The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) released its 2024 Global Survey on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures on June 19, 2025, at the ISAPS Olympiad World Congress in Singapore. The data — drawn from 2,975 participating board-certified plastic surgeons across 32 countries — records approximately 38 million aesthetic procedures performed worldwide in 2024: 17.4 million surgical and 20.5 million non-surgical. Over the four-year span from 2020 to 2024, total procedure volume grew 42.5%.
The headline finding is a shift in the surgical hierarchy. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) overtook liposuction as the most common surgical procedure globally for the first time since ISAPS began tracking procedure data — a change driven by a 13.4% increase in eyelid surgery and a 12.6% decline in liposuction. The non-surgical landscape remains dominated by injectables: botulinum toxin (7.9 million procedures) and hyaluronic acid fillers (6.3 million procedures) together account for 93% of all injectable procedures worldwide.
This article breaks down the 2024 ISAPS data by procedure category, geographic region, sex, and age group — and explains what the trends mean for patients considering aesthetic treatments and for providers planning service lines.
The data source
ISAPS is the only organization that tracks global aesthetic procedure volume on a country-by-country basis. The annual survey collects data from board-certified plastic surgeons on the number and type of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures performed. The 2024 survey received responses from 2,975 surgeons in 32 countries, including 700 US-based surgeons.
Important limitations to understand before interpreting the data:
- ISAPS captures only board-certified plastic surgeons. Dermatologists, facial plastic surgeons, oculoplastic surgeons, and non-physician injectors (med spas, nurse injectors) are excluded. The actual global procedure volume is substantially higher.
- Survey methodology and response rates vary by country. Countries with higher response rates produce more reliable estimates; countries with low response rates rely more heavily on statistical modeling.
- "Procedure" counts are not "patient" counts. A single patient receiving botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid filler, and chemical peel in one visit generates three procedure counts.
- Year-over-year comparisons should be interpreted cautiously. The survey expanded its methodology and added new procedure categories (scar revision, buccal fat removal, Mommy Makeover) in the 2024 edition, which can affect apparent changes in volume.
Total procedure volume: 2020 to 2024
| Metric | 2020 | 2023 | 2024 | 4-year change (2020–2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total procedures | ~26.7M | 34.9M | ~38M | +42.5% |
| Surgical | ~10.5M | 15.8M | 17.4M | — |
| Non-surgical | ~16.2M | 19.1M | 20.5M | — |
The 42.5% four-year growth partly reflects recovery from the COVID-19 downturn in 2020, when elective procedure volumes dropped significantly worldwide. But the growth trajectory is real: even comparing 2023 to 2024, total volume increased by approximately 8.9%, with surgical procedures growing faster than non-surgical.
Top surgical procedures worldwide
| Rank | Procedure | 2024 volume | Change vs. 2023 | Change vs. 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) | 2,115,360 | +13.4% | +72.6% |
| 2 | Liposuction | 2,087,189 | −12.6% | +36.8% |
| 3 | Breast augmentation | 1,658,615 | −17.5% | +2.1% |
| 4 | Scar revision | 1,156,446 | N/A (new category) | N/A |
| 5 | Rhinoplasty | 1,083,631 | −9.8% | +27.1% |
| 6 | Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) | 1,036,236 | −15.3% | +35.4% |
| 7 | Fat grafting — face | 947,007 | +19.2% | +83.6% |
Three patterns stand out:
Eyelid surgery is the new global #1. At 2.1 million procedures, blepharoplasty overtook liposuction for the first time. The 72.6% increase since 2020 reflects growing demand in East Asia (where double-eyelid surgery is among the most common aesthetic procedures), improved techniques that reduce downtime, and broader cultural acceptance of periorbital rejuvenation across age groups.
Liposuction declined 12.6% year-over-year. The likely explanation is GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide), which have enabled significant non-surgical weight loss for millions of patients worldwide. Patients who previously would have sought liposuction for fat reduction may instead be achieving contour changes through medication. That said, liposuction remains the top surgical procedure for women specifically — the global decline is driven by a drop in overall volume, not by a collapse in demand.
Fat grafting to the face grew 19.2%. At 947,007 procedures, facial fat transfer is now approaching 1 million annual procedures globally. This reflects a shift away from synthetic fillers toward autologous fat for facial volumization — driven by safety concerns about permanent fillers, the natural appearance of transferred fat, and growing provider comfort with the technique.
