Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Trends Every Surgeon Needs to Know in 2023

Published: October 6, 2022, Last Updated: May 16, 2023

Writer at Finturf.com
Writer: Martha Pierson
Editor at Finturf.com
Editor: Anais Osipova
Reviewer at Finturf.com
Reviewer: Michael Needham

The number of new plastic surgery methods keeps increasing every year, and so does the demand for these surgeries. For comparison, the number of plastic surgeries performed grew from 900,000  in 1997 to over 1.5 million in 2021

If you run your own plastic surgery clinic, you need to stay up to date with what procedures are currently in demand. This can help you better tailor your marketing efforts and acquire all the necessary equipment. That said, we have collected a list of plastic surgery trends in 2023 that every surgeon has to know. Read on to find out more.

Body Contouring

Cosmetic surgeon performing body contouring on patient's stomach

The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that Americans gained an average of two pounds per week during the first four months of the pandemic. Therefore, it is unsurprising that there has been a surge in body contouring procedures. One of the most popular weight loss techniques that more and more people are turning to is liposuction.

Other types of non-weight-related body contouring procedures are also expected to grow in popularity. For instance, one of the latest plastic surgery trends is the Qwo, the first FDA-approved injectable to prevent cellulite. Interest in this quick fix is already growing and is forecasted to increase in the coming years.

Cost analysis of running a surgical suite shows that cosmetic surgery has a 31.2% profit margin in California. This is the average indicator if you take into account standard costs for office rent, equipment, salaries, and industry average pricing for procedures.

Injections and Fillers

An injectable is a non-invasive beauty treatment that doesn’t usually require general anesthesia. Therefore, many people prefer injections and fillers to avoid undergoing anesthesia or extended recovery periods. The demand for different injections and fillers is growing substantially, mainly because patients can see the results in 24 to 48 hours.

While the demand for Botox and classic lip fillers remains stable, new injectable trends are emerging among patients. Some of the latest trends to keep an eye on include:

  • Platelet-rich Fibrin (PRF) – a new version of the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injectable with a higher concentration of white blood cells that promote hair growth and rejuvenate the skin. This procedure can be offered “off-label” for musculoskeletal conditions, including muscle strains and soft tissue injuries. A typical PRF procedure costs between $300 and $700 in most clinics.
  • Hyaluronic Acid Fillers – aimed to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and give structure and volume to the face and lips. The average cost of a syringe of Hyaluronic Acid filler is between $400 and $800.
  • Neurotoxins – inner-muscle injections that lessen wrinkles and can also treat excessive sweating. New types of neurotoxins are under development. While these injections are typically safe, side effects in patients may occur, such as swelling, bruising, and pain.

Preventative Procedures

Close up on cosmetic surgeon injecting botox into patient's face

Previously, plastic surgery was primarily used to repair damage caused by physical damage. Then, older generations started using facelifts to look younger. Nowadays, younger generations also use cosmetic procedures to prevent and delay the signs of aging.

The following are the most common preventative plastic surgery trends performed by surgeons:

  • Botox Injections. Applying Botox injections typically takes physicians less than 20 minutes. Any licensed M.D. or D.O. can perform these procedures and order the medication from pharmaceutical companies.
  • Dermabrasion. Dermabrasion can be performed pretty quickly. The procedure involves scraping away the outermost layer of the skin until a scar or wrinkle is less or no longer visible.
  • Mini Facelifts. Mini facelifts can prevent signs of aging. Surgeons pull the skin towards the patient’s ears after making incisions in front of the ears. Then, they remove excess skin to tighten its appearance.
  • Preventative Mastectomy. Preventative procedures aren’t always for cosmetic purposes. Mastectomy involves entirely removing the breast through surgery to prevent the development of breast cancer.

Revisionary Procedures

Another common trend is among patients who want to change the results of their previous treatments. Revisionary procedures are usually done for two reasons.

The first is to update the patient’s appearance. For instance, many patients return to the operating table for follow-up procedures on plastic surgery that they did years ago. This maintenance surgery can extend the results for them in the long run.

Other patients opt for revisionary procedures because they may have changed their minds or are not satisfied with the results. In any case, surgeons must perform a detailed analysis of the endoscopic exam, if necessary, to minimize the risk of a second failure.

Male Cosmetic Surgery

Close up on plastic surgeon consulting with smiling patient

As plastic surgery is becoming less stigmatized, clinics observe men embracing the idea of plastic surgery more than ever before. Some of the cosmetic procedures that men request most often include:

  • Gynecomastia (reduction of the male breast tissue)
  • Rhinoplasty (nose job)
  • Chin augmentation
  • Liposuction
  • Eyelid rejuvenation

A New York-based plastic surgeon Alan Matarasso, M.D., says that “more men are seeking plastic surgery to help them professionally as well as they feel more confident about advancing in their careers and competing in the workplace after surgery.”

Personalized and Multiple Surgeries

Most plastic and cosmetic surgeries are personalized to meet each patient’s needs and wants. However, one of the recent trends in plastic surgery offers an extra level of customization and a combination of different procedures. This allows patients to undergo multiple cosmetic surgeries in one go.

Many clinics now perform multiple surgeries at once to avoid having patients undergo anesthesia several times. And most of these combinations of surgeries do not extend the recovery time. For example, facelift patients can combine fat grafting, lasers, and a chemical peel simultaneously. Surgeons can now also perform a skin tightening treatment with liposuction or a breast lift with breast augmentation surgery.

Please note that multiple surgeries may also be riskier. That’s why it is important to disclose all associated risks and side effects to the patient before they give their consent.

Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Financing

Close up on installment loan paperwork

Plastic and cosmetic surgeries usually cost more than $500 and can reach up to $50,000. However, some patients may not have the full amount on hand to pay for their procedures. Instead, they may need plastic surgery financing for patients.

Surgeons can also help their patients by offering point-of-sale solutions. For instance, patients can take advantage of split payments. This alternative financing option allows cosmetic clients to pay for their procedures in smaller monthly installments over a longer period of time.

Setting up a cloud-based POS financing platform is fast and easy. In case a patient is denied POS financing, the clinic can connect them with a personal loan provider instead.

Social Media Influence

There’s no point in denying that social media has recently impacted the uptick in plastic and cosmetic surgeries. Many users tend to compare themselves to celebrities and influencers[34]  on Instagram, which incentivizes them to make corrections to their bodies to resemble their favorite stars.

Research published at the National Library of Medicine reveals that 95% of cosmetic surgery patients have consulted an online source, particularly social media. Additionally, more than half of the respondents follow a plastic surgeon on social media. Today, Instagram, Twitter, and other networks are powerful tools for plastic surgeons to advertise their professional services and strengthen their brand positioning. For instance, surgeons can attract customers by posting before and after photos, informative infographics, and practitioner bios.

Sum Up

Plastic surgery is growing in popularity and expanding into new demographics. In this article, we saw what the trends in plastic surgery will be in 2023 and what types of surgeries every surgeon can expect to perform more frequently. With the combination of social media’s influence and various available financing options, plastic surgeons are confident that they’ll continue seeing a steady rise in the number of cosmetic and plastic surgery patients.


Martha Pierson

Editor-in-ChiefMartha is Editor-in-Chief at Finturf.com. Her career began in 2003 when she started as an investment banking analyst. Martha continued her career path as a financial advisor for investments. She has a passion for writing and is mainly focused on covering financial and business management topics.

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