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Average Age for Plastic Surgery Patients Getting Younger

Jacky Gale | July 7, 2017 | Posted in News

In 2011, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported an upward trend in the number of retirees seeking cosmetic surgeries, including facelifts, liposuction, and breast lifts. After putting in a lifetime of hard work, there’s no good reason why septuagenarians or even octogenarians shouldn’t treat themselves to better confidence—provided their health allows the surgery. But is there a minimum age at which plastic surgery should be considered?

Average age of plastic surgery patients

According to a plastic surgeon in the U.K., the average age of both female and male patients has been on a downward trend. Three years ago in the U.K., the average age of women having aesthetic procedures was 42 and the average age for men was 47. Now, this surgeon’s data suggests that the average age for women is 39, and for men, it’s 45. His theory is that a culture of Instagram and selfies has encouraged people to fight the effects of age earlier in life. Additionally, people can easily see the benefits of plastic surgery in high-profile celebrities.

Plastic surgery demographics in the U.S.

In America, there appears to be a similar trend of having plastic surgery at younger ages. During 2016, there were increases in nearly all types of plastic surgery among patients in the age groups 13-19, 20-29, and 30-39, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. By far, the most popular surgery among the youngest set of patients is rhinoplasty. Breast reduction in males is another popular choice, which makes sense considering that enlarged breast tissue in boys can cause significant psychological distress.

Among the 20-29 age group, breast augmentation was the most popular plastic surgery. In 2016, 82,042 women in this age group alone had this procedure. In the 30-39 age group, 108,513 women had breast augmentation during 2016. The second most popular procedure was liposuction, followed by rhinoplasty, tummy tucks, and breast lifts.

Factors to consider when deciding whether to have plastic surgery

Plastic surgery does not adhere to one size fits all standards. Each potential patient is evaluated individually. If you consult a surgeon, your age is one of many factors he will consider. In some cases, age and the type of procedure are closely linked. The reason why rhinoplasty is so popular among younger patients is because the nose doesn’t change after childhood. A 20-year-old who is unhappy with her nose will likely still be unhappy with it when she turns 30.

On the other hand, the breasts do change in size and shape in adolescence. Throughout a woman’s life, the breasts can change with life events, such as weight gain or loss, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Your plastic surgeon will explain all of the issues that may apply to you.

Is plastic surgery right for you?

Only a highly qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon can determine if a particular procedure is right for you, based on factors like your overall health, age, body development, and expectations for the outcome. New York City residents have long trusted Manhattan plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas Loeb because of his superb technical skill and intuitive sense of artistry. Call Dr. Loeb’s Manhattan office at 212-327-3700 to request a confidential consultation.

More “minimum age for plastic surgery” resources:

  1. The New York Times, The Golden Years, Polished With Surgery, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/health/09plastic.html
  2. Independent, Average Age of Female Plastic Surgery Patients Has Fallen to 39, Says Harley Street Surgeon, http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/plastic-surgery-women-average-age-falls-39-female-patients-harley-street-surgeon-a7816366.html
  3. American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2016 Plastic Surgery Statistics, https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/plastic-surgery-statistics
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