AAFPRS 2018 Stats: Selfie Awareness and Prejuvenation Are Hot Trends

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) is the largest specialty medical association for plastic surgeons who specialize in facial procedures and reconstructive surgery, representing more than 2,500 professionals throughout the world.

Each year, the AAFPRS sends out an annual survey to its members to track current trends and changes over the past year. The latest survey results for 2018 have been compiled and released. While some trends have remained consistent over the years, there were some interesting new developments for this past year.

The shift in age demographics toward younger patients is particularly interesting and also mirrors what our surgeons at Jefferson Plastic Surgery see among our patients. Read further for more information on the current state of facial cosmetic procedures.

General Trends

As in previous years, this year’s AAFPRS survey also shows that patients are undergoing surgical and non-surgical facial improvement procedures at a growing rate. The average number of surgical procedures requested from AAFPRS member surgeons went up significantly between 2013 and 2018 (up by 47 percent). There was also a 22 percent increase in BOTOX injections over the same time period.

There was a particularly noticeable increase in requests for cosmetic procedures from patients under the age of 30. A total of 72 percent of AAFPRS member surgeons saw an increase in their number of younger patients. This jump in younger patients was a 24 percent increase from 2013, in which 58 percent of AAFPRS member surgeons saw an increase in their number of younger patients under the age of 30.

Selfie-Awareness

The trend among millennials is sometimes referred to as selfie-awareness. It is rooted in the fact that millennials are the largest generation with an online presence, particularly on social media.

Tinder is one excellent example of social media platforms that prompt users to improve their facial features. When users scan through photos of possible matches, they can swipe either left or right to indicate whether or not they are interested in the person, based on their appearance.

Prejuvenation

Prejuvenation is another trend seen within the AAFPRS survey that is similar to selfie-awareness. The survey showed increased interest among millennials wanting to undergo non-invasive facial cosmetic procedures, such as dermal fillers and laser treatments that are designed to reduce the signs of aging on the face.

These patients in their 20s and 30s are not seeking to minimize aging that is already apparent on the face, but get ahead of the game by stopping it from showing up in the first place.

If patients are seeking out ways to keep their face looking as young as possible before it starts to show signs of aging, maintaining that look will be easier as they get older.

When it comes to facial cosmetic procedures, millennials are not willing to wait until time catches up them. According to the AAFPRS 2018 survey, they are already looking for ways to beat the clock when it comes to aging.