The number of plastic surgery procedures has skyrocketed in recent years, and according to a survey from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), there were 47 percent more procedures conducted in 2017 than in 2013. This year’s findings indicate a strong link between Millennials (now 22-37 years old) and the growing demand for cosmetic procedures.
Plastic surgeons point to the millennial generation’s fascination with social media and trends such as #glowup and #tenyearchallenge that motivate people in the 20s and 30s to seek out fillers and plastic surgery treatments. Social media photo filters allow users to look as young as they want and they turn to plastic surgery to make those photo looks come to life. Celebrities whose skin seems defy time have set the standards for beauty, and 97 percent of AAFPRS members believe that celebrities have influenced plastic surgery trends.
According to the survey, 72 percent of plastic surgeons noted an increase in cosmetic surgery or injectables in patients under the age of 30 in 2018. Overall, there was a 24 percent increase in patients under 30 seeking out cosmetic surgery or injectable procedures since 2013 (an increase from 58 to 72 percent). Rhinoplasty is the most popular procedure, and 96 percent of surgeons reported performing it in 2018. Revision surgery, or procedures done to correct poorly executed surgeries, was the second most popular with 94 percent. Eye lifts have become increasingly common to erase signs of tired eyes and 93 percent of surgeons reported giving patients eye lifts.