The new face of plastic surgery looks less like a senior citizen or Hollywood star and more like our Millennial and Gen Z co-workers and friends. Plastic surgeons have seen a trend toward younger clientele in recent years, and the movement is only gaining momentum.
Right now, the eldest Millennials are 40, and Generation Z refers to teens and young people in their 20s. While it’s certainly true that non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as chemical peels, laser light therapy, and even injectables are considered as common as getting your hair and nails done, you might be surprised to learn how mainstream plastic surgery is becoming.
Whether the driving factor for “no big deal” cosmetic surgery is prevention, peer pressure and social influence, or simply dwindling stigma in this “you do you” age, we’re seeing big changes in the new generation of cosmetic patients and the procedures they choose.
Not Your Grandma’s Facelift
No doubt you’ve seen classic examples of celebrity facelift results that had a not-so-natural “windswept” quality. The stereotypical facelift patient used to look like a wealthy, older man or woman who underwent a dramatic face tightening at some point in their 60s.
Unfortunately, if the only examples of blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), rhinoplasty, or facelift you’ve seen were in tabloid pages or on TV shows like Botched, your impression of what and who plastic surgery is for might not be up to date.
Thankfully, a lot has improved since facelifts were geared toward only older clients.
For example, modern techniques use a multi-layered, deep plane approach for facelifts and custom, regionally specific procedures. These allow natural-looking deep tissue lifting without visible surface tension.
With a mini facelift, plastic surgeons can home in on problem areas around the mouth and jawline where many people notice that the signs of gravity appear first.
In fact, the most common age to begin seeing jowl or neck sagging is in the 30s or early 40s. It’s no wonder then that the majority of patients going under the knife to keep ageing at bay are in this 35 to 45 age bracket.
Benefits to early facelift intervention include:
- Rapid healing
- Strong skin elasticity and collagen for improved tone
- Minimal scarring
- Lower cost
- Less dramatic results (yes, that can be a good thing!)
There is a limit to how much injectable fillers and wrinkle toxins can enhance your appearance. Knowing when it’s time to make a comprehensive, lasting improvement can help ensure graceful, natural-looking results.
What Kind of Plastic Surgery Do Gen Zers Choose?
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) released statistics in 2019 showing that patients aged 20 to 29 accounted for roughly 16% of plastic surgeries.
Both young men and women typically chose breast enhancement or reduction (gynecomastia surgery for men). Facial procedures such as rhinoplasty and ear pinning (otoplasty) are also popular for Gen Z.
Many of these interventions can be considered body confidence-related.
Once a person has stopped growing, they might begin to consider altering the protruding ears that embarrass them, a prominent nose, or large, heavy breasts that bring discomfort and self-esteem issues.
Plastic Surgery Trends Ahead
Social media apps have been a double-edged sword for confidence and the way we view plastic surgery.
On the one hand, people can now watch countless influencers and regular people like them select their surgeon, undergo a procedure, and recover . . . with all the ups and downs on full display.
There is a window into the details of cosmetic surgery for younger people that was once shrouded in mystery. Once they realize that it is possible to improve something surgically, many people take steps toward making that change.
On the other hand, countless hours of viewing unrealistic, filtered, and phony images online can have a detrimental effect on confidence too. Filters are fake! But how many people can spot the difference anymore?
It’s essential to understand that angles and *social media magic* can skew our perception and even fuel dissatisfaction with our bodies as they are.
“You do you” is a great vibe to keep in mind, no matter what procedures you choose.
