Cosmetic Surgery Trends Worth Considering in 2023

In the new normal of virtual meetings in our daily work lives, we've spent hours staring at our own faces. So it's no surprise that demand for surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures is surging as women and men seek new opportunities to look and feel their best. Read on to learn more about the latest plastic surgery procedures and cosmetic trends.

Types of Cosmetic Procedures

Plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures generally fall into two categories:

• Surgical operations
• Non-surgical procedures

Surgical operations

Surgical operations are typically invasive procedures, usually involve general anesthesia, are often performed in a hospital, and frequently require a longer recovery time.

Non-surgical procedures

Non-surgical procedures are typically non-invasive, may or may not require a local anesthetic and can often be performed in a doctor's office with many procedures requiring minimal to no recovery time.

Most popular cosmetic procedures

Individual reasons for seeking cosmetic surgeries and procedures vary widely, but many patients seeking to refresh their look cite pandemic stress as a cause of premature aging. Others say they put off surgery during the pandemic and are now ready for cosmetic surgery to improve their self-esteem and confidence. Still, others are responding to what's been dubbed the “Zoom Boom," and are looking to improve things they noticed in their appearance as a result of countless hours spent on video calls.¹

Top Surgical Cosmetic Procedures

Some of the most popular surgical cosmetic procedures include:

• Liposuction
• Breast Augmentation
• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
• Mastopexy (breast lift)
• Blepharoplasty (eyelid lift)
• Breast implant removal/replacement

Top Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures²

Some of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures include:

• Neurotoxins (Botox®, Jeaveau®)
• Soft tissue dermal fillers (Juvederm®, Scultpra®)
• Non-surgical skin tightening
• Skin treatments (chemical peel, hydrofacial)
• Hair removal
• Skin treatments (combination lasers)

Most Expensive Cosmetic Procedures

Not surprisingly, some of the most popular cosmetic procedures are also the most expensive. The average costs of the top 10 surgical and non-surgical procedures according to The Aesthetic Society's national data bank are: ²

Average cost of the top 10 surgical procedures

1. Facelift: $9,127
2. Facelift combo: $8,687
3. Tummy tuck: $6,764
4. Breast reduction: $5,806
5. Rhinoplasty: $5,443
6. Calf implants: $5,026
7. Breast lift: $4,864
8. Vaginoplasty: $4,800
9. Excess skin excision: $4,758
10. Mid facelift: $4,660

Average cost of the top 10 non-surgical procedures²

1. Fat reduction: $1,735
2. Skin tightening and fat reduction: $1,658
3. Skin resurfacing: $1,199
4. Hyperhidrosis: $1,193
5. Vaginal rejuvenation: $1,176
6. Dermal fillers: $766
7. Skin rejuvenation: $618
8. Tattoo placement: $426
9. Neurotoxin injections: $409
10. Sclerotherapy: $396

View more Cosmetic Surgery Costs here.

Cosmetic Surgery Trends

Interest in traditional surgical procedures like breast augmentations, facelifts or liposuction remains steady, possibly due to some patients having more time and flexibility for post-surgical recovery with work-from-home or hybrid schedules.³

Body procedures increased more than any other section, up 63% in 2021, followed by upticks in liposuction procedures (+66%) and abdominoplasties (+ 49%).²

But just as many patients are turning to non-surgical, minimally invasive cosmetic procedures as they return to in-person real life post-pandemic, opting for subtle “tweakments" and more natural-looking results over dramatic changes.⁴

Today's technologies and techniques make cosmetic procedures safer, less invasive and often less expensive than in the past. Several newer techniques also provide faster results and shorter recovery times.

All about eyes

Mask wearing hasn't disappeared completely, and patients are optimizing the eye area with a combination of non-surgical enhancements. Injectables like Botox® can be used to create a lifted, more youthful-looking brow frame and lateral canthus (the outer corner of the eye). Dermal fillers like Juvederm® add volume to the undereye for a brighter, more well-rested look.⁵

Combo or multitasking procedures

In a recent survey, Members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons agree that more patients are asking for “combination procedures" that minimize recovery times and typically have longer-lasting results. Popular combination procedures include those associated with post-pregnancy “Mommy Makeovers" for example, which may consist of a breast augmentation or lift, tummy tuck, arm, thigh or Brazilian butt lift, liposuction, non-invasive fat removal or other body contouring procedures.¹

Other popular multitasking procedures include:

Hybrid breast augmentation. This type of breast enlargement combines breast implants with liposuction, which is used to remove fat where it isn't wanted so it can be injected into the breast tissue. This cosmetic procedure results in a more natural-looking breast and has fewer risks, with faster recovery, than a standard breast augmentation using implants alone.

EmSculpt body contouring. This body contouring procedure uses highly-focused electromagnetic energy to initiate muscle contractions that help to both build muscle tone and break down fat on the abdomen and buttocks. EmSculpt is ideal for people with lower body mass index who want to reduce fat in hard-to-target areas and improve muscle definition.

Fat transfer. Removes fat from one area of the body where there is excess and injects it into another part of the body that could use more volume.

Natural-looking facial fillers

The Aesthetic Society's annual survey confirmed what many surgeons are reporting: a trend of some patients moving away from synthetic facial fillers and opting instead for procedures that create a more natural look. According to the survey, dermal filler reversal (the process of dissolving facial fillers) increased by 57% between 2020 and 2021.²

Some patients are turning to nano-fat transfer in lieu of synthetic fillers. Nano-fat transfer, sometimes called micronized injections, is a procedure in which a patient's own excess body fat is taken from the hips, buttocks, abdomen or thighs and used to add volume to sunken areas around the face. Nano-fat transfer is becoming increasingly popular as it's biocompatible with a patient's own body and results can last for years.⁶

Minimally invasive/non-surgical procedures

More patients are turning to minimally invasive or non-surgical options when it comes to cosmetic procedures. Popular procedures include:

Rhino-sculpture: a modern “nose job" procedure that uses a probe emitting ultrasonic energy to reshape nasal bones without damaging cartilage or soft tissue. Rhino-sculpture is considered a safer, less traumatic alternative to traditional rhinoplasty, with a shorter recovery time.

Non-surgical facelifts

• 3D facelift: A 3D facelift pulls tissue and fat from inside the lower part of the face to the cheekbones, adding volume without the more severe look of a traditional facelift. These types of facelifts are usually performed with local anesthesia.
• InstaLift®: A non-surgical facelift with no anesthesia required and no recovery time; costs less than a traditional facelift and lasts about 18 months.

Non-surgical body sculpting

• CoolSculpting®: A non-surgical procedure that involves freezing fat cells to remove stubborn fat around hips, belly, back and chest. No incisions and little to no downtime.
• Laser treatment: A noninvasive process such as SculpSure®is an example of using controlled heat to break down pockets of fat cells on the abdomen, thighs and buttocks. About 25 to 30 minutes per application area with no pain and no recovery time.
• Red light therapy: UltraSlim® uses a red lamp to target wavelengths into the skin to trigger fat cells to release excess fat. Non-invasive, minimal downtime with long-lasting results.

CareCredit Financing for Cosmetic Procedures

Did you know? You can use the CareCredit credit card to pay for cosmetic services and products, including surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures and treatments to help you look and feel your best.* Use the Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a nearby provider who accepts the CareCredit credit card.

Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance, and real estate/investing.