Cosmetic surgery in 2023 showcased how minimalism and natural-looking facial enhancements are becoming the go-to for patients. There was also a significant amount of love for fillers, body contouring and BBLs, according to research from Face Med Store, who shared the most viral cosmetic surgeries and trends throughout 2023. The research conducted by medical supply retailer Face Med Store analyzed TikTok hashtags and Google searches in the United States to determine which cosmetic procedures are the most popular on social media and which states want the cosmetic procedures the most.
Looking forward to 2024, Dan Yamini, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon at Visthetic Surgery Institute & Med Spa, shared the 10 cosmetic surgery trends from 2023 that are on their way out of favor and the top 10 cosmetic surgery trends that will dominate medical aesthetics in 2024.
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Top Cosmetic Surgery Trends Phazing Out
Dr. Yamini thinks many of the procedures that will lose popularity are over-the-top enhancements that emphasize the "bigger is better" aesthetic philosophy, like overly plumped lips and excessive use of fillers and breast implants. Dr. Yamini predicts the desire for natural looks will hinder the desire for looks like overly smooth facial expressions and standard or stereotypical nose jobs. Here are Dr. Yamini's top 2023 cosmetic surgery trends on their way out.
1. Overly Plumped Lips
There has been a growing emphasis on natural-looking results, and excessively plumped lips were starting to fall out of favor. Many people are opting for more subtle enhancements to maintain a balanced and natural appearance. Not that this means lip filler is not still expected to continue being a popular treatment, as Face Med Store reported that Americans watched lip filler videos on TikTok 1.6 million times in the past three years, 90% more than microblading procedure videos, which landed in fifth place on the rankings.
2. Frozen Or Overly Smooth Facial Expressions
The trend towards more dynamic facial expressions and avoiding the "frozen" look associated with certain injectables may continue. Patients and practitioners are aiming for results that allow for natural movement and expression. However, just because patients are looking for more natural results, that doesn’t mean neurotoxins are not still expected to be at the top of patients’ list of top treatments in 2024. Botox is one of the most popular, according to Face Med Store, having accumulated 1.7 billion TikTok views in the past three years and has been googled 502,897 times on average a month.
3. Extreme Facelifts
The trend has been moving away from overly tight and pulled appearances associated with traditional facelifts. Modern facelift techniques aim for a more subtle and natural-looking rejuvenation.
4. Cookie-Cutter Nose Jobs
Patients are increasingly seeking nose surgeries that preserve individuality and ethnic characteristics rather than conforming to a standard or stereotypical nose shape.
5. Excessive Use of Filler
While fillers can be effective in restoring volume and enhancing features, the trend is shifting towards more judicious use. Overuse of fillers, especially in certain areas, can result in an unnatural appearance.
6. Breast Implants
There seems to be a growing interest in more natural-looking breasts, with some patients considering alternatives to breast implants. This includes procedures such as implant removal, downsizing, or combining removal with a breast lift using fat grafting.
7. Bigger is Better Aesthetic
In the past, there was a trend towards larger breasts and buttocks, with the "bigger is better" aesthetic being popular. However, there seems to be a shift towards a more subtle and understated aesthetic in recent years.
8. Brazilian Butt Lift Reversals
There is speculation that some individuals who previously underwent Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedures are now opting for smaller hips and buttocks, reversing the trend of larger buttocks. Interestingly, the BBL is still a top trending treatment on social media according to Face Med Store. BBLs topped the list of cosmetic procedures, taking social media by storm. According to Face Med Store, Americans have watched #brazilianbuttlift videos 4.8 billion times in the past three years and creators have used the hashtag 225,313 times. The BBL was the number one most-searched-for procedure in 24 states, with California having the highest average monthly search volume of 68,823.
Related: Florida’s Plastic Surgery Bill is a Game Changer for BBLs
Top Cosmetic Surgery Trends in 2024
In contrast to the treatment trends phasing out of popularity, Dr. Yamini predicts the desire for natural looks can be seen in the rise in popularity of minimally invasive procedures such as injectables (neurotoxin injections and fillers), which allows individuals to achieve subtle enhancements and address specific concerns without undergoing surgery. Here are Dr. Yamini's top cosmetic surgery trends in 2024.
1. Minimally Invasive Procedures
According to Dr. Yamini, there has been a growing interest in minimally invasive treatments that require less downtime and have fewer visible side effects.
2. Natural-Looking Results
Many individuals are opting for procedures that provide subtle and natural-looking enhancements rather than dramatic changes.
3. Body Contouring and Sculpting
Procedures that focus on body contouring, such as liposuction and non-surgical fat reduction, are gaining popularity. According to Face Med Store, Liposuction is being Googled 313,679 times a month on average. TikTok creators have used #liposuction 156,041 in the past three years.
4. Customization
Tailored and individualized treatments that consider a person's unique anatomy and features are becoming more prevalent.
5. Combination Procedures
Dr. Yamini said individuals will choose to combine multiple procedures to achieve comprehensive results in a single session.
6. Regenerative Treatments
There is an increasing interest in treatments that harness the body's natural regenerative processes, such as stem cell therapy or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments.
7. Ethnic Sensitivity
Surgeons are paying more attention to cultural and ethnic considerations, providing procedures that enhance natural features without erasing cultural identity.
8. Mommy Makeover Surgery
Mommy makeover surgery typically includes procedures such as breast augmentation or lift, tummy tuck, and liposuction, according to Dr. Yamini.
9. Tummy Tuck Surgery
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen, resulting in a flatter and more toned appearance.
10. Chin Augmentation
Chin augmentation is a procedure that enhances the shape and size of the chin using implants or fillers. Dr. Yamini said the procedure can help improve facial balance and definition.
Top 10 States Searching for Cosmetic Procedures: (average monthly searches per 100,000 residents)
- Florida: 1,862
- California: 1,860
- Massachusetts: 1,841
- New York: 1,823
- Colorado: 1,808
- New Jersey: 1,745
- Arizona: 1,745
- Washington: 1,716
- Nevada: 1,702
- Utah: 1,677
