The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported in their 2015 annual report, Plastic Surgery Statistics, that physicians performed 15.9 million surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. Of this number, a staggering 92 percent of these procedures were performed on women. Many female patients who opted for cosmetic surgery or minimally invasive cosmetic procedures often chose a female provider for their treatment and care.
In addition to women who decide to go under the knife or needle, there is an additional 90 percent of women who reported they were unhappy with their appearance or a specific body part. Recent studies also show that one in five women have considered and researched a cosmetic surgery procedure, such as breast augmentation or a facelift in the last 12 months. Additionally, 24 percent of women have considered minimally invasive or nonsurgical cosmetic procedures like fillers, Botox or microdermabrasion.
Female patients seeking cosmetic corrections or surgery typically feel negative about their body and themselves. Embarrassment, lack of confidence and negative self-esteem may cause them to avoid social situations, dating relationships and leadership roles. Cosmetic surgery or procedures from a compassionate and caring physician boost patient self-esteem and confidence.
As a result of so many women considering cosmetic surgery or cosmetic procedure, more female doctors are looking to supply cosmetic services. By adding these specialties and offerings to patients, physicians can meet the specialty needs of their patients. Additionally, more women are opting to become doctors due to the high demand for females as medical providers. Nationwide, the number of female physicians has increased by over 400 percent in the last 25 years. Women now make up approximately half of student enrollment in medical schools.
Many female patients want a female health care provider for cosmetic procedures. Women tend to feel that on average other women are better listeners, and this motivates them to chose a female cosmetic surgeon as their physician. A 2013 study from the University of Montreal suggests that many female patients also want female physicians because they believe that they are more empathetic and are more reassuring than male counterparts. Also, many female patients trust that a female physician can better understand their feelings of low self-esteem or negative body image, and won’t judge them negatively for their appearance. They expect that female physicians will be able to relate to their image issues because they assume the physicians themselves have probably experienced those same problems.
Another consideration reported by female patients when choosing a physician is the length of consultation times. Female physicians on average spend more time with patients during initial consultations and ask more questions regarding the patient’s health, state of mind and the reason for their visit. Female physicians also spend more time reviewing potential treatment options with their patients.
An additional factor behind choosing a female physician for many women is an increased level of communication. This goes beyond merely confirming appointment times and treatment options. It includes understanding the patient’s motivation for seeking treatment and the development of a treatment plan to achieve the patient’s desired look. Female cosmetic surgery patients report that their female doctors asked more questions regarding their desired outcomes as well.
Many female patients also prefer women to males when seeking cosmetic surgery or care because female physicians have a different standard of beauty than male physicians. Female patients may believe that male providers have a standard of beauty that could influence their treatment or they may fear a male provider will push additional surgeries, products or services to achieve a certain look. Also, many women may be simply embarrassed about their perceived body issues, and do not want to be seen by a male provider.
Some female providers pride themselves on adding a feminine touch to cosmetic procedures. “I strive to put patients at ease and offer an experience that informs and educates so that they feel their best about the procedure they’re seeking – and themselves,” says Dr. Mayli Davis, M.D.
Davis’ practice, Advanced Eyelid Surgery Center, provides patient education and a variety of aesthetic offerings for women looking to gain confidence and refresh their appearance in a patient-centered setting.
