Aging is natural, but we don’t have to take it for granted. When we age, we experience changes in our skin, hair and facial features that cause us to get frustrated or embarrassed. But thanks to cutting-edge plastic surgery, older adults now have more options than ever to maintain their youthful look and enhance their self-esteem.
In this blog, we’ll discuss how plastic surgery can preserve seniors’ youthful appearance, which procedures are the most sought-after by the ageing crowd, and how they are not just for cosmetic reasons but to enhance their lives and their self-esteem.
The Increased Demand for Plastic Surgery in Older People
Ageing is outpacing us faster than ever. The United Nations estimates that there will be over two times as many people aged 60 years and older by 2050, coming to close to 2.1 billion. The more this group increases, the greater the demand for procedures that can keep people looking younger.
Once a sin or the exclusivity for the elite, plastic surgery is increasingly embraced by the older generations. Now, it’s no longer all about self-esteem, it’s about confidence, thriving, and being as young as you feel.
Why Elderly People Refuse Plastic Surgery
For most seniors, plastic surgery provides a solution to the signs of ageing such as sagging skin, wrinkles and loss of facial volume. These changes sometimes negatively impact self-esteem and lead individuals to be alienated from their sense of self.
But there are other advantages. Many older adults resort to cosmetic procedures to fix life-limiting issues, whether they have sagging skin near the eyes that reduces their ability to see, or to reshape the body after drastic weight loss.
Older people can experience rejuvenation with plastic surgery and no longer think that a lavish procedure is only for the wealthy. Older adults are investing in themselves, which makes cosmetic procedures particularly popular for this age group.
Best Plastic Surgery Procedures for Older People
While each individual’s needs and wants vary, certain cosmetic treatments have exploded in popularity among the older generation. These are some of the most sought-after treatments:
1. Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
The most favored treatment for those seniors looking to reverse the clock is a facelift. When our skin starts to become saggy with age, we start to develop fine lines and wrinkles. A facelift will remove excess skin, firm the muscles and give the face a youthful, firmer look. The procedure can be performed on the top or lower face to eliminate deep wrinkles and restore form.
o Who it’s for: Aged adults who suffer from significant facial sagging and desire to return to their youthful, energetic selves.
2. Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
In later years, the skin around the eyes can start to thin, making people look worn out or older than they really are. Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, eliminates skin and fat on the top and bottom of the eyes to create a brighter, awoken look. It can also aid seniors who have impaired vision due to the sagging of their eyelids.
o Who’s it for: Aging adults wanting to optimise both the appearance and functionality of their eyes.
3. Neck Lift (Cervicoplasty)
This is one of the first places we begin to age and for most seniors, hanging skin and a “double chin” is frustrating. A neck lift lifts skin and elongates muscles that create a more youthful look to the neck. It is especially popular for individuals who wish to improve the overall look of their face and profile.
o Who Should Wear It: Aged individuals who have loose skin or excess fat around the neck.
4. Botox, Fillers Non-surgical Options: Botox & Dermal Fillers
If you’re an older adult who wants the option to make a cosmetic transformation without going under the knife, Botox and dermal fillers are an alternative. Botox plumps up wrinkles and lines by relaxing the muscles behind them, while fillers lift areas that have drooped like the cheeks or under the eyes.
o Who it’s for: Seniors who want the slightest makeover to smooth lines and add volume to the face with minimal downtime.
5. Liposuction
For most seniors, liposuction can be the answer to stubborn fat deposits that won’t come off when we eat or exercise. As we grow older, our metabolism decreases, and fat tends to build up in areas such as the abdomen, thighs or hips. Liposuction rips these layers of fat away to give you a slimmer, contoured figure.
o Who It Is For: Seniors who are healthy, but suffer from small pockets of fat no matter how they exercise.
Psychological Advantages of Cosmetic Surgery for Older People
It’s not just a matter of physical appearance: plastic surgery can be incredibly psychologically transformative. For most people in their late years, making themselves more attractive is a way to restore self-esteem, enhance social life, and increase their well being.
Better Self-Image: The use of cosmetic surgery can make the old person more at peace with their identity. This rise in self-esteem can help them live happier lives and perform better in social settings.
More Confidence: The positive feelings you gain when standing in front of the mirror, knowing you look good and are confident will help to promote the sense of confidence so that you can participate more fully in life and enjoy things you would otherwise have shied away from.
Post-Surgery Care and Recovery for Elderly Patients
As with all surgical procedures, aftercare plays an important role in recovery. Seniors should ensure that they closely adhere to their surgeon’s advice and may need support in the initial healing period. Drinking enough water, eating the right foods, and not smoking are all crucial to healing. Older patients should go for follow-up appointments as well, to make sure everything is recovering as it should be.
Take Your Ageing Journey Into Confidence
Being older doesn’t require you to stop looking and feeling your best. As plastic surgery has improved, it now enables seniors to undergo a wide array of treatments that enable them to age gracefully without looking young.
Aesthetic surgery for the elderly does not simply involve making one’s skin look beautiful; it involves making one feel comfortable, alive and confident in his golden years. If you’re a senior interested in cosmetic surgery, talk to a board-certified surgeon about what you can do and what you can do to become a rejuvenated version of yourself.
Are you ready to regain your youthful glow? To discuss plastic surgery as a way to revitalise your appearance, get in touch with an experienced plastic surgeon today. Check out what’s possible and start living a more confident life!