Breast and body procedures declined
Breast procedures totaled 3.9 million (−14.1% vs. 2023), and body and extremities procedures totaled 6 million (−14.8%). Breast augmentation alone dropped 17.5%. The declines are notable because they come after years of growth in breast augmentation and body contouring. Contributing factors likely include:
- Ongoing patient awareness of breast implant–associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and breast implant illness (BII) narratives
- Shift toward fat-graft breast augmentation as an alternative to implants
- GLP-1–driven weight loss reducing the pool of patients seeking surgical body contouring (or shifting them to different procedures like skin removal)
Top non-surgical procedures worldwide
| Rank | Procedure | 2024 volume | Change vs. 2023 | Change vs. 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Botulinum toxin | 7,887,955 | −17.4% | +26.9% |
| 2 | Hyaluronic acid fillers | 6,338,184 | +5.2% | +56.4% |
| 3 | Hair removal | 1,668,291 | — | — |
| 4 | Non-surgical skin tightening | 1,239,306 | +38.9% | N/A |
| 5 | Chemical peel | 820,225 | +33.3% | +100.5% |
The non-surgical data tell a nuanced story:
Botulinum toxin declined 17.4% year-over-year — but is still far ahead of everything else. The 2023 figure (9.5 million) was likely inflated by post-COVID catch-up demand and expanded survey methodology. The 2024 number (7.9 million) may be a more accurate baseline. Since 2020, botulinum toxin procedures have still grown 26.9%.
Hyaluronic acid fillers grew 5.2% to 6.3 million. This is the opposite direction from botulinum toxin — filler procedures continue to expand, driven by new product formulations (Juvéderm Vycross, Restylane XpresHA, RHA Collection) and growing provider training in anatomic filler placement.
Non-surgical skin tightening grew 38.9%. At 1.24 million procedures, this category (ultrasound, radiofrequency, and combination devices like Thermage, Ultherapy, and Sofwave) is one of the fastest-growing non-surgical segments. It reflects patient demand for no-downtime facial rejuvenation and continued device innovation.
Chemical peels doubled since 2020. The 100.5% increase reflects growing provider comfort with medical-grade chemical peels, expanding formulations, and patient demand for affordable skin-rejuvenation options that do not require device capital.
Injectable procedures by type
| Injectable type | 2024 volume | Change vs. 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Botulinum toxin | 7,887,955 | −17.4% |
| Hyaluronic acid | 6,338,184 | +5.2% |
| Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) | 418,173 | +13.7% |
| Poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra) | 642,566 | N/A |
| Total injectables | 15,286,878 | −8.1% |
Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) appears as a tracked category for the first time in the 2024 survey at 642,566 procedures — a 430.7% increase over 2020, though the baseline was small. The growth reflects the biostimulator trend: products that stimulate collagen production rather than simply filling space.
Geographic breakdown
Top countries by total procedure volume
| Country | Total procedures | Surgical | Non-surgical |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 6,165,173 | ~2.1M | ~4.0M |
| Brazil | 3,100,000 | 2,300,000 | ~800K |
| Japan | ~1,600,000 | — | — |
The United States leads in total volume, driven overwhelmingly by non-surgical procedures: 1.79 million botulinum toxin procedures and 1.23 million hyaluronic acid filler procedures account for the majority of US volume. Brazil leads in surgical procedures specifically — reflecting a cultural emphasis on body contouring and a robust plastic surgery infrastructure.
Asia collectively performed over 13.7 million procedures in 2024, with Japan and South Korea among the top countries. South Korea has one of the highest per-capita procedure rates globally at 8.90 procedures per 1,000 residents, driven by strong domestic demand for facial procedures and a mature medical tourism industry.
Medical tourism
The ISAPS survey tracks the proportion of foreign patients by country. The countries seeing the highest proportion of international patients are:
- Tunisia
- United Arab Emirates
- Colombia
- Türkiye
These countries combine competitive pricing, established surgical infrastructure, and government support for medical tourism. For patients considering travel for aesthetic procedures, the ISAPS data provide a starting point — but they do not capture outcomes, safety records, or regulatory standards, which are the more important factors in choosing where to have a procedure performed.
Sex and age breakdown
By sex
Women account for approximately 85.5% of aesthetic procedure patients worldwide; men account for 14.5%.
Top surgical procedures for women:
- Liposuction (1,792,323)
- Eyelid surgery
- Breast augmentation
Top surgical procedures for men:
- Eyelid surgery
- Gynecomastia correction
- Scar revision
Top non-surgical procedure for both sexes: Botulinum toxin, by a wide margin.
The male aesthetic market is growing, driven by social media visibility, decreasing stigma, and targeted marketing by clinics and device manufacturers. Eyelid surgery's dominance among men reflects the high visibility of periorbital aging and the relatively low downtime of the procedure.
