More Patients Over 65 Choosing Plastic Surgery

Surprisingly, the fastest growing demographic for cosmetic surgery patients may not be who you expect. In the last few years, according to ABC News, more men and women over the age of 65 are choosing to have cosmetic surgery. This may be due to a wide range of factors, including an increased public discussion of cosmetic procedures and a trend toward increased activity later in life. As social, business and personal expectations continue to increase after retirement, more patients are seeing the potential benefits of seeking cosmetic procedures at a later age.

As stated by Phyllis Porter, an 80-year-old breast implant and face-lift patient, “All my life I did things I was supposed to do. Never had sex until I was married — that’s kind of rare nowadays. I always was conventional. I always did what I was supposed to do. Now I’m going to do what I want to do. I’ve earned the privilege. That’s the way I feel.”

Benefits of Getting Cosmetic Surgery Later in Life

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, patient populations over 65 have increased by more than 350% in the last five years. In the words of Dr. Richard Erlichman, “As a matter of fact, over the past several years, that has been the largest-growing group of patients by age category.” Many patients feel similarly to Phyllis Porter, stating that they feel like they have earned the right to make these choices after a lifetime of labor.

Older patients have a number of benefits when it comes to choosing cosmetic surgery. They are often more financially stable, and are able to pay for procedures immediately out of pocket, rather than taking out loans, using credit cards, etc. In addition, patients who have had more time to think about what concerns they specifically want to address may experience greater overall satisfaction.

Along with the social and personal benefits, there may be medical benefits as well. Though patients who are older need to be screened for a range of conditions that more commonly occur in the elderly, they have some clinical advantages. According to Dr. Julius Few of Northwestern University, “There is experimental evidence that suggest that older individuals are less likely to form hypertrophic [prominent] scars,” Few said. For this reason, he recommends that surgical limits should not be strictly age-related, as older patients can often be healthier than patients dozens of years younger.

Older Men Getting Cosmetic Surgery, Too

While the majority of cosmetic surgery in older patients is done on women, older men are turning to aesthetic medicine as well. Fred Watson is one of those men, turning to cosmetic surgery for a face and eye lift at 65. As he puts it, “I know, realistically, I may only have a few more years left on this earth, so I try to take care of not only my face, but also my body. I exercise, eat right, I eat my veggies.”

Overall, this trend is likely to continue, with people living longer and being more active as they age. In the words of Phyllis Porter, “I think people are saying that people 80 years old should be picking out their cemetery lot, should be thinking about how many pills they’re taking. I don’t want to think about cemetery lots. I want to think about living.”

Questions? Schedule Your Consultation Today!

If you have questions about the various options of cosmetic for yourself or others, or want to know more about our other non-surgical procedures, please contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Pamela Henderson. We will be happy to help you reach your facial goals.