Beauty Doc Blog

As people live longer, they want to continue to look and feel their best.  A recent plastic surgery study reveals patients for popular invasive and non-invasive cosmetic procedures are getting older.

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) and the results of its 2007 Survey Data, the average age for patients getting invasive cosmetic surgery has stepped up since 2002.  Between 2002 and 2007, the average age of patients seeking the top 10 performed procedures increased by 2 years.  The largest increase was seen in certain procedures including facelift, liposuction, forehead lift and sclerotherapy.  Another popular therapy to see a 2 year increase in age is the non-invasive procedure Botox.

The 2006 census reported baby boomers are around 28 percent of the national population.  With an ever aging popular and a large number of baby boomers, older people are looking to achieve certain physical and emotional goals through invasive cosmetic surgery procedures.  Baby boomers are between the ages of 42 and 64 years old.  The average age of people getting invasive procedures is 42.6 and non-invasive procedures is 42.4.  The top non-invasive procedure today is Botox while liposuction held the title of the top invasive cosmetic surgical procedure in the nation for the eighth year in a row.

According to AACS President, Dr. Steven Hopping, “Cosmetic surgeons are seeing anywhere between a one to three year increase in our patient’s age.  It appears as baby boomers grow older, so does our clientele.”

There has also been an increasing number of men getting cosmetic surgery.  Between 2002 and 2007, there was a 13.7 percent increase in the number of men seeking plastic surgery.  Of all patients treated in this time period, 80 percent were women and 20 percent were men.  As a further breakdown, of all the procedures done 77 percent were non-surgical and 23 percent were surgical.

In 2007, the three most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures performed were chemical peels, microdermabrasion and Botox injections.  The three cosmetic surgical procedures performed most were liposuction, blepharoplasty and sclerotherapy.  Clearly, a driving desire exists to look smoother and more youthful from head to toe regardless of age.

The popularity of cosmetic surgical procedures for a larger number of older Americans shows an increased interest in maintaining vitality and a youthful lifestyle.  Much as the baby boomers forged new ground decades ago, they continue to remain innovators by daring to improve their lives and appearances with plastic surgery.