More Than Four in Five U.S. Adults Want to Improve Their Personal Well-Being or Appearance in 2019 and 36 Percent Are Considering Cosmetic Treatments, According to New RealSelf Survey
- One-third of U.S. adults (33 percent) are considering nonsurgical treatments and 22 percent are considering surgical procedures in 2019
- Consideration is highest among women, millennials ages 18 to 34, and parents with children under the age of 18
- Improving confidence/self-esteem and looking as good as one feels are top motivators for considering cosmetic treatments
Jan 17, 2019, 08:00 ET
SEATTLE, Jan. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- New Year's resolutions are top of mind in January, and a new survey conducted on behalf of RealSelf by The Harris Poll1 reveals 82 percent of U.S. adults plan to make changes related to their personal well-being and/or appearance in 2019, most notably exercise more (58 percent), eat healthier foods (55 percent), invest more in mental health (33 percent), and make greater efforts to lose weight (32 percent). Millennials ages 18-34 are more likely than those 35 and older to be planning personal well-being or appearance changes of any kind (88 percent vs. 80 percent).
Further underscoring Americans' plans to invest in their personal well-being and appearance, more than one-third (36 percent) of U.S. adults are considering one or more cosmetic treatments in the next 12 months. This is more than 60 percent higher than those who report they have had a cosmetic procedure in the past (22 percent).
Women, Millennials and Parents with Young Children Most Likely to Be Considering
Though interest in cosmetic treatments transcends both age and gender, consideration is highest among women, millennials ages 18 to 34, and parents with children under the age of 18. Women (42 percent) are significantly more likely than men (30 percent) to be considering cosmetic treatments in the next 12 months. Millennials are nearly twice as likely as adults 35 and older to be considering a surgical or nonsurgical treatment in the next 12 months (57 percent vs. 28 percent), and half (50 percent) of parents with children under 18 are currently considering cosmetic treatments, compared to only 28 percent of U.S. adults without children under 18.
"People want to make positive changes in their lives and take steps to look as good as they feel," said Dr. Lara Devgan, RealSelf Chief Medical Officer and board-certified plastic surgeon. "This survey reinforces the trends we're observing on RealSelf and what I'm seeing in my own practice—adults in their 20s and 30s are prioritizing self-care and many view cosmetic treatments as one part of their holistic health and beauty routine. With new technologies and minimally invasive treatment options entering the market every year, procedures are becoming more accessible and a growing number of Americans are exploring their elective treatment options."
Interest in Non-Surgical Treatments Outpaces Surgical
One-third of U.S. adults (33 percent) are considering nonsurgical treatments in the next 12 months while 22 percent are considering surgical treatments. Cosmetic dentistry (32 percent) and laser hair removal (30 percent) are the top choices among those interested in nonsurgical options, while tummy tuck (30 percent) and chin or neck lift (25 percent) top the list for surgical procedures.
Top 5 Nonsurgical Treatments Being Considered in Next 12 Months 2 |
Top 5 Surgical Treatments Being Considered in Next 12 Months |
1. Cosmetic Dentistry (32%) (e.g., Invisalign, Whitening, Veneers) 2. Laser Hair Removal (30%) 3. Facial Skin Treatments (25%) (e.g., Dermaplaning, Microneedling) 4. Facial / Lip Fillers (24%) 5. Botox / Toxins (21%) |
1. Tummy Tuck (30%) 2. Chin or Neck Lift (25%) 3. Arm or Leg Lift (19%), Eyelid Surgery (19%) 4. Liposuction (17%), Breast Augmentation (17%) 5. Facelift (16%) |
Top Motivators: Boosting Confidence and Looking as Good as One Feels
Among those who have previously had cosmetic treatments or are considering them in the next 12 months, the top motivation was/is to improve self-esteem and confidence (40 percent) followed closely by looking as good as one feels (36 percent).
Main Motivations for Having/Considering Cosmetic Treatments: |
Overall % |
To improve my self-esteem/confidence |
40% |
To look as good as I feel |
36% |
To look younger |
26% |
Help with weight loss/fat removal |
22% |
Combat aging |
22% |
Convenience and to save time/effort |
15% |
Get my body back after having children |
12% |
To learn more about RealSelf reports and trends, please visit www.realself.com/press.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of RealSelf from December 13-17, 2018 among 2,021 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, among whom 777 have had cosmetic treatments and/or are considering cosmetic treatments in the next 12 months. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact RealSelf PR.
About RealSelf
RealSelf is the leading online marketplace for people to learn and share experiences about cosmetic procedures and connect with the right providers. Millions of people from around the world visit RealSelf each month to browse patient reviews, before and after photos, and medical expert answers to discover which treatments and providers live up to their promise of being "Worth It." From simple skincare to emerging nonsurgical technologies to highly considered cosmetic surgeries, RealSelf makes it easy to get the insights needed to make smart, confident decisions and find the right provider. For more information, visit The Treatment blog or follow RealSelf on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
1This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of RealSelf from December 13-17, 2018 among 2,021 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
2Among U.S. adults considering one or more cosmetic treatments in the next 12 months.
SOURCE RealSelf
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