Cosmetic Surgery in Your 20s
People in their 20s, fresh out of college and out on their own for the first time, are often in the process of figuring out who they are. In some cases, this process of self-discovery may lead them to consider cosmetic surgery in order to improve their appearance. The staff at Jefferson Plastic Surgery sees many of these patients in their 20s who are eager to improve their features as part of their discovery of who they are.
Most Popular Cosmetic Surgeries (Ages 20-29)
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the largest professional organization for cosmetic surgeons, collects annual data from its member surgeons regarding not only the most popular cosmetic procedures they perform, but also breaking it down by demographics, including age.
The five most popular cosmetic surgical procedures in 2014 among patients between the ages of 20 and 29 are:
- Breast augmentation - 82,494 procedures
- Nose reshaping - 68,803 procedures
- Liposuction - 32,225 procedures
- Breast lift - 12,829 procedures
- Tummy tuck - 11,081 procedures
As the numbers show, cosmetic surgical patients in their 20s are generally less concerned with procedures to offset the effects of aging, such as facelifts or eyelid surgery to remove excess skin and fat around the eyes. Instead, these patients are mostly opting for procedures to enhance and improve the features they have.
Advantages to Cosmetic Surgery in Patients Ages 20-29
In most cases, patients in their 20s have excellent skin tone and elasticity. They also have an abundant amount of collagen, which is a natural protein in the body that helps fill out the body over the skeletal frame. What this means is that the skin and underlying tissue of patients in their 20s will more easily conform to the new body shape as a result of cosmetic surgery than will older patients, many of whom may have already lost collagen due to aging. The skin of patients in their 20s is less likely to sag or look overstretched.
Another advantage to cosmetic surgery in this age group is that it can help patients get ahead of some of the changes that may begin to happen when they get into their 30s. For example, a breast lift procedure is designed to lift the breasts higher into a more youthful position. Those patients who undergo a breast lift in their 20s may not experience as much sag to their breasts in the future.
Considerations for Patients in their 20s
While patients in their 20s may feel that the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery fits with their current lifestyle, there are some considerations on how their lifestyles may change as they get older. The most obvious, of course, is pregnancy and breastfeeding following a breast augmentation procedure. While patients in their 20s may not be considering childrearing, it is not unusual for them to change their minds in their 30s. Fortunately, the techniques that are used for breast augmentation not only account for the breasts growing in size during pregnancy, but will also allow for breastfeeding. Patients who think they may be looking toward having children should discuss this with the staff at Jefferson Plastic Surgery.
Despite what people may think, cosmetic surgery is not necessarily just for older patients wishing to recapture youth. Younger patients may also benefit from cosmetic surgery.