Holiday Season and the Surge of Cosmetic Surgeries

The holiday season, typically associated with family traditions, baking, and indulging, has also been linked to another gem: cosmetic surgery.

The winter months, laden with post-holiday blues and tropical vacations are primetime for the aesthetically inclined to get some work done.

Paul Lorenc, MD, FACS, board-certified surgeon, shared his thoughts on the influx of cosmetic surgical procedures during the holidays.

MD Magazine: Why is December/the holiday season the busiest time for cosmetic procedures? What are the primary demographics of these patients?

Lorenc: December/the holiday season is definitely the busiest time of year for cosmetic procedures mainly because people have time off from work to get procedures done and heal properly. Specifically, the week between Christmas and New Year’s is the busiest — many of my patients are business owners and professionals in their 50s and 60s (approximately 80% are women and 20% male). Apart from having extra time off from work to heal, many also come in for surgical “quick fixes” and for less-invasive treatments to prep for holiday parties.

What are the most requested cosmetic procedures during this season?

I have noticed facial surgeries are most popular during this peak season, because when you change something on your face it is more noticeable. Whereas, if a woman received a breast augmentation or a patient undergoes a tummy tuck, for instance, these procedures can easily be covered up while a patient returns to work and resumes everyday activities. I perform many facelifts and rhinoplasties during this time of year, and since facial surgeries can’t be easily hidden, patients take their vacation to heal nicely, and begin their new year with a fresh face.

Aside from people seeking very invasive surgeries, there is also a definite trend with less invasive procedures. Perfect for the holiday season, my office is offering Thermi™ treatments.

A. Thermi uses heat energy to accomplish various cosmetic feats. ThermiSmooth is used to correct fine lines and wrinkles, by heating and stimulating the skin’s collagen, tightening the skin, and reviving cells with a youthful new look. ThermiSmooth involves NO recovery and has NO downtime.

B. ThermiTight involves small incisions to heat the skin from underneath the surface to actually shrink the skin and melt away fat. The recovery time for ThermiTight is approximately a week, typically only involving a few days of downtime. Compared to ThermiSmooth, ThermiTight is better to treat excess skin and fat.

In the Christmas spirit, some practitioners provide special deals for many of the more common procedures like liposuction, breast augmentation, and facial plastic surgery. The idea of free consultations can also be highly tempting during the holiday season.

Furthermore, upon returning to work, to combat any stigmatic feelings, patients can easily pass the procedure off as a New Year’s exercise regimen or even simply plenty of rest.

Additionally, long vacations are ideal for recovery time, but whether the procedure was invasive or not, it’s important that patients consult with board-certified plastic surgeons to voice any concerns.