According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, our nation spent more than $13.5 billion on a variety of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures last year—the highest amount ever. Why; Some credit the amazing advances in medical science. Others point to the “selfie”—that narcissistic instant self-portrait that brings out every facial flaw in stark detail. For people over 50, the long-term surgical facelift remains the gold standard. But people decades younger adopt a wide range of procedures. Here are some of the most popular:
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
The doctor extracts a small amount of the patient’s blood and separates it into plasma and red blood cells in a centrifuge. The doctor then re-injects the resulting platelet-rich plasma into target areas. The technique stimulates collagen production and can plump it up to reduce the appearance of wrinkles or scars. The injection is no more painful than a standard blood test and takes less than 20 minutes.
Candidates: People who want rejuvenation without invasive cosmetic surgery or introduction of foreign substances.
Benefits: Unlike synthetic fillers, this procedure uses the patient’s natural biology to induce new cell production and collagen formation, reducing the risk of rejection, infection or allergic reaction. People usually experience results within five weeks which can last up to 18 months.
Disadvantage: The procedure is not FDA approved and has not been shown to be more effective than FDA approved fillers such as Restylane, Perlane or Juvederm.
Recovery year: It’s usually a one-time in-office procedure. It might be good to take the rest of the day off, but that’s about it.
Appreciated cost: $600 to $1,800 per treatment.
Wow factor: Younger, firmer skin in one easy process.
Neck lift (Inferior rhytidectomy)
A neck lift removes excess, sagging skin and fat and tightens and restructures the underlying muscles.
Candidates: The neck is one of the first places where signs of age start to show – think double chins, jowls, turkey neck and excess loose skin.
Benefits: The procedure restores the contours of the lower face and neck providing a more youthful and better defined appearance.
Disadvantage: Some people experience permanent numbness, tightness and skin abnormalities. Full results may take up to six months to achieve.
Recovery year: Expect to take one to two weeks off work and avoid vigorous activity for a month or more.
Appreciated cost: $4,500 and up.
Wow factor: People look slimmer and younger – without any obvious ‘work’ done.
Lip surgery
Labiaplasty reduces the size of the labia minora – flaps of skin on either side of the vaginal opening.
Candidates: Women with excessively long lips who are either ashamed of their appearance or who feel discomfort during sex and sports activities.
Benefits: Women report feeling more confident and comfortable during sex.
Disadvantage: This surgery is relatively safe. But it has minimal risk of infection and painful urination.
Recovery year: You will be sore for a few weeks and are advised to avoid sexual intercourse.
Appreciated cost: $2,000-$6,000.
Wow factor: Now you can look like Barbie too!
Dimpled plastic
Dimples make a sweet smile even sweeter. just ask Shirley Temple. When you’re born with them—it’s a gift (even though it’s actually a genetic defect). Now your plastic surgeon can make them for you. After making a tiny incision, the doctor passes a stitch through the cheek and closes it. After the suture is dissolved, a natural-looking dimple remains.
Candidates: Anyone who wants one. People with a dimple on only one cheek can use it to complete a symmetrical look.
Benefits: Bottom line—it’s all about (yes!) looking younger.
Disadvantage: As you age, these designer dimples could turn into dimples as the skin loses its elasticity. Dimple plastic also has a high failure rate.
Recovery year: The procedure only takes about 30 minutes, with local anesthesia, but swelling and bruising may last a few days.
Appreciated cost: $2,000-$5,000.
Wow factor: Carey Mulligan went through the process and smiled to get an Oscar nomination.
Lip reduction surgery
The surgeon makes a horizontal incision inside each lip. After removing excess fatty tissue, he closes the incisions.
Candidates: The surgery is especially popular among African-Americans, Asians, and Hispanics.
Benefits: The human person has his fads and fads—as arbitrary as broad and narrow ties. The craze for bee-stung lips is fading. The minute is in.
Disadvantage: Hidden or not, there will be scar tissue. This is to be expected if the operation goes well. If it doesn’t, expect uneven bumps and lumps.
Recovery year: About a week.
Cost: $2,000-$5,000.
Wow factor: The kissable quotient is just off the charts.
Kybella (Injectable Double Chin)
After your doctor injects Kybella—a synthetic fat-absorbing acid—the underlying fat cellslook at their ability to store lipids and your double chin recedes.
Candidates: Anyone who has a double chin wants to get rid of it.
Benefits: Avoids the use of liposuction or surgery.
Disadvantage: This is still a relatively new procedure in the United States.
Recovery year: Injections may cause temporary redness, swelling and bruising. Typically, treatments are spaced at monthly intervals to allow for healing. Recovery should be complete one month after the final treatment.
Appreciated cost: $1,200-$1,800 per treatment.
Wow factor: You can shed years without a double chin.
Ear pinning or reshaping (Otoplasty)
After exposing the cartilage with an incision behind the ear, the doctor reshapes it and removes any excess skin. If necessary, the ear is placed closer to the head and the incision is closed with permanent sutures.
Candidates: Anyone who is not happy with the size or shape of their ears. Benefits: Can correct a wide variety of ear imperfections with natural results.
Disadvantage: The risks are minimal. Occasionally, permanent scarring or numbness of the ear or face may occur.
Recovery year: You can resume most normal activities about a week after surgery. You will need to wear a brace for a few weeks.
Appreciated cost: $3,000-$4,000.
Wow factor: No one can ever call you Alfred E. Neuman again.
Fat grafting (autologous fat transfer)
Fat grafting (using fat from other parts of the body) is used for a number of procedures, including buttock and breast augmentation, as a filler to add volume to the face and fill in laugh lines, crow’s feet and acne scars. Fat grafting is also used to rejuvenate wrinkled hands. Men also undergo fat grafting to achieve bigger abs, shoulders, arms—even six-pack abs.
Candidates: Anyone looking for a beach body or youthful face—and a more permanent solution than temporary fillers can provide.
Benefits: This procedure uses the patient’s own tissue, so there is no risk of an allergic reaction. The results are usually natural and long lasting.
Disadvantage: Although rare, pain and swelling may occur. Unsatisfactory results may require additional procedures. The procedure is often more expensive than synthetic facial fillers.
Recovery year: Expect two weeks of limited activity. You may need to wear compression garments in the areas where the fat was removed.
Appreciated cost: This depends on the area being treated. Facial fat grafting ranges from $500 to $5,000.
Wow factor: Who doesn’t love a chubby and adorable baby face?
