The oldest of the “millennials” just turned 35 and even the youngest is passing into adulthood. A recent survey indicates that 64% of plastic surgeons have reported an uptick in procedures done for the under-30 crowd. This has been influenced by the selfie, time spent on social media and the constant bombardment of celebrities getting plastic surgery: 82% of them say celebrity comparisons are a major factor in their decision.
Baby Boomers and Rejuvenation
Each “generation” has brought us different attitudes. The Baby Boomers didn’t have the number of choices that we have today. They want to look younger because it makes them feel younger, but frankly, they are aging. For many of them; however, defying gravity or changing shape and size of major body parts isn’t their biggest concern; they would rather spend their retirement on travel and recreation. They still want to look young and it is their face that is most concerning but they don’t want to spend weeks recovering from surgery.
Though some baby-boomers are getting surgical procedures like facelifts, many opt for “rejuvenation” to improve the texture and appearance of the face and skin. Rejuvenation treatments may include non-invasive facial contouring with lasers, temperature or radiofrequency, facial injections with Botox and collagen, and even the use of prescription skin products like Retin-A.
Generation X and Big Changes
The Gen-Xers are a bit more conservative and even though some procedures were available – noninvasive procedures have really only taken off recently, so it wasn’t an option. They postponed plastic surgery due to careers, marriage and childrearing, and may actually be surprised to suddenly find themselves near 50. Many may feel their bodies are aging before they get to enjoy life after responsibilities, and many have the financial security they didn’t have before and have time to commit to self-improvement.
They are interested in restoring major areas or changing what they always hated. Breast enhancements of all types – reductions, lifts and augmentations, body contouring with liposuction, tummy tucks and eyelid surgery are the most common procedures amongst the 35 to 50 age range.
Millennials and Prejuvenation
The millennials are more comfortable with medical advances and though, the youngest millennials aren’t anywhere close to “aging,” they are interested in doing something before it starts. The older millennials know aging is just around the corner. While their grandparents get rejuvenation, their parents get surgery, millennials are looking for “prejuvenation” – in droves. In fact, in 2015, millennials researched plastic surgery and noninvasive procedures more than anything else and they are reportedly “binge watching” plastic surgery procedures on Snapchat.
The ever-changing face of Kylie Jenner, which thanks to her and her sisters, has actually resulted in “the Kardashian effect,” and obsession with “did she or didn’t she” get plastic surgery, has resulted in a micro focus on looking young, but that isn’t the only reason why “prejuvenation” is a big trend. The millennials are already concerned about staying competitive in the workforce. Once, looking 35 wasn’t a bad thing in the workforce. It helped managers feel like employees would approach their jobs with maturity but in today’s world of high-tech, green energy, and entrepreneurial goals, they want to preserve the “under 25” look for as long as they can – because it conveys energy and innovative thinking.
The millennials are young but they know that it is better to take care of something than to fix it, once it is broken. The same thing goes with the appearance; it is better to prevent aging skin than to deal with it once it happens. They are witness to the Baby Boomers “before and after” rejuvenation procedures, and have clearly decided that it works, but it’s best to attend to aging before it becomes an issue.
In addition to a different mind-set with greater self-awareness and more knowledge about the benefits of noninvasive plastic or cosmetic procedures, today’s young adults also have more choices, all less expensive than they were for their elders, or will be in the future. For the face, they may choose something as simple as getting regular facials, but many are going for more comprehensive treatments – but still noninvasive. From Botox to prevent lines from forming, microdermabrasion to improve skin texture, chemical peels to reduce skin flaws, and fillers to plump up the lips or fill in lines at the first hint – and keep them from getting worse.
For the rest of their bodies, they are getting noninvasive “liposuction” using radio waves, focused lasers or temperature to reduce stubborn fat deposits. While about half of the research on rhinoplasty and the “Brazilian Butt Lift” is done by millennials, they have more acceptance of ethnic variances and may not feel the need to make big changes, just prevent things from deteriorating. Whether it is just a matter of time remains to be seen, but we know that right now, the number of noninvasive treatments is getting bigger, faster.
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