ASDS Survey Reports Nearly 14 Million Treatments in 2019

The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) recently released its annual 2019 Survey on Dermatologic Procedures, revealing that injectables and laser, light and energy-based devices continued to grow in 2019, each totaling more than four million treatments.

These treatments surpassed skin cancer as the most performed procedure categories for ASDS members.

Skin cancer treatments led in the survey for the last seven consecutive years.

“Our annual survey, now in its eighth year, reflects our membership’s expertise, expansive and innovative treatment options and quality of care that comes from seeing a board certified ASDS member dermatologist,” says ASDS president Mathew M. Avram, MD, JD, in the press release announcing the survey results. “This also highlights the longstanding impact that dermatologists have on aesthetic surgery, being the pioneers of many cosmetic and reconstructive procedures from tumescent liposuction, laser surgery, botulinum toxin, Mohs micrographic surgery and so much more.”

Society members performed more than 10.3 million cosmetic treatments in 2019, a 14% increase from 2018, according to the survey.

The body sculpting category saw an increase of 62% from the previous year, injectable soft-tissue fillers were up 76% and laser, light and energy-based treatments grew 106% over the last eight years.

Cryolipolysis, also known as fat-freezing, and radiofrequency treatments were the most performed procedures in the category by 214% and 133%, respectively, in the last eight years.

In 2019, laser lipolysis rose 641%, microfocused ultrasound increased 202% and tumescent liposuction grew 109%.

New to the survey for 2019, muscle toning devices were used in more than 157,000 procedures and with over 160,000 procedures, hair rejuvenation treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) grew by 94%, while thread lifts increased 106% with nearly 68,000 procedures performed.

Facial rejuvenation continued to be a prominent concern for patients in 2019, as wrinkles, sun damage, and facial redness led the types of conditions treated by laser, light and energy-based devices with over 2.4 million treatments performed.

“The pioneering spirit of ASDS members and science-based research are driving the innovation of new treatment options, giving patients more choices and better outcomes,” says Dr. Avram, in the release. “This data continues to reinforce that ASDS board certified dermatologists are trusted by the public as the true experts for the health and beauty of the skin.”