AAFPRS REVEALS NEW STATISTICS AND TRENDS IN FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY

From 'Ozempic Face' to Facelifts, Fat Grafting, Male Procedures, and Regenerative Medicine

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), the world's largest association of facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons, has released its highly anticipated 2024 annual survey outcomes, uncovering the most influential trends transforming the aesthetics industry. From the rise of younger patients opting for facelifts to an ongoing boom in male cosmetic surgeries, the survey underscores how advancements in medicine, evolving societal norms, and cultural influences are fueling a growing demand for facial plastic surgery.

While GLP-1s Shrink Waistlines, Facial Plastic Surgeons are Shaping the Rest

GLP-1 medications for weight loss, like Ozempic and Wegovy, are significantly transforming the field of facial plastic surgery. "While these drugs are highly effective at achieving rapid weight loss, they often result in issues like volume loss and sagging skin," notes Dr. Patrick Byrne, an internationally recognized board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon—and president of the AAFPRS. "As a result, more patients are turning to facial plastic surgery to address these aesthetic concerns." It's no surprise that nearly half of AAFPRS facial plastic surgeons have observed a noticeable rise in patients seeking procedures to mitigate the cosmetic effects of these medications.

Facial plastic surgeons have reported a 50 percent rise in the average number of fat grafting procedures performed over the past year, a trend likely fueled by patients addressing "Ozempic Face" and aiming to restore lost volume while enhancing facial contours. Additionally, one in four surgeons anticipate that GLP-1 medications will drive a growing demand for non-surgical treatments, such as injectable fillers and skin tightening procedures, as patients seek less invasive options to manage these aesthetic changes.

In response to the skyrocketing popularity of GLP-1 medications, 10 percent of AAFPRS members have started personally prescribing them—a figure that is anticipated to grow in the coming years.

The Top Procedures of 2024
Consistent with the past five years, rhinoplasties (commonly referred to as "nose jobs"), facelifts (including partial facelifts), and blepharoplasties ("eye lifts") remained the top three surgical procedures in 2024, with rhinoplasty continuing to be the most frequently requested surgery. Notably, about 80 percent of AAFPRS members report that more than 10 percent of patients seeking rhinoplasties are seeking revisions of previous surgeries.

Facelifts, a staple in facial rejuvenation, maintain their popularity with nearly 90 percent of AAFPRS members performing them each year. Of note, facelift patients are trending younger, with patients aged 35-55 rising from as low as 26 percent to as high as 32 percent in recent years. A total of 67 percent of facial plastic surgeons agree that the average age of facelift patients is likely to trend younger.

However, minimally invasive procedures continue to dominate, favored for their ability to provide instant results with minimal downtime. These treatments account for 80 percent of the total number of treatments. Neurotoxins (like Botox) and dermal fillers remain the go-to treatments, with 90 percent of surgeons performing these procedures regularly.

Menopause Makeovers: The Rise of Facial Rejuvenation Treatments for Baby Boomers and Gen X Women
Hormonal changes during menopause significantly impact the skin and facial structure, leading to thinner skin, sagging around the eyes, and weakened facial bones. These changes often result in drooping brows, looser eyelids, and the development of jowls. In response, more women are turning to both surgical and non-surgical treatments to combat the effects of menopause.

A total of 28 percent of AAFPRS members agree that patients seeking treatments reference symptoms of perimenopause- and menopause-related concerns as a reason for consultation, highlighting a growing trend in facial rejuvenation during this transformative phase of life.

"Soft tissue fillers, especially biostimulatory fillers, can help replace collagen stores from the inside out and outside in, which can be helpful for women experiencing a drop in collagen levels, leading to wrinkles and fine lines," says Dr. Byrne. "The growing conversation around menopause and aesthetics marks a significant shift in how women approach this life stage, empowering them with the knowledge and resources to embrace and celebrate it with confidence."

MAN-esthetics: A Growing Movement
While women remain the primary demographic for plastic surgery, men are increasingly seeking cosmetic procedures, with 92 percent of AAFPRS surgeons reporting male patients in their practice, with blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty and facelifts being the most common surgeries. Notably, hair transplantation stands out as the only procedure where men significantly outnumber women, reflecting a strong desire to address hair loss and maintain a youthful appearance.

"Non-surgical treatments continue to gain traction among men, especially neurotoxins like Botox, which are increasingly sought after by those striving to look refreshed, reduce signs of aging, and preserve a competitive advantage in both professional and social settings," observes Dr. Byrne. In fact, just like their female counterparts, neurotoxins, fillers and skin treatments remain the top three non-surgical procedures among men. This trend highlights the growing acceptance of aesthetic treatments among men and their changing approach to self-care.

Regenerative Medicine: The Future of Aesthetics
One of the most exciting trends highlighted in the survey is the rise of regenerative medicine, with 57 percent of AAFPRS members forecasting it as a major area of innovation in the aesthetic field. Dr. Byrne states, "Treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and exosome-based therapies are gaining traction, providing patients with minimally invasive options that are intended to target the cellular level to rejuvenate and repair skin." Exosome therapies, in particular, are attracting significant attention, with one-in-four AAFPRS surgeons predicting they will play a pivotal role in the future of aesthetic medicine, enhancing outcomes and improving patient satisfaction.

In a World of Quick Fixes, Expertise Should Be Your Top Priority
As the popularity of facial plastic surgery grows, fueled in part by the constant presence of cosmetic procedures on social media, it's essential for patients to do their due diligence. Steve Jurich, CEO and Executive Vice President of the AAFPRS advises, "The best way to maximize satisfaction with any facial rejuvenation procedure is to choose a qualified facial plastic surgeon. Always select a surgeon specifically trained in procedures of the face, head, and neck and make sure the physician is qualified, experienced and board-certified in the procedure you want."

According to this survey, with procedures becoming more accessible, the demand for skilled facial plastic surgeons is at an all-time high, making it more important than ever to rely on the expertise of AAFPRS members, who represent the gold standard in the field. According to 30 percent of members, finding the right surgeon is one of the top concerns that their patients have, along with cost and recovery time.

The 2024 AAFPRS annual member survey was conducted in December 2024 by ACUPOLL Precision Research, Inc. through an online survey from a select group of the organization's members.

ABOUT THE AAFPRS:
The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is the world's largest specialty association for facial plastic surgery. It represents more than 2,200 facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons throughout the world. The AAFPRS is a National Medical Specialty Society of the American Medical Association (AMA) and holds official seats in both the AMA House of Delegates and the American College of Surgeons board of governors. AAFPRS members are board certified surgeons whose focus is surgery of the face, head, and neck (inclusive of Rhinoplasty and Facial Rejuvenation). More information at www.FaceMD.org.

SOURCE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FACIAL PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY