“Kardashian Effect” & Facial Plastic Surgery for Millennials

There have been many changes in facial plastic surgery since About Face first opened its doors. Innovative tools and revolutionary techniques have changed the ways expert surgeons like Dr George Marcells help patients rejuvenate their faces and refresh their appearance.

In this post, however, we’d like to look at a different kind of change. This change isn’t in surgery; it’s in the patients themselves. According to research announced in a press release issued by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstruction Surgery (AFFPRS)

“In 2015, 64% of member facial plastic surgeons saw an increase in cosmetic surgery or injectable treatments in patients under age 30.” – AAFPRS

The reason, in large part, may be traced to what some call The Kardashian Effect.

Kylie Jenner has 49.4 million followers on Instagram alone, and her changing looks inspire her fans to plump their lips, augment their breasts, and make other physical changes. “The problem,” says Dr George Marcells, “is that younger people are susceptible to celebrity culture in the media. They’re bombarded with images of stars, creating unrealistic expectations of what a person should look like.”

2 Reasons People under 30 Want Facial Plastic Surgery

How do you spend your days? New research by social-influence marketing platform Crowdtap indicates that millennials, individuals between aged 18 and 36, spend an average of 17.8 hours a day with different types of media.

Their destination of choice is often a photo-based service such as Instagram and Snapchat where selfies rule. (You can argue whether the trend is good or bad, but it is clearly here to stay.) These sites are dominated by celebrity images that have been enhanced, retouched, and photo shopped to perfection.

Millennials have grown up in a world that celebrates the quest for physical perfection through facial plastic surgery and cosmetic enhancement. This has, some say, turned them into a critical and judgmental bunch. In an anti-ageing study conducted by Allure magazine, respondents aged 18-29 expressed a much more negative opinion of celebs or politicians who’ve had work done than older respondents.

When they compare their own selfies to social media celebrity idols and idealised images, self-critical younger patients are drawn to cosmetic enhancement to

• Correct imperfections
• Look like their favourite A-Lister

Beauty Trends 2016: Top Cosmetic Procedures for Millennials

Younger people are some of the best-educated patients when it comes to cosmetic enhancement. With the Internet at their disposal, they conduct extensive research on ways to change their appearance. Liposuction, breast enhancement, and butt lifts are popular body contouring procedures.

The most researched facial plastic surgery procedures for younger patients are

• Rhinoplasty (nose job)
• Otoplasty (ear pinning)

Non-surgical enhancement, however, is the real catnip for millennials. These treatments are less invasive, time-consuming and expensive, and as Dr Marcells says, “can help younger patients delay the need for more extensive enhancement down the line.”

Treatments that are trending at our Edgecliff practice include:

• Dermal fillers to add volume to the face and lips
• Muscle relaxing injections to correct lines and wrinkles
• Laser skin rejuvenation to correct tone and texture
• Chemical peels to refresh skin

Ageless Beauty at About Face

Do you have questions about facial plastic surgery and cosmetic enhancement? We’ve got answers! We invite you to contact our practice in Edgecliff to schedule a consultation with Dr George Marcells.