Penis enlargement and vaginal rejuvenation less common than portrayed

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According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery's 2009 consumer survey of Less Common Cosmetic Procedures, so called "fringe" procedures, which include eyelash restoration, pectoral implants, bicep or tricep implants, calf implants, buttock implants, lip implants, penile enlargement and vaginal rejuvenation, receive a disproportionate amount of media attention considering that they are actually not only a less common procedure, but an actually rare occurrence.

Of the respondents surveyed, only 1.6% reported having one of these less common cosmetic procedure.

In fact, those procedures that seem to generate the most hype in the media such as penile enlargement and vaginal rejuvenation were poorly represented in the survey with only 2 individuals reporting to have undergone penile enlargement and zero individuals reporting to have had vaginal rejuvenation out of the 1018 surveyed. With such a small representation in the survey it is almost impossible to forecast trends in these types of procedures and the idea that these procedures are on the rise is clearly not supported by the study.

Safety and cost of the less common procedures were cited as the greatest worry by potential patients.

References

• American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery 2009 Less Common Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Survey Results, http://www.cosmeticsurgery.org/media/lcp_report_09_3.pdf