The recession hit every industry hard and cosmetic surgery clinics were no exception. However, The Minneapolis Star reports that some surgeons are slowly seeing an increase in business recently. It seems that patients are saving up for different procedures over time, rather than skipping cosmetic enhancements all together.

Bryn Collins, a psychologist, underwent a face lift 10 years ago and recently opted for facial fillers, a more affordable tweak than another face lift. The procedures will help smooth out the wrinkles around her eyes and mouth, the news provider reports.

She saved the first $20 of every ATM withdrawal and stopped shopping for other accessories, until she was able to afford the $1,500, non-invasive cosmetic surgery.

"Psychologically, it's healthy for us to feel good about how we look," Collins told the news provider. "When I look in the mirror and see my grandmother's lips and all, I say, No!"

Another patient chose to carefully plan her finances, so she could save up for the cost of a breast augmentation. She explained that she was looking for a touch-up after breast-feeding her children, so she doubled her work shifts, stopped shopping and ate leftovers for lunch.

In the end, the 30-minute procedure brought Lisa from an A cup to a C cup.

Many patients seem to be saving up in the same fashion as Collins and Lisa, as clinics have started to see a gradual increase in demand for Botox injections, fillers, chemical
peels, nose jobs, breast augmentations and other procedures, after three very slow years caused by unemployment, mortgage troubles and loan problems, according to the news outlet.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery estimates that, despite the recession, overall sales of cosmetic surgeries only decreased by 2 percent, with 10 million procedures performed in 2009 alone. As the economy rebounds, the organization expects that the industry will also make a comeback.