It’s been 30 years since the 90s and we can thank Generation Xers for just about everything cool that is being celebrated by today’s generation. Steve Madden platforms? We started that. Doc Martens? You’re welcome. Brown lip liner? Two words: Kevyn Aucoin.
Now that Generation Xers are all grown up and experiencing a stage of life some refer to as middle age (as if!), we wanted to know which treatments patients aged 40-55 are seeking the most. Here, top plastic surgeons from around the country share what procedures they’re doing the most of on the “My So-Called Life” generation.
Body Work
“In my experience the most popular procedures and treatments being requested by women in the 40 to 55-year-old demographic are: breast augmentations and lifts, tummy tucks and Mommy Makeovers. The main reasons for these specific procedural choices are because this is the age group that contains the most moms who are of an age where if they have had their children and don’t plan any more additions to their families, making breast and body surgery logically sensible. They are young enough and fit enough to still desire physical and sexual attractiveness and an active lifestyle, in general.” —San Diego plastic surgeon Joseph Grzeskiewicz, MD
“We see a lot of Gen X’ers coming in for Mommy Makeovers and breast lifts. We’re also doing a lot of eyelid rejuvenation like upper and lower blepharoplasties and fat transfers to the face for a more youthful appearance.”
—Chicago plastic surgeon Michael Horn, MD
Breasts Reshaping
“The procedure most common in women closer to 40 is breast enhancement. Today, we’re seeing more patients requesting a breast lift or reshaping, with or without an implant, than we were a decade ago. This may have a lot to do with awareness regarding what can be done, along with increased safety and a rather rapid recovery period. These women have completed their child bearing years and for the most part are simply seeking to have their breasts restored as closely as possible to pre-child bearing years.” —Pittsburgh, PA plastic surgeon Leo McCafferty, MD
Tightening and Filling
“The facial procedures they are receiving focus are fillers as well as Morpheus8 radio-frequency treatments to the lower face and submental area. Fillers, consisting primarily of hyaluronic acid products, directly address areas of volume loss and also have some degree of lifting effect of their own. Morpheus8 treatments help in remodeling fat as well as producing a skin tightening effect, far superior to other non-or minimally invasive tightening procedures of which I am familiar.” —New York plastic surgeon David Rapaport, MD
“Zoom-Lifts”
“In my practice, the most common surgeries women are having facelifts, mini-lifts and eyelid lifts. I am hearing daily, that patients on Zoom calls are seeing things that have been bothering them for many years and now they have the time to recover and still work from home. For many of them, this is an ideal opportunity and we’ve been performing a lot of ‘Zoom-lifts.’” —New York plastic surgeon Dilip Madnani, MD
Facelifts
“Facelifts usually start in mid- to late-40s, but with the average age being 55 years old. Patients in the last 15 to 20 years have become accustomed to exploring options at a younger age due to the growth of nonsurgical options. The concept of prejuvenation with preventive treatments has become extremely popular, which has opened the door for more invasive procedures in their 40s and 50s.”—Louisville, KY plastic surgeon M. Bradley Calobrace, MD
Brows and Necks
“Many of my patient have come in and saying, ‘I’m starting to look like my aunt or grandmother.’ They still feel attractive but are starting to see the wear and tear that comes with aging and their genetic patterns. It may be drooping eyebrows or aging on the neck first, so they’ll come in seeking treatments before it progresses. If the neck muscle needs to be tucked back, or the lower eye fat pad needs to be tucked back in, doing a muscle-based surgery is a key so they don’t end up looking stretched. Using lasers and fillers are also good. Younger patients now want to fix the ‘landslide’ early.”— Chicago plastic surgeon Michael Byun, MD
