As our knowledge of the aging process and sun damage has increased, so, too, has our awareness of cosmetic surgery’s ability to head off those issues before they become larger concerns. It’s why more and more people are considering cosmetic surgery in their thirties and even twenties. Why wait for a fine line to deepen or a wrinkle to become more pronounced when you can erase it altogether?
So the age-old question, “At what age should I start thinking about cosmetic surgery?” is kind of a moot point now. Instead, I’d ask you, “How proactive do you want to be about maintaining, and even improving, your appearance?” Rather than a one-time, cure-all, preventative cosmetic surgery should really be viewed as a fluid process that begins early in your adulthood and evolves to meet your needs as you mature.
For a more explicit illustration of what I mean, here’s a brief look at some of the most popular ways people are using preventative cosmetic surgery and how cosmetic surgery is different at each age.
In your 20’s
People who seek out a plastic surgeon in their twenties tend to do so to help them feel more confident in their own skin. Often, that means breast augmentation. But, nose jobs and ear reshaping are also popular. Gone are the days of carrying the indelible marks of puberty with us through the rest of our lives.
In your 30’s
Many of the same procedures are performed on patients in their thirties—breast augmentation, breast lifts, and liposuction—only in much greater numbers. Tummy tucks, as a means to remedy the lingering effects of pregnancy, are also prevalent. The earliest signs of aging also begin to become apparent in our thirties. Jeuveau, also known as Newtox, is particularly effective at treating frown lines and those pesky wrinkles between your eyebrows at their onset.
In your 40’s
As our skin starts losing some of its elasticity in our forties, attention shifts to ways to pick up where nature left off, like dermal fillers, which can reduce wrinkles and fine lines, add volume to facial skin, and enhance facial contours. Fractional laser resurfacing and Ultherapy, both noninvasive procedures, are also popular facial rejuvenation treatments. Of course, our faces are rarely our only trouble spot in our forties. With our metabolisms slowing to a crawl, unwanted fat can undermine everything we do. But recent advances, like CoolSculpting, are not only effective, they’re easy. Book an appointment before heading into the office and barely break stride.
In your 50’s and beyond
Sagging skin is unavoidable once we enter our fifties. But that doesn’t mean we should grin and bear it. Yes, there will come a point when Botox and dermal fillers become less effective. It’s then that most turn to a second line of defense: a facelift, usually performed in conjunction with a neck lift and/or a brow lift. Facelifts come in a variety of types these days, but they all smooth and tighten the skin to different extents for a natural-looking, younger face.
Here’s another reason to develop a long-term relationship with a board-certified plastic surgeon: Where your attention may be focused on a specific trouble spot, your physician is always considering the impact to your entire body, both in the moment and years down the line. Seeking preventative treatment with a single surgeon allows for a continuity of care that only enhances the natural-looking results of each treatment.