As the infamous fashion world knows, trends come and go, but when it comes to plastic surgery trends, they’re constantly changing. What was in vogue a decade ago would cause both patients and plastic surgeons to cringe today, especially with so much advancement in technology. That is why Dr. Leo Lapuerta feels it is important to always stay on top of the latest facial plastic surgery trends. Below, he reviews some of the most prominent plastic surgery trends.

Most Popular Facial Plastic Surgeries Performed in 2018

Every year, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) releases a comprehensive report that outlines how many people have undergone some of the most popular plastic surgery procedures. Since 2019 is still in progress, the most recent available statistics are from 2018. Here are the most popular facial plastic surgery procedures performed in 2018:

• 1. Rhinoplasty

There were 213,780 rhinoplasty procedures in 2018, down 2% from 2017. Rhinoplasty surgery, also known as a nose job, is a surgical procedure to change the shape, size, width, and contour of the nose.

• 2. Eyelid Surgery

There were 206,529 eyelid surgery procedures in 2018, down 1% from 2017. Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a surgery to treat droopy or tired eyes, resulting in an improved appearance around the eyes and eyelids.

Top 5 Minimally-Invasive Cosmetic Procedures Performed in 2018

The ASPS report is not limited to strictly reporting plastic surgery trends. The report also details the most popular minimally-invasive non-surgical treatments, including injectables and laser treatments. Below are the most popular minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures in 2018:

• 1. Botox®

There were 7.44 million Botox procedures in 2018, up 3% from 2017.

• 2. Injectable Fillers

There were 2.68 million injectable filler procedures in 2018, up 2% from 2017.

• 3. Facial Peel

There were 1.38 million facial peel procedures in 2018, up 1% from 2017.

• 4. Laser Hair Removal

There were 1.1 million laser hair removal procedures in 2018, down 1% from 2017.

• 5. Microdermabrasion

There were 709,413 microdermabrasion procedures in 2018, down 4% from 2017.

Body Contouring Is on the Rise

Body contouring/body sculpting is a group of procedures that are currently on the rise. Body contouring is the name given to procedures that trim away excess fat and skin to tighten various target areas of the body, resulting in a slimmer and more youthful appearance.

As cosmetic technologies and surgical techniques evolve, body contouring has become more effective, versatile, and efficient. Liposuction and breast augmentation (which can be grouped together for a mommy makeover) are two procedures that have had an extensive rise, with 12,000 more liposuctions and 4% more breast augmentations performed over 2018 than 2017. When it comes to sculpting, there has been a rise in non-surgical procedures, like using cold instruments to “freeze” or ultrasound waves to “heat” fat cells and destroy them. While these methods are growing in popularity, liposuction continues to dominate the field, as it will remove ten times more fat cells than non-invasive alternatives.

How does body contouring relate back to facial plastic surgery trends? As the body is being addressed, many surgeons will look at how changes in the body may alter overall appearance. Surgeons will look at the neck and perhaps offer neck liposuction, for example, if they are already addressing upper body augmentations.

Surgical and Non-Surgical Options Are Working Together

To experience the best results, surgeons are now suggesting that patients combine facial plastic surgery with a non-surgical facial treatment. In the past, a surgeon would suggest either facial plastic surgery or a non-surgical treatment option, or they would opt to wait until after the patient has fully recovered from facial plastic surgery before considering non-surgical procedures. That is no longer the case, as surgeons are finding it best to marry together surgical and non-surgical facial procedures to help patients get faster and more impressive results. Combining the lifts (facelift, neck lift, and brow lift) with skin-tightening techniques or a fat transfer, or eyelid surgery with the added benefits of BOTOX® or a dermal filler, help to achieve optimal results without having to go see your surgeon for multiple treatments.  

Getting Injectable Treatment Has Never Been Easier

As the statistics above show you, injectables are on the rise, with men and women flocking to plastic surgeons to reduce visible signs of aging, including smoothing out wrinkles and replacing lost volume. A big part of the appeal of injectable treatment is how simple and easy the various injectable procedures have become. Patients can be in and out of the doctor’s office in as little as 15 minutes, with immediately visible results and little to no downtime or recovery needed.

Men Are Increasingly Opting for Cosmetic Treatment

There has been a steady increase in male patients opting to undergo cosmetic treatments. Men accounted for over 13% of all cosmetic surgical procedures and 8% of all nonsurgical procedures in 2018, according to this ASPS report. That number is expected to continue to be on the rise in 2019 and 2020.

Patients Seek a More “Natural” Look

Exaggerated features are out, and a “natural” look is in. One of the biggest plastic surgery trends is patients pushing back against the artificial-looking enhancements that were popular in the past. No longer are patients seeking overfilled lips that can immediately be identified as artificial or skin pulled back so tight it looks like they are wearing a mask.

Instead, patients increasingly are seeking minor tweaks to reveal their natural beauty, and are using facial plastic surgery and other cosmetic treatments to address small problem areas in order to augment their appearance, not drastically change it.

Schedule a Plastic Surgery Consultation with Dr. Lapuerta

There is no doubt that plastic surgery trends and techniques will continue to change, so it is important to find a plastic surgeon who keeps up with the latest developments in the industry. Dr. Lapuerta, a triple-board certified plastic surgeon, is vigilant about always staying on top of the latest plastic surgery trends and equipping his on-site surgical facility with the latest technology and equipment.

Scheduling a consultation before you commit to any procedure important, as it gives you a chance to get to know your plastic surgeon, ask any questions and figure out the cost of the procedure. During a consultation, your plastic surgeon should partner with you to figure out the best way to help you reach your aesthetic goals. Dr. Lapuerta has earned an impeccable reputation in Katy, Pearland, and Houston, Texas, for his amazing surgical skill and ability to clearly communicate with patients in a down-to-earth manner. If you are interested in learning more, request a consultation with Dr. Lapuerta today.