It’s always incredibly interesting to see how cosmetic surgery trends in the United States compare to other parts of the world. Recently, the Telegraph in the United Kingdom wrote an intriguing article about cosmetic enhancements.
And quite frankly, the title of the article says it all: “Why are the over 55s turning to cosmetic surgery?”
Reporter, Saffron Alexander, begins the article by reviewing data from The Independent Pensions Advisory Service in Britain, otherwise known as TPAS. According to statistics, residents are enjoying their fifty-something years with purchases such as musical instruments, RVs, and telescopes to view the constellations.
However, another interesting find was cosmetic surgery spending.
Alexander turned to the United States, citing numbers from the American Society for Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). In 2014, the data collected revealed that Americans 55+ accounted for 24 percent of cosmetic procedures while those between the ages of 40 to 54 accounted for 34 percent.
Comparing the above information to The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) was informative. It appeared that plastic surgery percentages since 2013 have dropped 9 percent. The new mantra is “tweaked not tucked.”
In the article, the following BAAPS statement was included: “The demand for subtle, understated anti-aging procedures such as eyelid surgery, facelifts, and fat transfer remain largely unchanged, while more ‘conspicuous’ treatments such as tummy tucks and nose jobs are dropping dramatically.”
Alexander interviewed plastic surgeon and member of BAAPS, Naveen Cavale, who shared that this trend is more obvious for those over the age of 55.
“There has been a slight rise in the number of people aged 55 or older who are opting for cosmetic surgery. This could partly be because of the new financial freedoms they’re enjoying, but also the fact cosmetic surgery is no longer a taboo in society,” she said. Cavale continued, “It’s also much more affordable and accessible for the average person. The procedures we’re seeing most among the over 55s are things that contribute to facial rejuvenation. We’re seeing them opt for non-surgical procedures like fillers or Botox and other procedures such as facelifts or eyelid correction.”
Here in the United States, facial rejuvenation by way of lower limited facelifts, temporal brow lifts, eyelid surgery and cosmetic injections such as Juvederm and Botox are in the lead.
Most plastic surgeons will agree with Cavale that those who choose facial rejuvenation procedures are in a different demographic as compared to patients in their twenties and thirties.
The most telling information in this published article is that those over 55 who seek a cosmetic surgery procedure do so not to alter their facial features to turn back the clock decades, but rather the yearning to look “less tired” and refreshed is key.
While Cavale succinctly conveyed that patients want to “look better, not younger,” many would agree with this while also adding that any facial rejuvenation being performed affords natural looking results for the most optimal patient satisfaction.
