According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2005 was a year for significant growth in the number of patients with ethnic backgrounds seeking cosmetic surgery. Evaluating plastic surgery statistics for Hispanics, African Americans, and Asians, 2005 experienced a 65 percent increase to 2.3 million patients undergoing surgery to enhance their looks and stifle the signs of aging.

“We are seeing a significant increase in the number of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures across all ethnic groups,” commented Bruce Cunningham, president of the ASPS. “The increase can be, in large part attributed to greater exposure to the benefits of plastic surgery, a growing acceptance of the specialty, and increased economic power within these ethnic groups.”

According to the Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons database, the first and most thorough plastic surgery census, Hispanics comprised the largest group of the ethnic population undergoing cosmetic treatment. With 921,000 recorded procedures, the most commonly sought cosmetic procedures among Hispanics were rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), breast augmentation, and liposuction.

The number of African Americans undergoing plastic surgery also increased an estimated 67 percent this year with 769,000 procedures. The most popular surgeries received by African Americans were breast reductions, rhinoplasty and liposuction; comprising approximately eight percent of all plastic surgeries in 2005.

Lastly, the Asian community also saw a significant increase in the number of cosmetic surgery treatments in 2005, with rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, and breast enhancement most popularly requested. Asians comprised approximately four percent of all plastic surgeries occurring in 2005, with an estimated 437,000 procedures.

Minimally invasive cosmetic treatments have also increased in popularity among the ethnic population. The most popular were Botox, chemical peel treatments and wrinkle fillers.

Statistics regarding plastic surgery and cosmetic treatment procedures were compiled by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons using the Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS) database. Over 17,000 board-certified plastic surgeons were surveyed to acquire these statistics, making it most comprehensive survey available on plastic surgery in the United States.