As 2022 draws to a close and 2023 is just around the corner, it’s time to take stock of the most current and upcoming plastic surgery trends. We’ll cover everything from what influences surgery trends to the waning stigma surrounding cosmetic surgeries, which procedures are most popular, and the newest surgeries on the rise.
When you’re pursuing something as significant as going under the knife, you don’t want to go with just any surgeon. At Elite Facial Plastic Surgery, we offer various surgeries tailored to meet your specific aesthetic goals.
Our staff is unique, and many of them have been patients themselves. This familiarity with the surgical process, combined with the exceptional skill of our surgeons, positions us as one of the best options for plastic surgery in the Tampa area.
When you’re ready for a thorough consultation to learn more about the available surgeries with our practice, contact us today.
Non-invasive vs. Invasive Cosmetic Surgery
Invasive cosmetic surgery typically involves anesthesia and extended recovery periods, whereas non-invasive procedures do not. Non-invasive services can include things like microblading, Botox injections, dermal fillers, laser hair removal, and chemical peels. Invasive surgeries also have longer-lasting results that do not require frequent maintenance.
One of the trends we saw in 2021 was an uptick in the use of facial fillers, or injectables, like Botox or dermal fillers. Whether that’s creating a more symmetrical nose, reducing fine lines or wrinkles, or adding volume to your chin or lips, injectables have become increasingly popular.
In 2023, trends suggest that people will move away from fillers and Botox in favor of more permanent surgical solutions. But what’s motivating people to go under the knife?
What Influences Plastic Surgery Trends?
Turning to surgery doesn’t happen in the blink of an eye. Other forces are at play regarding what’s considered aesthetically beautiful and financially worthwhile, from economic shifts to social media. Let’s explore how the external world influences how we see our bodies and what steps we may take to alter them.
Economic Shifts
Interestingly, plastic surgery as a field has stood the test of time, surviving recessions and expansions again and again. Within the industry, however, there are still ripple effects. While what procedures we invest in varies based on our aesthetic goals and disposable income, economic shifts can also influence how we spend our money on cosmetic enhancements.
For example, as the current recession continues, we can expect to see a dip in procedures that need frequent maintenance in favor of more permanent options. This shift isn’t primarily due to financial motivations and can also be because of advancements in technology and the influence of social media on beauty trends.
Technological Advancements
In the past, cosmetic surgery may have been considered a risk with uncertain results. Plastic surgery has made incredible strides with technological advancements like lasers and computer-assisted imaging.
You can now see your potential results through imaging, lasers make surgeries more precise, and you can even have virtual consultations from your home before you commit to any procedure. These advancements create more trust between patient and surgeon, making going under the knife safer and more appealing.
Social Media
Social media is often a reflection of society – what’s trending, from politics to beauty, entertainment, education, and more, are all over Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and other popular platforms. It piques your interest when your favorite influencers talk about their lip injections, breast augmentations, gender-affirming surgeries, and other procedures.
What were once very hush-hush procedures have become much more normalized through social media. The proliferation of before and after photos and videos from both doctors and patients has destigmatized getting work done. When you see someone like you who went out and got a procedure, you trust their reviews and start thinking about doing one yourself.
Zoom Boom
With the onset of the pandemic in 2020, many of us moved to remote work, seeing ourselves through the Zoom screen every day in ways we hadn’t before. From the beginning of 2020 to now, Google Trends Data shows that early 2021 saw a jump in interest compared to the average number of searches for “plastic surgery.” Working from home provided discretion during recovery, which contributed to a spike in plastic surgeries. People could recover at home and return to work without anyone knowing they’d gotten a procedure done.
Many people also saw changes in their bodies throughout the pandemic due to being stuck at home. And on top of those changes, most elective surgeries were paused during the height of the pandemic in 2020. While COVID is still ongoing, we expect to see an increase in body contouring procedures in 2023 as people seek to achieve their ideal bodies.
What Are the Most Popular Cosmetic Surgeries?
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Breast Augmentation
Due to the recession, more people may be gravitating toward breast augmentation procedures. This cosmetic surgery is less financially risky because it’s long-lasting and won’t need much maintenance after recovery. Implants can maintain their shape and integrity for ten years.
