Historically, summer has been a slower season for plastic surgeons. There are a number of reasons for this, starting with the fact that, during the summer, a lot of people are itching to travel, hang out at the pool, and enjoy fun activities with their families. The last thing they want is to be off their feet for a few days, recovering from a cosmetic procedure.
This summer has been a little different, however… and in fact, here at Charlotte Plastic Surgery, we’ve seen a bit of a boom. We’ve had a lot of patients who view this strange quarantine season as an ideal time to change their appearance.
But why is that, exactly? Our own Dr. Stephen Finical was recently on the local news, explaining this and other significant plastic surgery trends.
Quarantine Plastic Surgery Trends: Our Take
“I’ve done more this summer than I’ve ever done in any summer before,” Dr. Finical said on his news appearance, making it clear from the outset that cosmetic surgery has hardly been put on the backburner, even in the midst of a pandemic.
Dr. Finical was specifically addressing nose jobs, and he wasn’t just speaking for himself: Both at Charlotte Plastic Surgery and at cosmetic surgery practices across the country, business has been booming.
“People have a lot of time off,” Dr. Finical noted. “And there aren’t other distractions.” For example, summer travel hasn’t been nearly as robust this year compared with past years, an obvious effect of the pandemic. This has provided people with the time as well as the extra cash flow to pursue nose jobs and other surgical procedures. Indeed, a lot of our patients have vacation time they can’t really use for travel, and that’s why they’re flocking to our practice in such high numbers this summer.
Another explanation for this summer’s plastic surgery trends? Mask wearing. A lot of individuals are coming to have the lower halves of their faces worked on, knowing that the post-op bruising and swelling will mostly be hidden any time they’re out in public.
Extra cash on hand is still another big contributor to the summer plastic surgery boom. What a number of patients have told us is that, because they’re not able to spend as much money shopping, eating out, and traveling, they have disposable income set aside for cosmetic surgery. And a lot of people were saving their money to take a trip this summer, and are now putting that money toward liposuction, nose jobs, and CoolSculpting.
Zoom and other video conferencing platforms have played a role in raising interest in cosmetic surgery. That’s because many people now use Zoom for most of their professional interactions, which means they spend good chunks of each day seeing their own image reflected on their laptop screen.
“They’re picking out different issues in their own appearance,” comments Dr. Finical. “People realize [Zoom] is here to stay, and they want to look their best because they’re going to be doing this for a long time, potentially.”
The bottom line? The pandemic has flipped the script with regard to plastic surgery trends. “The summer is typically our slower time,” summarizes Dr. Finical. “This summer is not that way.”
Ensuring Safety in the Time of Coronavirus
As we get more and more patients eager to have cosmetic procedures performed, we’re also making some changes to our typical protocols and procedures, ensuring we put patient safety above all else.
For example, we’re handling initial consultations virtually. Rather than coming to our office to speak with a surgeon, you can talk with them one-on-one via Zoom, explaining your goals, asking any questions you might have, and learning more about some of the plastic surgery options that are available to you.
Something else that our patients should know is that, here at Charlotte Plastic Surgery, waiting rooms are a thing of the past. To encourage our patients to maintain social distancing, we’re asking you hang out in your car until we’re ready for you. A nurse will come grab you in the parking lot when it’s time to come in.
These are just a few of the ways in which our team is trying to adapt to the new normal… and to do so in a way that puts patient health and wellness above all else.
Find Out More About This Summer’s Top Plastic Surgery Trends
Have you wondered whether quarantine might be the right time for you to pursue a cosmetic procedure? We’d love to help you make an informed decision, or simply to tell you more about the different options that are available.
A good first step is to contact our office to set up a consultation. Again, this is something we can handle over a virtual call, so you don’t need to leave your home in order to talk with one of our surgeons. We’d be glad to talk with you about what you’re trying to achieve, to walk you through different procedures, and to ensure you’re a good candidate for a safe and successful surgery.
If you do decide to have a procedure performed here, we’ll talk with you more about the recovery, and about ways to ensure your safety and wellbeing post-op. Of course, we also have patient care coordinators to talk with you about financing options.
Contact Us at Charlotte Plastic Surgery
We’ve been pretty busy this summer, but we’ve still got plenty of room in our schedule to talk with you about ways to change your physical appearance, whether that means a nose job, a breast augmentation, or something else altogether.
Charlotte Plastic Surgery has a reputation for excellence in all that we do, and for always prioritizing the safety of our patients. During a pandemic, that’s even more critical than ever. Find out more by contacting our office at your next convenience.
