Skin cancer treatments ranked as the most-performed procedures (3.08 million total procedures) for the fourth year in a row, according to survey results released by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). Of them, 2.8 million procedures were for nonmelanoma skin cancers, and 206,000 were for melanomas. This finding confirms the growing incidence of skin cancer and the expertise of dermatologic surgeons in diagnosis and treatment.
Data were collected for the 2014 experience from 826 practicing members of the ASDS, with nearly 9.5 million medically necessary and cosmetic procedures performed.
Dermatologic surgeons performed 6.4 million cosmetic treatments in 2014. The top 5 cosmetic treatments were:
- Laser and light/energy-based devices: 2.06 million total procedures
- Wrinkle-relaxing injections (injectable neuromodulators): 1.74 million total procedures
- Soft-tissue fillers: 1.01 million total procedures
- Laser hair removal: 633,000 total procedures
- Chemical peels: 564,000 total procedures
Most laser and light/energy-based device treatments were reported for facial redness, followed by photorejuvenation, phototherapy, age spots, tissue tightening, laser resurfacing, acne scars, surgical scars, tattoo removal, and birthmarks.
Of the injectable neuromodulators used, nearly 1.2 million procedures were reported for onabotulinumtoxinA, followed by abobotulinumtoxinA (382,000) and incobotulinumtoxinA (175,000). The highest percentage of neuromodulator injections was reported in patients aged 46 to 50 years. Also, females (87%) received more injections than males (13%).
Soft-tissue fillers were performed the most in patients older than 55 years. Females (91%) received more treatments than males (9%).
The number of laser hair removal procedures performed in 2014 increased 27% from 2013 and 51% from 2012, emphasizing the role of dermatologists in providing safe and effective treatment.
Body sculpting procedures accounted for 208,000 total procedures, a 53% increase since 2012. The top treatments were cryolipolysis (79,000) and radiofrequency therapy (49,600).
View the full results of this survey on the ASDS Web site.