By age group
| Age group | Dominant procedures |
|---|---|
| ≤17 | Rhinoplasty (most common) |
| 18–34 | Breast augmentation (54% of total), rhinoplasty (60.1%), external genital surgery (48.4%) |
| 35–50 | Botulinum toxin (47.0% of total) |
| All adults | Botulinum toxin dominates |
The 18–34 cohort drives breast augmentation and rhinoplasty volume — procedures that are often one-time surgical events. The 35–50 cohort drives injectable volume — procedures that recur every 3–6 months and generate compounding revenue for practices.
What this means for patients
Volume does not equal safety. The fact that 38 million aesthetic procedures were performed globally in 2024 does not mean all were performed safely, by qualified providers, or with appropriate patient selection. The ISAPS data captures board-certified plastic surgeons only; in many countries, a significant share of aesthetic procedures — particularly injectables — is performed by non-surgeons or unlicensed practitioners.
Geographic patterns reflect culture, not quality. Brazil's dominance in body contouring, South Korea's dominance in facial procedures, and the United States' dominance in injectables reflect cultural preferences and market structures. The best country for a procedure is the one where you have access to a qualified provider you trust — not the one with the highest per-capita rate.
The shift toward facial procedures is real. Eyelid surgery overtaking liposuction, fat grafting growing 19.2%, and non-surgical skin tightening growing 38.9% all point in the same direction: global demand is shifting toward facial rejuvenation. For patients, this means the provider landscape for facial procedures is becoming more competitive — which can be good for quality and pricing, but also means more providers with variable training levels are entering the facial aesthetics space.
GLP-1 medications are changing the body-contouring landscape. If you have lost significant weight on semaglutide or tirzepatide and are now considering body contouring, you are part of a large and growing patient cohort. The 12.6% decline in liposuction does not mean liposuction is going away — it means the patient profile is changing, and providers are adjusting their offerings accordingly.
What this means for providers
Injectables remain the revenue engine globally. Botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid fillers together account for over 14 million procedures — nearly four times the total volume of the top five surgical procedures combined. Practices that have not built robust injectable programs are missing where the majority of patient demand concentrates.
Facial procedures are the growth story. Face and head procedures grew 4.3% year-over-year, with eyelid surgery (+13.4%), fat grafting (+19.2%), and non-surgical skin tightening (+38.9%) leading. Body and breast procedures declined. The strategic implication is clear: investment in facial treatment capabilities — surgical, injectable, and energy-based — aligns with global demand trends.
The body-contouring market is not disappearing; it is evolving. Liposuction volume declined, but abdominoplasty and post-weight-loss contouring are still substantial. The patient pool is shifting from primary fat reduction to skin excision and contour refinement after GLP-1–mediated weight loss. Practices that integrate weight-loss–adjacent services (nutritional counseling, GLP-1 prescribing where in scope, post-weight-loss body contouring) are positioned for sustained demand.
Biostimulators are the injectable growth category. Poly-L-lactic acid (430.7% growth since 2020) and calcium hydroxylapatite (+13.7% year-over-year) are growing faster than hyaluronic acid fillers. The shift from passive filling (HA) to collagen stimulation (PLLA, CaHA) reflects a clinical trend that is likely to accelerate as next-generation biostimulatory products reach the market.
Medical tourism is a factor in competitive planning. If you practice in or near a country with high medical tourism volume (Tunisia, UAE, Colombia, Türkiye), international patients represent a meaningful segment. Pricing, safety protocols, and postoperative care pathways should account for patients who will return to a different country after their procedure.
Sources
- International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). Global Survey on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures 2024. Published June 19, 2025. https://www.isaps.org/media/oogpzodr/isaps-global-survey_2024.pdf
- ISAPS. Global Survey 2024: Full Report and Press Releases. https://www.isaps.org/discover/about-isaps/global-statistics/global-survey-2024-full-report-and-press-releases
- ISAPS. Global Survey on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures 2023. https://www.isaps.org/media/rxnfqibn/isaps-global-survey_2023.pdf
- ISAPS. Global Survey 2023: Full Report and Press Releases. https://www.isaps.org/discover/about-isaps/global-statistics/global-survey-2023-full-report-and-press-releases
- AmSpa. ISAPS Releases 2024 Global Survey Results, Ranks Surgical and Nonsurgical Procedure Popularity. July 1, 2025. https://www.americanmedspa.org/news/isaps-releases-2024-global-survey-results-ranks-surgical-and-nonsurgical-procedure-popularity
- The Dermatology Digest. 2024 ISAPS Stats: Eyelid Surgery Named Most Popular Cosmetic Surgery Around the Globe. https://thedermdigest.com/2024-isaps-stats-eyelid-surgery-named-most-popular-cosmetic-surgery-around-the-globe