Liposuction Procedures
Liposuction and other body contouring procedures to slim parts of the body and transfer fat to add volume to different areas like the chest, butt, and more will likely be on the rise. Like breast implants, liposuction is often permanent and can be a better investment than non-invasive procedures that require continual maintenance.
Nose Reshaping (Rhinoplasty)
With the rise of injectables, many have used dermal fillers to create their ideal nose. These fillers typically only last 18 months before they must be re-upped. With rhinoplasty, you’ll have permanent results. Over time and as you age, you can use fillers to enhance your nose reshaping procedure instead of using them as your main method, which is more affordable.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
When you’ve been getting injections to reshape or lift areas on your face, you’ll soon realize that they only go so far. Injectables have limitations and can only be safely applied to specific areas, while blepharoplasty surgeries are permanent and can deliver the lift you want. Beyond those benefits, eyelid surgery combined with a brow lift can look more natural than fillers.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Cosmetic procedures like the tummy tuck are now often combined with other surgeries and new techniques to enhance results and make recovery easier. Recent trends in abdominoplasty include the use of liposuction, a mons lift, deep muscle repair, lower incision scars, avoiding drains when possible, early mobilization for better recovery, and scar minimization.
Facelift Surgeries
New developments in facelifts have led to more natural-looking results instead of that overly tight look of the past. We’re seeing younger people in their 40s pursuing these lifting procedures, which means there’s typically less skin to remove, not as much muscle tightening needed for ideal results, shorter recovery times, and less maintenance. Early 2021 saw a significant uptick in Google searches for facelift procedures which has since tapered off to pre-pandemic levels.
What is the Fastest Growing Plastic Surgery?
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BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift)
The BBL’s rise to fame is often attributed to celebrities, influencers, and photoshop making the hourglass shape the ideal. Now, there’s been a shift toward more subtle enhancements where the fat is transferred to smooth out hips and lift the butt rather than add a ton of volume to create a drastic waist-to-hip ratio. The summer of 2021 saw a rise in interest for BBL surgeries – which we may have TikTok to thank – and interest has remained higher compared to before the summer of 2021.
Gynecomastia Correction
For those looking for a more masculine, sculpted chest, Gynecomastia Correction is a day surgery that now has an enhanced recovery protocol. With virtually pain-free recovery, this surgery is also becoming more popular because you can get the chest you want with minimal scarring.
Penile Enhancement
If you want to enlarge your penis, whether by lengthening or widening, penile enhancement is a newer procedure that can help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Because it’s still experimental, psychological evaluations may be conducted to ensure that this is the right procedure for you.
Height Lengthening
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Labiaplasty Surgery
While labiaplasty can be medically necessary due to discomfort, most people pursue it for aesthetic purposes. That could look like more symmetrical or smaller labia, depending on your goals. The procedure is performed with local anesthesia with little to no scarring and a quick recovery.
Forehead Reduction
For those looking for a smaller forehead and the added bonus of a slight eyebrow and upper eyelid lift, forehead reduction surgery has become a popular option. Hairline lowering is achieved by removing a strip of skin between the hairline and the eyebrows, pulling the scalp in place to effectively reduce the size of the forehead while also lifting the eyebrows and eyelids.
Ear Pinning (Otoplasty)
With the development of cartilage-cutting or cartilage-sparing techniques, more people with concerns about the shape and placement of their ears are pursuing otoplasty. This surgical procedure is often done on children or people who have suffered injuries to correct the ear’s structure. Still, people also turn to this as a cosmetic procedure to address insecurities.
Choose Elite for All Your Plastic Surgery Needs
At Elite Facial Plastic Surgery, we stay on top of the trends to offer each patient who walks through our doors an unparalleled cosmetic experience. Our goal is to meet and exceed your aesthetic expectations, and we’ll do a comprehensive consultation before recommending the best treatment to address your individual concerns.
Contact us to learn more about our practice, plastic surgeons, and how we can make your cosmetic goals a reality.
