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Facial plastic surgery continues to grow. According to the latest annual survey from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), procedures are projected to increase 19 percent nationwide, totaling an estimated 1.6 million treatments.<\/p>\n
But the growth is not about going bigger. It is about starting earlier and being more deliberate. \u201cThe biggest takeaway is that aesthetics has become far more intentional,\u201d says Houston facial plastic surgeon and AAFPRS President Anthony Brissett, MD. \u201cWhile we saw a 19 percent increase in facial plastic procedures nationwide, patients are not asking for dramatic changes. They\u2019re seeking natural-looking, strategic treatments that preserve their features over time. Patients want to maintain their identity while aging confidently.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ahead are the biggest trends emerging from this year\u2019s survey.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s survey found that 57 percent of surgeons report an increase in patients under 30 requesting cosmetic procedures or injectables. \u201cAt the same time, younger patients are starting earlier with preventative treatments,\u201d says Dr. Brissett. \u201cInstead of waiting to correct aging, they\u2019re choosing to preserve and maintain. Together, these trends signal a long-term, strategy-driven approach to facial aesthetics.\u201d<\/p>\n
The data also show that patients 34 and younger continue to make up the majority of rhinoplasty patients, while those aged 35 to 55 remain the core group seeking neurotoxins and other nonsurgical treatments.<\/p>\n
Minimally invasive care continues to dominate. According to the survey, nonsurgical treatments now account for 80 percent of all procedures performed by AAFPRS members, with neurotoxins and fillers remaining the most requested.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s driving those decisions has shifted. \u201cAccording to our annual AAFPRS member survey, patients\u2019 primary concern is no longer cost or downtime, but looking unnatural or overdone,\u201d says Dr. Brissett. \u201cAfter years of exaggerated trends on social media, there\u2019s clear fatigue around overfilled or obvious results. Subtlety, balance and restraint have become the new aesthetic standard. This places greater importance on surgical expertise, precision and long-term planning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Weight-loss medications are also reshaping consultations. The survey shows 67 percent of members report increased demand related to rapid weight loss, up 45 percent from last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cGLP-1 medications have significantly reshaped facial aesthetics and patient needs,\u201d says Dr. Brissett. \u201cAs facial fat diminishes quickly, we\u2019re seeing more patients seeking volume restoration and skin support.\u201d<\/p>\n
AAFPRS members report a second consecutive year of 50 percent growth in fat grafting procedures, and one in four surgeons predict GLP-1 use could drive additional demand for nonsurgical treatments.<\/p>\n
Hormonal changes are now explicitly part of the aesthetic conversation. The survey found that 45 percent of surgeons report more women are referencing menopause or perimenopause as a reason for seeking treatment, up from 28 percent last year.<\/p>\n
At the same time, 66 percent report a rise in eyelid procedures to look less tired, and 50 percent say patients are seeking cosmetic treatments to remain competitive in the workforce.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are moving toward more personalized, natural and longevity-focused care,\u201d says Dr. Brissett. \u201cNonsurgical treatments now account for roughly 80 percent of procedures, reflecting demand for subtle options. Technology is enhancing communication and access, but expertise and specialized training remain essential. As president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, I see a future defined by thoughtful planning and results that age well, not trends that come and go.\u201d<\/p>\n
The survey also shows continued balance between men and women. One in four surgeons report that otoplasty (ear surgery), nonsurgical hair restoration, chin augmentation, facial implants, rhinoplasty, revision surgery, PRP injections, fat-dissolving injections and noninvasive energy-based fat reduction are now performed about equally in women and men.<\/p>\n
Hair transplantation remains more common among men, but the numbers are shifting. The percentage of surgeons reporting hair transplantation as mostly male has dropped from 50 percent in 2019 to 33 percent, while practices reporting more female than male hair transplant patients have risen from 11 percent to 17 percent. Surgeons also report performing about twice as many hair restoration treatments in 2025 as in 2024.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n