Injectables first, surgery next

By Cassandra Charlesworth

Seems like fewer people are opting for surgery, well yes and no…instead plasticsurgery.com.au notes people are scheduling injectables before they elect the knife.

That’s their big-ticket trend for 2018 and here’s an insight into why…

Injectables first, surgery next

If 2016 was about the Kim Kardashian derriere, then 2018 is about the injectable, with this as a major more affordable ad more accessible trend.

 “More people are realising what cosmetic injections can do for their facial appearance, they will use that method for as long as they can before resorting to facelift and eyelid surgery.  We also expect an increase in combined procedures that involve surgical AND non-surgical options performed closely together in time,” plasticsurgery.com.au tipped. 

In the US where statistics are easier to come by there were a stunning 15.7 million cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures performed in 2017. That was a rise of 2% on 2016 but a sub-sector of the cosmetic industry that has ballooned 200% since 2000.

According to science publication EurekAlert the top five procedures in 2017 were:

• Botulinum Toxin Type A (7.23 million procedures, up 2% from 2016)
• Soft Tissue Fillers (2.69 million procedures, up 3% from 2016)
• Chemical Peel (1.37 million procedures, up 1% since 2016)
• Laser hair removal (1.1 million procedures, down 2% from 2016)
• Microdermabrasion (740,287 procedures, down 4% from 2016)

They also report: “more people are choosing to shape different parts of their bodies using ultrasound, radio frequency, infrared light, vacuum massage and injectable medication to reduce fat cells. Non-invasive procedures to eliminate fat and tighten the skin are gaining popularity, with the fastest growing procedure - cellulite treatments - up nearly 20% over last year”.

Who’s having cosmetic procedures?

Statistics also reflect women are turning to cosmetic procedures earlier in their lives. Last year the UK Sun reported the average age of a women of a woman going under the knife had now dropped below 40 for the first time.

“Women are now opting for cosmetic surgery by the age of 39 – down three years since 2012 when the average age was 42,” they state.

And if you thought cosmetic intervention was just the domain of women, then it’s time to think again. Men are also increasingly turning to cosmetic procedures to tighten lift and remove. In the US that’s resulted in a 327% spike in procedures between 1997 and 2015.

Their top non-surgical procedures include Botox and fillers for heavy wrinkles, and kybella to melt fat deposits under the chin. Meanwhile, in the surgery stakes it’s eyelid lifts, the removal of excess breast tissue and liposuction to recontour the abdomen.

The average age for men turning to procedures is also on the decrease, with the Sun noting it had dropped from 47 in 2012 to 45 in 2017.

Why the rise?

In what comes as little surprise, the rise in people turning to plastic surgery is being attributed to social media and the oft-dreaded selfie.

The Sun notes: “The Instagram culture is being blamed for the swift increase in younger women choosing plastic surgery for the first time” while “The rise of ‘selfies’ and photo filtering is one of the reasons for the boom in surgery amongst young patients.

“It is thought patients see how their appearance is improved by a filter on their smartphones and come to the conclusion that surgery may be able to replicate that look.

“There is also a desire to look better on social media - particularly Facebook and Instagram where so many personal pictures are shared.”

And this push to look better is not just reflected in cosmetic procedures, other trends like teeth whitening and straightening are also experiencing a boom.

So, in a society where your face is reflected back at you, not just in the wing mirror of the car but on every social profile you have, is the needle or the knife an inevitable element of aging? Or do you take comfort in the words of Silver screen star Lauren Bacall who once famously noted “I think your whole life shows on your face and you should be proud of that”.

We’d love to know your thoughts - have you or would you turn to cosmetic procedures to improve your appearance? Comment below! 

This blog is a part of a two-part series. Read the first blog, here. 

Cassandra Charlesworth is a features writer with 20 years’ journalism experience. She loves a good old-fashioned story and getting to the heart of a great yarn. She’s also a mum to three children who have encouraged her to hone some secret skills. Nimbly navigating Lego pieces left on her loungeroom floor and creating stylish Barbie attire from all manner of household objects are just a couple of credentials she’s recently added to her resume.