TY - JOUR
T1 - Motivations for seeking minimally invasive cosmetic procedures in an academic outpatient setting
AU - Sobanko, Joseph F.
AU - Taglienti, Anthony J.
AU - Wilson, Anthony J.
AU - Sarwer, David B.
AU - Margolis, David J.
AU - Dai, Julia
AU - Percec, Ivona
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc.
PY - 2015/11
Y1 - 2015/11
N2 - Background: The demand for minimally invasive cosmetic procedures has continued to rise, yet few studies have examined this patient population. Objectives: This study sought to define the demographics, social characteristics, and motivations of patients seeking minimally invasive facial cosmetic procedures. Methods: A prospective, single-institution cohort study of 72 patients was conducted from 2011 through 2014 at an urban academic medical center. Patients were aged 25 through 70 years; presented for botulinum toxin or soft tissue filler injections; and completed demographic, informational, and psychometric questionnaires before treatment. Descriptive statistics were conducted using Stata statistical software. Results: The average patient was 47.8 years old, was married, had children, was employed, possessed a college or advanced degree, and reported an above-average income. Most patients felt that the first signs of aging occurred around their eyes (74.6%), and a similar percentage expressed this area was the site most desired for rejuvenation. Almost one-third of patients experienced a "major life event" within the preceding year, nearly half had sought prior counseling from a mental health specialist, and 23.6% were being actively prescribed psychiatric medication at the time of treatment. Conclusions: Patients undergoing injectable aesthetic treatments in an urban outpatient academic center were mostly employed, highly educated, affluent women who believed that their procedure would positively impact their appearance. A significant minority experienced a major life event within the past year, which an astute clinician should address during the initial patient consultation. This study helps to better understand the psychosocial factors characterizing this patient population.
AB - Background: The demand for minimally invasive cosmetic procedures has continued to rise, yet few studies have examined this patient population. Objectives: This study sought to define the demographics, social characteristics, and motivations of patients seeking minimally invasive facial cosmetic procedures. Methods: A prospective, single-institution cohort study of 72 patients was conducted from 2011 through 2014 at an urban academic medical center. Patients were aged 25 through 70 years; presented for botulinum toxin or soft tissue filler injections; and completed demographic, informational, and psychometric questionnaires before treatment. Descriptive statistics were conducted using Stata statistical software. Results: The average patient was 47.8 years old, was married, had children, was employed, possessed a college or advanced degree, and reported an above-average income. Most patients felt that the first signs of aging occurred around their eyes (74.6%), and a similar percentage expressed this area was the site most desired for rejuvenation. Almost one-third of patients experienced a "major life event" within the preceding year, nearly half had sought prior counseling from a mental health specialist, and 23.6% were being actively prescribed psychiatric medication at the time of treatment. Conclusions: Patients undergoing injectable aesthetic treatments in an urban outpatient academic center were mostly employed, highly educated, affluent women who believed that their procedure would positively impact their appearance. A significant minority experienced a major life event within the past year, which an astute clinician should address during the initial patient consultation. This study helps to better understand the psychosocial factors characterizing this patient population.
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U2 - 10.1093/asj/sjv094
DO - 10.1093/asj/sjv094
M3 - Article
C2 - 26038370
AN - SCOPUS:84954047728
SN - 1090-820X
VL - 35
SP - 1014
EP - 1020
JO - Aesthetic surgery journal
JF - Aesthetic surgery journal
IS - 8
ER -