Fake six-packs plus 10 other trending plastic surgeries
Key Takeaways
Women are still more likely to augment their breasts than reduce them, but rates of breast reduction surgery have spiked dramatically in recent years.
Plastic surgery is gaining steady traction among men, especially younger men.
Staying ahead of plastic surgery trends helps physicians of all types set realistic goals while enhancing satisfaction among their patients.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, cosmetic procedures for the face, body, and breast had a 19% increase between 2019 and 2022.[] While the rate of some surgeries remained pretty stable, others shifted by over 50%. As physicians, it’s important for us to stay informed about the evolving landscape of cosmetic surgery, which can ultimately lead to improved patient care and satisfaction.
Regarding recent surgical trends, here’s what has changed the most—and why it matters for your patient population.
Standout plastic surgery statistics
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) and facelifts (rhytidectomy) are by far the most common cosmetic surgeries performed on the face.[]
Usually, facial procedures are more common among Baby Boomers than younger generations. But patients under 50 are now pursuing them, too, primarily in an effort to achieve facial balance.
Chief among upwardly trending facial procedures is rhinoplasty. In the past few years, nose jobs jumped by 37%. The sharpest increase in facial procedures overall was in cheek implants (malar augmentation). In 2019, 3,295 cheek implants were recorded, but in 2022, the number was 8,238, representing a whopping 150% spike.
Another notable trend is a 54% rise in aesthetic breast reductions. This number excludes gender reassignment surgeries and male breast reduction for gynecomastia.
The analysis by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons suggests that societal shifts are responsible for the growing interest in breast reduction.[]
The past few years have brought a greater emphasis on health and fitness, leading some patients to prefer smaller breasts that make exercise easier and more comfortable. Other potential benefits of breast reduction include less back pain and skin irritation, and an easier time breathing and finding clothes that fit.
Nonetheless, breast augmentations remain the most popular body-based procedure, continuing to outpace the number of breast reductions—by over 227,000 in 2022.[]
Trends for men
Men no longer face the same stigmas as before when going under the knife for elective procedures.[] Additionally, today’s men aren’t immune to the beauty standards perpetuated on social media, particularly those in younger cohorts between 18 and 34.
As a result, men’s interest in surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures has steadily risen for the past decade. The rate of cosmetic procedures in men grew by 207% between 2019 and 2022.[]
According to 2020 data, eyelid surgery, nose jobs, and cheek implants are some of the most common cosmetic procedures for men.[] Chin implants are also on the rise, with men getting 21% more of these procedures from 2019 to 2022.[] Men also opt for popular body modifications like liposuction, and lower body lifts.
Six-packs are an elusive aspiration for many men, especially those who already work out but aren’t fully satisfied with the definition in their core. A procedure called abdominal etching uses targeted liposuction to carefully define these muscles, making six-packs more achievable.[]
In a more drastic measure, surgeons may also insert silicone abdominal implants.[] Although implants can produce more exaggerated results, they are also more expensive and come with additional risks. Implants may look unnatural and cause complications, especially if they shift out of position.
As with any procedure, the best results happen for those individuals committed to consistently maintaining their weight and general appearance over the long term. Ultimately, even the best cosmetic procedures don’t age well unless the patients who have them do, too.
What this means for you
Keeping up with plastic surgery trends can help physicians improve patient satisfaction (and set realistic expectations) post-surgery. Interest in cosmetic treatments will probably never decrease, but it does change to reflect the personal priorities and perspectives of each new generation.