Procedures from liposuction to Botox are up among the 55-and-older age group.
In today’s dating world, singles make snap judgments about potential dates as fast as they can swipe. For the 20 million baby boomers currently using online dating sites, the high stakes of the modern dating world can be intimidating as they age. New statistics by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show that more Americans age 55 and older are seeking cosmetic procedures to help them put their best face forward.
“Baby boomers are not looking to turn back the clock to their twenties – they just want to look as young and vibrant on the outside as they feel on the inside,” said Anne Taylor, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Columbus, Ohio. “There is a wide range of procedures to help them achieve that goal, from surgery to small tweaks that can be done on their lunch break.”
The newly released statistics reveal that there were nearly 50,000 more cosmetic procedures performed on those 55 and older in 2018 than in the previous year, with spikes in surgical procedures like liposuction, hair transplantation and breast augmentation, as well as minimally invasive options like Botox and fillers. This age group also accounted for nearly half of all eyelid surgeries and two-thirds of facelifts performed last year.
“Working with a board-certified plastic surgeon provides a full spectrum of procedures to find the right solution for each patient,” said Alan Matarasso, MD, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “It also ensures that you are working with a surgeon who has undergone extensive training and is held to the highest safety and quality standards.”
The divorce rate among baby boomers has roughly doubled since the 1990s, which explains this generation’s rise in dating. In a culture where first impressions are so important, cosmetic procedures can give them the confidence to enter the dating scene and find that special someone.
“People want to feel and look their best, and they will often tell you, ‘I feel great, and I want to look as good as I feel,'” said Dr. Matarasso. “Whether it’s surgical or non-surgical, cosmetic procedures give baby boomers something that they can achieve on their own to feel better, look better and give them greater confidence when meeting new people.”
