The Biggest Plastic Surgery Trends of 2024
Get ready to lift off in 2024. Women and men are taking on gravity and winning the fight with face, eye, breast, neck, arm, thigh, and buttock lifts taking 2024 by storm. Why? The desire for natural plastic surgery results that feel refreshed versus ‘done’ is rising. The lift is the answer to this desire. Compounding the race to lift sagging skin and replenish lost collagen is the aftereffect of GLP-1, or semaglutide, weight loss. Averaging 25 pounds plus in weight loss leaves many patients with residual skin that requires surgical body contouring.
We also love that people are now openly discussing plastic surgery. Sharing experiences leads to common “water cooler” questions like, “Who did you go to?” and “Are you pleased with the results?”. Coming out in the open as a point of discussion means that more people are choosing to make their plastic surgery dreams come true. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) saw an estimated 20% increase in plastic surgery procedures since 2019.
“The shift to natural-looking results is in alignment with our style of cosmetic surgery,” shares board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Ronald Bossert, Charleston Plastic Surgery. “This fundamental aesthetic shift translates to people who said they would ‘never’ get plastic surgery asking for consultations to learn more. I take the time to listen and thoroughly set patient expectations for any surgery.”
It is a cascading effect. The decision to schedule a cosmetic procedure frequently is a catalyst for patients to consider if it is a good time to do more than one procedure. Balancing the procedures for a more aesthetically pleasing result, only going under anesthesia once, and efficiently using the time for recovery are drivers of the multi-treatment trend.
And cosmetic procedures are not just for the post-menopausal female anymore. While the menopause makeover is a genuine trend that continues to rise, many younger people have used Botox and fillers as a gateway to more advanced surgical procedures. Cosmetic plastic surgery is not just for women anymore. Men are also finding their way to tummy tucks, neck lifts, and blepharoplasty.
What can we expect to see on the horizon in 2024? We touched on the movement toward multi-procedures, the desire for more natural results, and the demographic opening to younger people and males. Here are some more compelling cosmetic plastic surgery trends at Charleston Plastic Surgery.
- Breast Reductions, Smaller Implants, and Breast Lifts
Pamela Anderson running in her red bathing suit marked an era where “more is more” in the breast surgery arena. Augmenting breasts to C+ cup sizes was all the rage until a few years ago. No longer the trend, the pendulum has fully swung back in another direction. ASPS shows a rise in breast reductions of over 50% in the past three years. “Less is now more for women seeking breast enhancements,” explains Dr. Tracy Harvey, board-certified plastic surgeon at Charleston Plastic Surgery. “The number of women deciding to reduce their breast size, remove their implants, or do a breast lift versus a breast augmentation continues to increase.”
- The Custom Mommy Makeover Surge
The desire to do more than one procedure simultaneously defines a custom Mommy-Makeover or Menopause-Makeover. The most sought-after combination of procedures by far is breast surgery and liposuction. “There is a lot we can do when combining an abdominoplasty or liposuction with a breast procedure. We can harvest fat from the tummy area and add it to the areas around the breast like the cleavage, clavicle, and upper region to create a more natural-looking breast,” says Dr. Bossert. “Fat injections can smooth over small irregularities to create less of a sharp ledge or top-heavy feel.”
The growing focus on offering combination procedures doesn’t stop at breast and abdominal procedures. The custom part of the Mommy-Makeover could also mean lifting the arms or thighs, areas that typically do not respond fully to fitness efforts to sculpt.
- Breast Lift versus Breast Augmentation
Breast lifts are becoming a very personal choice. Women seeking a breast lift are looking for breasts that reflect their lifestyle. Runners seek smaller breasts to be less painful and top-heavy. Older women fighting sagging are looking for “perky” breasts without the recovery or commitment of an augmentation. The desire to feel comfortable in one’s body, in and out of clothing, is the driver for many women seeking a breast lift.
- The Rising Demand for Body Enhancements
The demand for plastic surgery body enhancements has significantly increased into 2024. Whether it’s a desire for a more youthful appearance, a post-pregnancy makeover, or sculpting the body, individuals are turning to plastic surgery as a long-lasting solution.
This rising demand is attributed to various factors, including the advancements in surgical techniques, the growing acceptance of cosmetic procedures, and the growing number of people on GLP-1 medications like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide. With significant weight loss comes the need to rein in skin laxity. Plastic surgeons are crucial in helping patients achieve body enhancement goals safely and to their desired outcomes. Enter Body Contouring.
“Tightening up skin on the body with cosmetic plastic surgery due to the loss of 20 or more pounds is driving the desire for tummy tucks and body lifts of all kinds, shares Dr. Bossert. “In 2024, many patients have tried non-surgical body contouring procedures and found them to fall short of their goals despite the expense and frequency required.” From Mastopexy (breast lift) to tummy tucks and thigh lifts, surgical skin excision is a critical post-weight loss need. Targeted liposuction also makes an appearance in the post-weight loss scene. The weight loss from semaglutide cannot be guided and may leave pockets of fat, for which liposuction is ideal.
- Lid lifts and New Facelift Techniques
Somewhere, the memo to get your lids lifted went out. It said, “Run, don’t walk, and get your blepharoplasty now!” America has responded in kind. ASPS predicts eye lifts, or blepharoplasties, will grow even more popular in 2024. Why eye lifts? The eyes are a window to our health and well-being. Hooded eyes resulting from sagging lids can tell unwanted, inaccurate tales of tiredness. The rise in facial rejuvenation desires for a balanced and harmonious look further contributes to lid lift popularity.
The face and neck lift has changed with the rise in younger plastic surgery patients. The 40-year-old neck and jaw lift is more of a sculpt than an actual desire to lift sagging, wrinkling skin, which is common for the 60-year-old. In addition to the sculpted jawline trend, women and men must address the sagging skin issue in the face caused by weight loss. “Approaching a facelift today is a much more customized process,” shares Dr. Patrick Angelos, board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon at Charleston Plastic Surgery. “More than just the area of concern comes into play. Creating natural balanced features, addressing age-appropriate desired results, and combining targeted procedures to achieve refreshed, youthful results starts with an individualized treatment plan for each patient.”
Ozempic is currently the number one aesthetic injectable on the market. For people losing 50-plus pounds, the need for a facelift is real. The pulled and stretched taunt look is out. Adding definition and fat to the mid-face is in. Fat grafting can be an excellent way to achieve mid-face results. Overall, the trend is to “facelift light”. The full facelift is less popular, while the targeted “mini” face lifts with add-ons, such as the lid lift or fat grafting, take the stage.
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