After two years of video calls, virtual events, working from home and living in comfy clothes, the world has finally opened back up. While most people are excited to get back to a packed social calendar, the pandemic has left some of us feeling more body-conscious than we were in 2019. 

Non-surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures have seen a sizeable uptick in popularity post-pandemic, with 43% of adults in the UK now considering procedures as part of their standard beauty routine, according to a survey by RealSelf. 

While the evidence of increased demand for liposuction is largely anecdotal in the UK, several studies have been conducted in the United States that have found the same trend. In a survey conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 23% of respondents said that demand had doubled, while a further 47% said that they had seen slightly more demand. 

Why is liposuction becoming so popular?

A combination of factors has resulted in a rise in demand for cosmetic procedures, specifically liposuction. The majority of the increase in popularity can be attributed to a variety of lifestyle changes that many people have experienced over the past two years.

Strict lockdown regulations meant millions of people could no longer access their normal exercise routine. With gyms closed and fitness classes on hold, most people were limited to going for a walk or run. Coupled with being forced into a more sedentary lifestyle, a lot of people found themselves gaining weight and feeling much more self-conscious than they had in previous years. 

Loss of confidence is another big reason for people considering liposuction. It’s perfectly normal for your body to change as it ages, but not being around people for extended periods of time can make you hyper-aware of how your body looks. 

After two years at home, it’s understandable that dusting off your best brunch outfit for a catch-up with loved ones can make you feel self-conscious, leading you to want to enhance your natural looks.

It isn’t just ageing or loss of contact that’s caused us to look at ourselves differently. Before 2020 very few people had heard of Zoom, and video calls were a rare novelty. The transition to virtual meetings and video hangouts resulted in a lot of people spending more time looking at themselves than they usually would, leading them to fixate on parts of their bodies that they didn’t like. 

The camera also sits at an angle that most people aren’t used to seeing, which can make people feel more self-aware in video calls. Liposuction isn’t only used on large areas of the body like the buttocks or stomach – it can also be used in more delicate areas like the jawline, which is an area that a lot of people have become more conscious of as a result of virtual meetings.

One less obvious reason for the uptick in demand for procedures is a change in travel habits. Some people have been considering treatments for years but never had the time available to dedicate to recovery. Liposuction is a quick procedure, lasting up to 3 hours, and recovery can take from a few days up to a week which many people don’t have to spare. Reduced travel and the ability to work from home may have given people the chance to book procedures that they’ve been waiting several years for.

VASER liposuction at Hans Place

VASER Liposuction is a procedure designed to selectively remove stubborn fat cells and reshape your body using targeted ultrasound technology. VASER is a very flexible procedure that’s powerful enough to tackle large areas like the stomach, buttocks or thighs, yet also delicate enough to treat more precise areas of concern like the jawline or neck.

VASER is a minor cosmetic procedure – it takes place in a minor surgical theatre, but it doesn’t require a hospital stay or general anaesthetic, and the recovery time is minimal. The procedure takes an average of 2 hours, and recovery can take from a few days up to a week.

VASER Liposuction is an impressive procedure, renowned for its versatility and impressive before and after pictures. If you have a healthy diet and a good exercise programme but struggle to remove stubborn areas of fat, VASER could be ideal for you. The procedure can be combined with others like Renuvion to help tighten the skin around the newly sculpted area.

If you’re considering liposuction treatment, book a consultation with Dr Comins today to discuss your areas of concern and how VASER might be able to help.