Why millennials are getting plastic surgery

WASHINGTON — More Americans under 30 are going under the knife to change the way they look, and social media is the driving force, according to the Washington-based American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

In a recent survey, the Association of Facial Plastic Surgeons says 64 percent of its members reported an increase in cosmetic surgery or injectables in patients under 30 last year.

“Social media presence and perceptions have become almost as, if not more important, than personal interactions for many teens and young adults,” says AAFPRS President Dr. Edwin Williams, III.

“We’re living in a time when someone’s profile, be it on Facebook, Instagram or a dating site, is often the first impression millennials get of each other.”

The top trends in facial plastic surgery for patients under 30, according to the AAFPRS are the following:

  • Natural-looking noses
  • Luscious lips
  • Younger-looking eyes
  • Cosmetic procedures to remain competitive in the workforce and
  • Restored facial volume for sculpted cheekbones.

The association’s members also report an increase in Botox injections for wrinkle fillers and lip augmentation, among women in their 20s.

Jeff Clabaugh

Jeff Clabaugh has spent 20 years covering the Washington region's economy and financial markets for WTOP as part of a partnership with the Washington Business Journal, and officially joined the WTOP newsroom staff in January 2016.

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