Why Is Generation X Having More Cosmetic Procedures Than Any Other Age Group?
Generation X leads Baby Boomers and Millennials in plastic surgery procedures.
By Tatiana Bido, Aesthetic Content Manager
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As each decade goes by at warp speed, plastic surgery has become a more widely acceptable option for aesthetic improvement, even for the youngest generation. Gone are the days of waiting until your golden years to visit the plastic surgeon. For Generation Xers, whose previous trip to the cosmetic surgeon may have been for a post-adolescence nose job or breast implants, the types of procedures they’re seeking now are helping them to turn back the clock and keep up with the selfie-obsessed generation. According to statistical data released by The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) in 2014, adults between the ages of 35 and 50 account for the most cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures—more than 40 percent of all procedures performed. That adds up to more than 4.2 million procedures, beating out Baby Boomers and Millennials for all the nips, tucks and injections happening in the U.S. These are the most common plastic surgery procedures requested by Generation Xers today.
Sometimes all the diet and exercise in the world can’t get
rid of loose skin from weight fluctuation or the effects of pregnancy. More
than half (nearly 53 percent) of all abdominoplasty surgeries, or tummy tucks,
are performed on adults aged 35–50. A tummy tuck can improve sagging skin, stretch marks and even muscle separation for a more taught and toned tummy.
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Breast Lift
There’s no denying what the effects of gravity can do to
natural breasts, and with skin changes, weight gain or loss and pregnancy,
it’s no surprise that more than 50 percent of patients in this age group seek
breast lift surgery to restore their breasts to a higher, more youthful
position. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), breast
lift surgery has increased by 70 percent since 2000, outpacing breast
augmentation by two to one.
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Liposuction
Liposuction has seen a 94 percent increase in popularity
since 1997. With more than 46 percent of Gen Xers choosing this body contouring
procedure to sculpt a more ideal shape, liposuction has beat out breast
augmentation for the number-one most-requested surgical procedure. In
addition to suction-assisted liposuction, there are now even more options for
fat removal, including ultrasound-assisted, power-assisted and laser lipo to
target fat from stubborn areas.
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Breast Reduction
Gen Xers make up more than 43 percent of women
seeking breast reductions for breasts that are too large and breasts that create
medical problems like back issues, neck pain and skin rashes under the breasts.
A breast reduction can help alleviate discomfort and increase self-esteem.
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Breast Augmentation
Breast enhancement procedures used to be the most commonly
performed plastic surgeries, but have now fallen below liposuction to second
place. More than 37 percent of all breast augmentations are performed on women aged
35–50, which might seem low in comparison to the other cosmetic procedures on this list, but it
makes sense when you consider that the number-one age group having breast augmentations
are women ages 19–34. According to these numbers, it’s safe to assume that
Gen Xers would have already had their breasts done by now and are more
focused on nipping and tucking other parts of their bodies.
6/6
Eyelid Surgery
With so many people seeking plastic surgery for preventive
maintenance rather than corrective measures, it’s clear why 30 percent of people
ages 35–50 choose eyelid rejuvenation to remove excess fat and wrinkling skin and
address puffiness. Although this procedure is most popular with patients ages 51–64, eyelid surgery is a good option to delay the aging process, especially
because the fragile skin around the eyes can be one of the first areas to show
aging.
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