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Plastic Surgery Statistics Surge Among Both Baby Boomers and Millennials: What Are the Causes and What Are the Differences?

Posted in Plastic Surgery News

4 min read

While plastic surgery statistics are on the rise across the board, two specific demographics are experiencing significantly large bumps.

Baby boomers and millennials are heading to their plastic surgeons in record-high numbers, and although their overall desires are similar, they are showing interest in very different procedures.

baby boomers melenials

Why Is Plastic Surgery Gaining In Popularity?

Cosmetic improvement statistics have grown continually over the years. This is due to several factors.

First, there are more cosmetic treatments being offered. From traditional surgical procedures to injectable treatments, laser resurfacing, facials, and chemical peels, patients now have more choices than ever before, treatments that are designed to combat any skin condition or body “flaw” that ails them.

Secondly, the connotation of the words “plastic surgery” and “cosmetic treatments” has shifted significantly over recent years. These procedures are no longer regarded as taboo, and for some, it seems as though getting plastic surgery is a badge of honor. While there was once a time where plastic surgery patients went out of their way to deny the truth, many patients are now willing to share their experiences on their social media feeds and blog posts.

The universal acceptance and availability of these procedures has had (and will continue to have) a significant effect on the popularity of both plastic surgery and minimally invasive treatments.

Plastic Surgery Statistics for Baby Boomers

Baby boomers, ages 55 to 75, are one of the demographics seeing the most considerable increase. The most recent statistics have shown that almost 55,000 more cosmetic procedures were performed on patients over the age of 55 than in the previous year.

While this is partially due to a large number of men and women that are now at ages that can benefit from surgeries like facelifts and blepharoplasty, it is also because men and women in this age group are doing anything and everything they can to maintain a healthy and youthful lifestyle. People are staying active later in life; they are following healthy diets and exercising more, so it makes sense that those in this group would want their outward appearance to match their inner vitality.

What Procedures Are Increasing in Popularity for Baby Boomers?

Facelift surgery and blepharoplasty are two of the surgeries that are seeing the most significant surges in popularity. Over two-thirds of facelifts and one-half of blepharoplasties were performed on patients over the age of 55. These procedures, along with forehead lifts and the non-invasive BOTOX® Cosmetic, allow patients in this age range to restore smooth and tight facial contours.

These procedures can also help patients restore their confidence in social and professional settings.

Plastic Surgery Statistics for Millennials

Millennials are also lending a hand to the high number of cosmetic treatments. Unlike baby boomers, who are trying to hold onto their youths, many millennials are doing whatever they can to hold off the start of the aging process.

Millennials, ages 22 to 37, are also turning to cosmetic treatments for a brand new reason: to enhance their appearance and presence on social media. Millennials are the age group that had the most to do with the development and rapid rise of social media’s popularity. Therefore, it is not overly surprising that millennials want to feel confident about their representation in the movement that they did so much to create.

Last year, over 70 percent of plastic surgeons saw an increase in patients under the age of 30, and many of those patients use social media as part of the reason for their consideration.

What Procedures Are Increasing in Popularity for Millennials?

Since millennials are not showing the same extent of facial aging as baby boomers, most patients are opting for treatments that enhance the contours of the face. Many millennials are choosing rhinoplasty to enhance their facial appearance, and injectable treatments like JUVÉDERM®, BELOTERO BALANCE®, Sculptra® Aesthetic, and KYBELLA® are some of the most popular non-surgical procedures for patients among this age group. These treatments allow patients to create more defined lines that are highlighted in their selfies.

Men and women want to look their best, regardless of how old they are. And now, cosmetic procedures can benefit patients at any age.

To learn more about cosmetic treatments near you, contact North Shore Aesthetics by calling (847) 393-4770 or by filling out our online contact form.