and utilization of face-editing applications, motivations in utilization and influences towards pursuing cosmetic procedures, and attitudes towards applications. Results Seventy patients completed the survey and 32.9% admitted to utilizing face-editing applications. Patients utilizing applications were significantly younger (36.9 years) than those who did not (54 years [P < 0.001]). Among those familiar with applications, women were significantly more likely than men to utilize them (100% vs 78.6%, respectively [P = 0.047]). Social media was the most common influence for utilizing apps (87%). The majority confirmed that these applications played a role in pursuing cosmetic procedures (56.5%). Most patients did not regret their utilization of these applications (87%). Conclusions Face-editing applications serve a role regarding patient decision-making to pursue cosmetic surgery. Several motivators exist for application utilization, the largest of which is social media. Younger females are the most likely demographic to utilize applications and generally do not express regret in doing so. Plastic surgeons would benefit by understanding patient motivations and expectations created by utilizing these applications.

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Preoperative Imaging and Online Photo Galleries: The #Key to Surgical Commitment

The Surgery Journal ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1739117 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 07 (04) ◽

pp. e322-e326

Author(s):

Victoria B. Givens ◽

Stephen W. Perkins

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Plastic Surgery ◽

Cosmetic Surgery ◽

Surgical Intervention ◽

Preoperative Imaging ◽

Facial Plastic Surgery ◽

Physician Consultation ◽

Facial Plastic ◽

Aesthetic Practice ◽

Social Media Platforms

Abstract Importance Preoperative imaging provides an advantageous balance by helping patients to effectively communicate their aesthetic desires while allowing surgeons to establish realistic expectations of surgical outcomes. Objective To determine the role of preoperative imaging and the importance of online-based photo galleries in influencing a patient's decision to pursue cosmetic facial plastic surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients who underwent preoperative imaging prior to undergoing aesthetic facial plastic surgery from July 2019 to May 2020. An in-office physician-led clinical consultation followed by a preoperative imaging session was performed on each patient prior to surgical intervention. A 6-question survey was provided once to all patients between their 3- and 12-month postoperative time periods. Main Outcomes and Measures The importance of preoperative imaging and the influence of physician website and social media photo galleries regarding surgical decision-making was evaluated. Results A total of 100 participants (female [90; 90%]) and mean age 52.6 (range, 18–77) years were included. Nearly 60% of patients underwent facial rejuvenation procedures. All reported that preoperative in-office physician consultation in combination with the use of preoperative imaging were helpful in facilitating a commitment to surgical intervention. Sixty-nine (69%) patients endorsed the use of both the frontal and lateral imaging views, while 30 (30%) deemed a single angle to be superior. Seventy (70%) participants utilized online-based “before & after” photo galleries in the form of physician websites and/or social media platforms to assist in their decision to undergo surgical intervention. Conclusions and Relevance The combination of in-office physician consultation, preoperative imaging, and availability of website and/or social media photo galleries plays a key role in a patient's decision to pursue cosmetic surgery. Thus, implementation of all facets should become an integral part of any facial plastic surgeon's aesthetic practice.

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