Plastic surgery appointments for Gen Zers are reportedly ‘surging’ in the U.S., marking a shift in cosmetic surgery demographics. This is according to recent data from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The Academy reports that 75 percent of plastic surgeons have seen a surge in clients younger than 30.
Popular procedures include breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery and facelifts. Less invasive procedures like Botox injections are also increasing.
With this current interest, there are safety risks, especially when visiting unregistered or unreputable practitioners, according to New York City plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Westreich.
According to Dr. Westreich, people need to be aware of the warning signs in relation to poor practitioners. He states: “As social media and visual self-representation continue to dominate our culture, traditional customer demographics across many sectors, plastic surgery being no exception, are being replaced with a younger, highly mobile and heavily engaged client base.”
“Essentially, everyone lives the life of celebrity, and the quest for the fountain of youth now begins in the 20s for many people,” adds Westreich.
Whatever procedure a person is considering, due diligence is the best defence against potential post-op problems, Dr. Westreich cautions.
He states: “My best advice to people is to go back to the mindset before the Zoom boom.” This is because virtual consults have streamlined the process and tightened the timeline between concept and completion, leading Westreich to add: “Don’t rush into something just because it’s easy or convenient.”
In terms of safety tips Dr. Westreich says the following can improve a person’s chances of a better outcome:
Tip 1: Make sure any doctor you schedule through a virtual visit allows you to cancel AFTER an in-person meeting for surgery. There is no substitute for face to face.
Tip 2: Your health doesn’t belong in the bargain bin.
Tip 3: Medical tourism can be dangerous. Laws may differ; regulations may differ; problems with after care may arise.
Tip 4: Understand informed consent. Ask for examples of not only the good outcomes but also the potential bad ones. Ask for data specific to the procedure and the doctor performing it (complication rates, death rates).
Tip 5: Surgery belongs in accredited operating rooms. Ask to see accreditation certificate (AAA, AAAA, JCAHO).
Tip 6: Make sure the board certification of a doctor makes sense for the procedure they are performing.
Tip 7: If significant issues arise after a procedure (surgery or office injection), seek a second opinion on management.
