The great boom in plastic surgery over the past decade has been largely spurned by the use of injectable treatments and lasers for aesthetic facial rejuvenation. This has arisen to a shift in the average age of patients seeking cosmetic changes with a younger age group than ever before. Recent statistics put forth by the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery confirms what most of us have known for some time…patients are getting younger.
According to the Society’s numbers, Generation Xers as defined by those 31 to 45 years of age accounted for nearly 45% of all reported procedures. Conversely, the Baby Boomers as defined by ages 51 to 64 accounted for less than 30% of all reported procedures. This is a major shift from a decade ago and throws out the historic perception of plastic surgery being for the older crowd.
With this younger patient population, it is now clear that Americans are thinking in droves about early treatment and prevention of facial aging. While facelifts and other true surgical approaches will always be around, much more effort in numbers is directed towards minimalistic techniques. Whether it is light therapies, fractional laser resurfacing, Botox, fillers or skin tuck-up procedures, people now want to embark on treatments early to allay the both the onset and the severity of the physical signs of aging.
One aspect that underlies much of these newer aesthetic facial treatments is skin rejuvenation. Besides light, laser and chemical peels, there has been a virtual explosion of topical agents. Many of these skin therapies have provided antioxidant, growth factor and even purported stem cell compositions. Women, and a few men, are investing in their skin early with the knowledge that they will need to make a continuing effort over their lifetime.
From a surgical standpoint, this newer generation is more body conscious than ever before. From breast implants, Smartlipo fat removal to mommy makeovers, women are being driven by the trends seen in the fashion world and Hollywood. Men, particularly those younger, want to have a more defined facial shape and athletic-appearing bodies.
One thing that is very clear in the shift to the younger ages is that patients are no longer seen as a one-time surgical effort, but rather more of a lifetime. What starts as Botox and skin care today may eventually become a tummy tuck or a facelift a decade later. This makes seeing patients as a concept over decades rather than an isolated surgical procedure. Patients should also see their plastic surgeon as a lifetime resource, providing suggestions and solutions to their aging concerns over their lifetime.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana