Many physicians have noticed a drop in patients with the ongoing recession. There are much fewer paying patients going for elective surgical procedures. The hardest hit during the present downturn in economy are the cosmetic and plastic surgeons. There is a general decline in patients all over the country. While the declining numbers apply to most groups, Latinos in fact are lining up to have more cosmetic procedures than ever before. Numbers released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reveal that cosmetic procedures in minorities were up by 11 percent with more than three million procedures performed in 2008. However, cosmetic procedures in Caucasians did drop by 2 percent and have continued to drop throughout 2009. Among all ethnic groups in the US, the most significant growth in cosmetic surgery was among Hispanics.

Says President of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, “We’re seeing a rise in Hispanics opting for cosmetic procedures that coincides with the growth we’re seeing in the nation’s population,” he further adds that, “Less social stigma, as well as, advances in procedures allow patients to maintain their ethnic look. While the majority of patients continue to be Caucasian, the profile of the typical patient is changing.”

Latinos from South America have always opted for cosmetic surgery and it is believed that “siliconization” is one reason why many beauty queens come out of South America. Anecdotal reports from Hispanic women who have had cosmetic surgery indicate that they have the same ideals like their North American female counterparts- they want to look great and feel good at the same time.

One of the reasons for success of cosmetic surgery is the introduction of many minimally invasive procedures. All over the country there has been a significant increase in procedure like use of dermal fillers, facial rejuvenation with small incisions and use of Botox. The most commonly requested procedures among ethnic groups were Botox, dermal fillers and chemical peels. It should be noted that ethnic men now are fast catching up to their female colleagues and seek rhinoplasty/liposuction as their favorite cosmetic procedures.

When done well the results of chemical peels and laser skin rejuvenation can have a dramatic impact on people of all color. However, like all surgical procedures, complications do occur and can be permanent.