Americans underwent a record number of lip procedures in 2015, no doubt spurred by social media and selfies, according to the plastic surgeons who keep score.
Lip implant procedures jumped by double-digits in 2015, according to
American Society of Plastic Surgeons data. The organization said the increase was spread across the country, showing procedure increases in every region of the nation.
Botox and Dysport injections along with soft tissue fillers helped lead to the explosion of lip procedures, totaling nearly 9.2 million injection procedures in 2015.
"We live in the age of the selfie, and because we see images of ourselves almost constantly on social media, we're much more aware of how our lips look," said Dr. David H. Song, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeon.
"The good thing about lip procedures is that you have several options. You can change the shape of your lips as subtly as you want."
Plastic surgery can have both positive and negative aspects, says The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's
Office of Women's Health website.
"It's important to remember that cosmetic surgery can create both physical changes and changes in self-esteem. But if you are seeking surgery with the hope of influencing a change in someone other than yourself, you might end up disappointed."
Plastic surgeons say the best patients fall in two categories: one with a strong self-image who is bothered by a physical characteristic that he or she would like to improve or change, and one who has a physical defect or cosmetic flaw that has diminished his or her self-esteem over time.
"Lips are an easy place for people to start," said Dr. Robert Houser, a plastic surgeon in the Columbus, Ohio suburb of Westerville. "A patient may not be ready to commit to something as dramatic as a facelift or eyelid surgery, but there are a variety of ways you can change the shape of your lips."
A cosmetic dentistry firm in the United Kingdom claims that selfies have even changed the type of smiles patients are asking for, said
CNBC
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