Gone are the days when plastic surgery was a commodity for the rich and famous or for women over 50. Thanks to modern technology, research, and innovation, plastic surgery procedures are safer, more diverse, and more accessible than ever. They have proven to be a life-changing resource for the young and the young at heart in achieving their physical goals.
As you journey through various stages of life, your desires and priorities are bound to change. Today, men and women of nearly every age demographic seek our Lexington plastic surgeons for a host of reasons.
Let’s look at the most sought-after procedures through the decades of life.
(Pixabay/Pexels)
Children
Plastic surgery for children? Yes, it’s a thing. For children and younger teens, plastic surgeries are typically designed to address health issues, ease psychological distress, or fix a problem that may be causing discomfort. The most popular procedure for children under ten is otoplasty, or ear pinning surgery, which corrects prominent or misshapen ears. This surgery is generally recommended for children over 5 when the cartilage in the ears has fully developed.
Teens
Fans of Little Women might remember young Amy March, who slept with a clothespin on her nose in an attempt to “up-lift the offending feature.” Little did Amy know, she shared a common dilemma. Rhinoplasty, also known as nose reshaping or a “nose job,” is the most popular plastic surgery procedure between the ages of 13 and 19. The nose reaches its full shape and size between ages 14 and 15 for girls and around age 17 for boys, and many young people choose to refine the shape of this feature to help them feel more comfortable and confident in their appearance.
Other popular surgeries for this age range include laser hair removal, ear surgery, eyelid surgery, and laser skin resurfacing.
20s
Unsurprisingly, men and women in their 20s want to look and feel their best. The focus within this demographic leans toward enhancing natural features. Rhinoplasty again takes home the gold, with a high score of 110,133 of these procedures performed on 20 to 29-year-olds in the United States in 2020. Breast augmentations snag the silver medal as the second most popular choice, and liposuction (also known as the “mommy makeover”) gets the bronze.
30s
Liposuction procedures become much more prevalent for adults ages 30-39 when their metabolism begins to slow, and many women notice the lingering physical effects of having children. Liposuction removes unwanted fat and sculpts the body for a more toned appearance. And it’s not just the domain of women. Plenty of men in their 30s get liposuction, too.
Breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, and tummy tucks were also big winners in this category.
40s
The big 4-0. Plastic surgeons see a dramatic change in the priorities and desires of patients entering this demographic, which now shift to fighting the visible effects of aging. In 2020, 106,006 eyelid surgeries were performed within this age range in the United States, compared to 13,944 within the 30-39 bracket. Patients beginning to see more noticeable signs of aging opt for this procedure, which eliminates excess fat, skin, and muscle from the eyelid area.
With an impressive 89,792 procedures performed, liposuction takes second place, and rhinoplasty settles into the third place position with 78,054 surgeries performed.
50s and Beyond
Running a neck and neck race is eyelid surgery, neck lifts, and facelifts in this age bracket, accounting for nearly 250,000 procedures annually in the United States. Other popular procedures include forehead lifts and dermabrasions. Adults in this category want to tighten and lift wrinkled, deflated, or sagging skin, making each of these treatments a great option for physical rejuvenation.
Breast lifts and reductions are also popular for women seeking a boost for sagging breasts.
Plastic surgery in Lexington from one of our local providers can be the right answer for people in every stage of life. Whether you’re seeking to improve the appearance of specific features, remove unwanted fat, or reduce the effects of aging, a board-certified plastic surgeon can help you navigate the vast array of available procedures to find one that fits your needs, goals and priorities.
We’ve pointed out some of the most popular trends, but there are many different procedures to choose from. To learn more about your options, contact our Lexington Plastic Surgery team. We’re leaders in facelifts, neck lifts, breast augmentations, and more in the Lexington and Louisville areas. We know the value of feeling happy and comfortable in your skin and are here to help you find the perfect solution, regardless of fluctuating trends.