Facial Plastic Surgery Predictions for 2014

Plastic surgery is experiencing a strong resurgence, according to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive  Surgery (AAFPRS). The most recent AAFPRS figures suggest that a double-digit comeback is underway since the 2008 recession. Here’s what AAFPRS members and president Edward Farrior, M.D., F.A.C.S., predict will be the most popular procedures this year.

 

1. Repurposing Fat

Using clients’ fat for cosmetic surgery has experienced an  uptick in popularity thanks to more predictable and lasting results than traditional fillers. “Facial plastic surgeons are continuously refining their fat harvesting and injection techniques, utilizing a variety of different methods and, in some cases,  combining fat with other substances, such as platelet-rich  plasma. The data suggests that adding fat back to the face may also improve skin texture and tone,” says Farrior.

 

2. Designer Filler Debuts

Juvéderm Voluma XC received the official nod from the FDA in late 2013, and this Allergan filler fills an important niche—the cheeks. It adds volume and fullness to areas of the face most affected by advancing age. Expect other site-specific “designer fillers” to enter the U.S. market in 2014.

 

3. Lip Rejuvenation

A growing number of women will be opting to plump up their puckers with confidence. Gone are the days when lips were  overfilled and inflated with collagen for an unnatural look. Now, facial plastic surgeons have mastered the fine art of lip enhancement and can achieve subtle, soft, and kissable results.

 

4. Rhino-Popularity Continues

Found to be the most common surgical procedure for both men and women under the age of 35, according to the AAFPRS, and the most in-demand facial plastic surgery among men of all ages, rhinoplasty has seen a recent resurgence. It is so popular that facial plastic surgeons coined the term “rhino-popularity.” The nose is the central feature of the face, and even a small change of plus or minus a few millimeters of cartilage or bone can make a big impact in clients’ overall appearances.

 

5. Cryotherapy

Winter brings cold temperatures, but facial plastic surgeons are quick to point out that freezing can have some important cosmetic and reconstructive benefits when done right. Expect to hear more about cryotherapy and its many uses in 2014, including freezing fat and smoothing forehead wrinkles.—Jennifer Barnes