Zoom Boom or Bust? Understanding Post-Pandemic Interest in Facial Plastic Surgery via Google Trends

Area of Science:

• Plastic surgery
• Cosmetic procedures
• Public health trends

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered societal behaviors and priorities.
• Increased use of video conferencing platforms may have influenced perceptions of facial appearance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze post-pandemic public interest in various plastic surgery procedures.
• To investigate the impact of the "Zoom Boom" on cosmetic surgery search trends using Google Trends data.

Main Methods:

• Google Trends data from January 2019 to December 2022 was analyzed for cosmetic and non-cosmetic procedures in the US.
• Absolute monthly search volumes were extracted using Keywords Everywhere.
• Joinpoint analysis was employed to assess temporal trends, reporting monthly percentage change (MPC).

Main Results:

• All queried procedures, including cataract surgery, initially declined during the pandemic's onset.
• Blepharoplasty, facelift, neck lift, and Botox searches significantly increased and remained elevated post-pandemic.
• Rhinoplasty, fillers, and abdominoplasty saw initial interest spikes, returning to pre-pandemic levels by late 2022.

Conclusions:

• The "Zoom Boom" is a verifiable phenomenon, evidenced by sustained public interest in facial plastic surgery.
• Facial procedures, in particular, experienced a notable and lasting increase in search interest following the pandemic.
• Search trends suggest a significant shift in consumer focus towards aesthetic facial enhancements.