A recent article in The Washington Post focuses on the trend towards more Americans over 65 obtaining plastic surgeries and other procedures, with the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) reporting that the incidence of certain procedures has increased by over 100 percent since the mid-1990s. Here at BHP, we are seeing significantly more patients in the 65-and-over cohort. We’ve found that seniors obtain these procedures for a couple of reasons that reflect the changing nature of life for today’s older Americans. These include:

Staying More Socially Active: Once upon a time, seniors were expected to pretty much stick to card games, mahjong, and shuffleboard when it came to leisure time activities, but today’s unmarried seniors enjoy active social lives that very definitely include dating. Dealing with such issues as baggy eyes with an eyelid lift, or perhaps defeating the dreaded “turkey neck” with a neck lift, can definitely help seniors look their best and feel more confident when they’re out and about, the medical group adds.

Staying Relevant at Work: Even coworkers and superiors who would never consciously discriminate against an aging employee might find themselves reacting more positively to a younger looking colleague. As more and more of us stay in the workforce longer and longer, facial rejuvenation techniques are proving to be a powerful secret weapon in the battle for raises and promotions – and for older jobseekers, they really can make an important difference. Facial rejuvenation techniques, such as surgical facelifts and such increasingly popular injectables as Botox, Restylane, and Juvederm can subtly take years off an individual’s perceived age and give ambitious seniors an important edge in the workplace.

There are a great many other procedures that can help older individuals stay more active both in their careers and on the social scene. These include Kybella, which destroys the fat cells that cause the always unflattering double chin. Rhinoplasties (nose jobs) can not only make older patients more facially attractive, they can also subtly shave years off a patient’s appearance. This is because, as we age, our noses never stop growing. Therefore, reducing the size of a nose can create an impression of greater youthfulness.