If you’ve been keeping an eye on cosmetic surgery trends this year, you might have noticed something interesting: patients are moving away from the “obviously done” look and toward something much more natural-looking, something Dr. Salemy has been championing since the start of his plastic surgery practice over 20 years ago. RealSelf recently highlighted Dr. Salemy’s philosophy of enhancing individual features while preserving a patient’s authentic appearance, thus avoiding the “operated-on” look, in its latest “Real Talk Report“. We break down the highlights for you here.
Analyzing over 55 million RealSelf site visits in 2024, RealSelf’s Real Talk Report revealed the Top 5 Most-Searched Procedures were:
- Liposuction was the most popular procedure, with searches up 144% from the previous year. This is attributed to people seeking to refine weight loss results achieved through methods like Ozempic and other weight loss drugs.
- Breast lifts saw a 116% increase in searches, likely due to a preference for smaller, more natural-looking breasts and a desire to reverse changes caused by weight loss or pregnancy.
- Tummy tucks also experienced an 84% rise in searches, with people seeking to address sagging skin after weight loss or pregnancy.
- Breast augmentation remains popular, with a trend toward smaller implants and a growing interest in fat transfer for a more natural look.
- Rhinoplasty searches increased by 90%, with a notable rise in searches for ethnic rhinoplasty, reflecting a desire to preserve racial identity while enhancing features.
RealSelf’s Report Featured Insights from Dr. Salemy on the Growing Popularity of Natural-Looking Results:
Liposuction Increased Along with Increased Adoption of GLP-1 Medications (e.g., Ozempic):
Dr. Salemy noted an increase in patients seeking liposuction, specifically to achieve a fit appearance, and that GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic) are helping patients achieve weight loss goals more efficiently, leading them to seek liposuction for refined body contouring to match their progress.
Breast Lifts Trend Upward as Patients Prefer Smaller Breast Sizes:
Dr. Salemy identified several factors driving the increased interest in breast lifts, including a general normalization of cosmetic surgery, a growing preference for smaller breast sizes, and a desire to reverse changes from weight loss.
Dr. Salemy emphasized that patients increasingly seek natural-looking results, especially after pregnancy or significant weight changes.
Fat Transfer for Natural Enhancements Will Continue to Grow in Popularity:
Dr. Salemy confirmed a growing trend in fat transfer procedures and observed that patients are attracted to the concept of using unwanted fat from one area to enhance another. Dr. Salemy also predicted continued growth in this trend, particularly for patients seeking subtle, natural enhancements without implants.
A Desire for Natural-Looking Results Across All Procedures
Overall, the RealSelf report suggests a shift toward more natural-looking results, with a focus on refining and enhancing existing features rather than dramatic transformations, across all procedures. Additionally, increasing interest in ethnicity-preserving techniques, particularly in rhinoplasty, reflects a growing emphasis on maintaining individual identity while pursuing aesthetic improvements.
The report also highlighted broader industry trends, including notable regional variations in procedure popularity and distinct generational preferences. The data revealed interesting geographical patterns, with certain procedures dominating specific metropolitan areas, and showed clear generational differences in procedure preferences, reflecting varying aesthetic priorities across age groups. Some generational trends highlighted include:
- Gen Z and Millennials showed high interest in breast enhancement procedures, while Gen X and Baby Boomers focused more on facial rejuvenation procedures like facelifts and eyelid surgery.
- Gen X is particularly interested in tummy tucks, likely due to a combination of factors like weight loss and post-pregnancy changes.
- Baby Boomers are the primary demographic for eyelid surgery.
For the full report, visit RealSelf.
