Without question, the terrible economy has taken a bite out of the plastic-surgery profession. A study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons showed that in 2008, cosmetic surgeries in the United States were down 9 percent from 2007-at $11.8 billion, to be exact.
But now, unexpectedly, there’s been something of a bounce-back. Part of this is probably because people are growing more confident in the economy, but a lot of cosmetic surgeons are citing growing competition for jobs as the reason. Specifically, older workers are trying their best to compete with younger workers, so they’re investing in procedures that will make them look better as well as feel better after a strenuous eight-hours at work.
The survey studied 756 women, between ages 18 through 64. Of those, 13% said they were considering plastic surgery to make them feel either more confident or more competitive, or both, in the struggling U.S. Job market.
Due to the nature of the operation, it’s safe to predict that most of these women are referring to procedures such as facelifts or breast procedures. However, it’s not out of the question that job competition might also lead some women to seek more intimate procedures such as labiaplasty and vaginoplasty. One of the chief reason women give for labiaplasty in particular is that, without the procedure, the oversized labia sometimes becomes visible through certain clothing. This condition certainly can cause discomfort while sitting eight hours through a work day. Therefore, a woman who was already thinking about labiaplasty might consider it now to give her an added edge at that new job.
Some surgeons have noted an increase in the number of women seeking plastic-surgery loans, again because of career considerations. These women consider the cost an investment in their future.
Other reason cited by some plastic surgeons for increasing number of people having cosmetic procedures done now, despite the economy: People want to feel good again. Doctors mention that people are tired of feeling gloomy all the time and are ready once again to do something to indulge themselves-to make them feel good about life again.
