02 Jan The results are in!
Latest trends in facial plastic surgery
The survey results are in! According to facial plastic surgeons of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the top three trends in 2015 were requests for natural-looking rhinoplasty results (74 percent), combined surgical and non-surgical procedures (72 percent), and eyelid procedures to look less tired (71 percent). More than half of the surgeons also saw a rise in patients asking to get their cheekbones back (56 percent) and people turning to cosmetic procedures to remain competitive in the workforce (51 percent).
BOTOX® (Allergan), along with Dysport® (Galderma) and Xeomin® (Merz), remains the most popular minimally invasive procedure for both men and women, followed by hyaluronic acid fillers. As for surgical trends, rhinoplasty leads the way again, followed by blepharoplasty and facelifts.
New this year, more young adults and teens are opting for aesthetic procedures. Sixty-four percent of surgeons surveyed saw an increase in cosmetic surgery or injectable treatments in patients under age 30. While young and impressionable, the more they are inundated with celebrity images via social media, the more they want to replicate the results. Additionally, the prevalence of non-invasive procedures is making it more appealing for younger patients to try aesthetic enhancements before aging is even a concern.
The influence of celebrities and selfies on facial plastic surgery is not just a Gen X movement. Patients of all ages are becoming desensitized to facial plastic surgery as more celebrities come clean about their cosmetic tweaks. Having a little “work done” has become less taboo. In fact, 82 percent of surveyed surgeons reported that celebrities were a major influence in their patients’ decisions to have surgery last year. Daily deal aggregators, e.g., Groupon, also stimulate consumers to try treatments.
Each year, facial plastic surgeons report seeing a more educated consumer. This is due to the wealth of information available to patients on the Internet from authoritative sources and knowledgeable media. This has also led them to be savvier about choosing a qualified surgeon. Not surprisingly, the survey found that the top concern of patients is finding the right practitioner whom they can trust, followed at quite a distance by concerns for the costs and visible results. Pain and discomfort was of the least concern, perhaps due to improved methods of topical anesthesia and more minimally invasive treatment options.
What are the projections for 2016? Since the economy continues to improve, along with increased consumer awareness and a growing comfort level with the safety and predictability of cosmetic treatments, the demand for facial cosmetic procedures will most likely continue to expand. Facial plastic surgeons agree that the biggest trend for the future of facial plastic surgery is more emphasis on early maintenance starting in the 20s and 30s to avoid more complicated procedures and delay the need for cosmetic surgery down the road. Contact Dr. Edds for more information about these treatments or procedures.