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

David Liao; Mark Lee; Andre Shomorony; Rachel Weitzman; Anthony P Sclafani

doi:10.1002/lary.31753

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

Laryngoscope. 2024 Sep 12. doi: 10.1002/lary.31753. Online ahead of print.

Authors

David Liao¹, Mark Lee¹, Andre Shomorony¹, Rachel Weitzman¹, Anthony P Sclafani¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, U.S.A.

PMID: 39263865
DOI: 10.1002/lary.31753

Abstract

Objective: To understand post-pandemic interest in plastic surgery procedures via Joinpoint analysis of Google Trends search data.

Methods: Google Trends was used to quantify search volumes from January 2019-December 2022 for select cosmetic face and body procedures in the United States. A keyword analytic tool (Keywords Everywhere) extracted absolute search volumes (average monthly searches). Joinpoint analysis assessed search trends over time reported as monthly percentage change (MPC).

Results: All procedures queried, including a non-cosmetic control (cataract surgery), demonstrated expected declines at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Blepharoplasty, face lift, neck lift, and Botox demonstrated statistically significant increase in search volumes that remained elevated relative to pre-pandemic levels. Rhinoplasty, fillers, and abdominoplasty interest increased initially followed by return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022. The remainder of search terms did not show a clear temporal associated with COVID-19 lockdowns.

Conclusion: The "Zoom Boom" appears to be a real phenomenon reflected by sustained increase in public interest in relation to facial plastic procedures.

Level of evidence: NA Laryngoscope, 2024.

Keywords: COVID‐19; Google Trends; Joinpoint; Zoom Boom; facial plastic surgery.