With the growing popularity of inexpensive procedures, such as Restylane, prospective patients are learning that their appearance issues can be addressed in smaller, more financially and psychologically managable pieces.

Take Chicago area patient Laura Garcia. Over 10 years ago, her young cousin, sitting in her lap took a healthy tug on her earring, leaving her with a stretched earlobe that sagged progressively more and more over the next ten years.

Rather than let it continue or take steps to have a lengthy and involving invassive surgical procedure, she opted for going the route advocated by a growing number of plastic surgeons: restylane injections.

For years, plastic surgery has been synonymous with face lifts, nose jobs and breast enhancement. However, as trends change, plastic surgeons are focusing on smaller appearance issues and less invassive and expensive procedures, as was the case with Ms. Garcia.

In spite of the questionable economy, the plastic surgery industry reported moderate growth in the U.S. last year and the procedures that grew most were facial fillers, injectables and other non-invassive procedures. Surgeons are anticipating their patients’ needs and responding with cheaper and in many cases, safer alternatives to traditional, invassive procedures.