Some attribute it to shows like “Dr. 90210,” “Extreme Makeover,” and “Nip/Tuck.” Others cite the “Oprah effect.” But as cosmetic surgery rises in popularity, it is likely that it has just as much to do with the way that Baby Boomers live their lives.
The topic was discussed at length in USA Today. According to the paper, Baby Boomers are working longer, remarrying, and trying to be healthier. “I just [want] to look as young as I feel,” said a 59-year old business owner who explained that he ate well and worked out, but supplemented his overall health regimen with cosmetic surgery. This sentiment is shared by millions of other Baby Boomers. Diet and exercise remain important to staying in shape, but while their bodies and lifestyles may not belie their age, their faces often do. Signs of aging such as baldness, crow’s feet, wrinkles, and sun damage cannot be rectified without surgical or non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
Because of this, some Baby Boomers are viewing cosmetic surgery as preventive medicine, much like visiting a dentist every six months. This shift is made possible partially by technological advances, which allow cosmetic procedures to be less intrusive than they once were. Surgical procedures, such as facelifts, liposuction and eyelid surgery have benefited from more precise tools that allow smaller incisions and faster recovery times. Meanwhile, other procedures, such as Botox, chemical peels and hair removal, do not require surgery at all.
It is often said that “30 is the new 20” and “40 and is the new 30” and so forth—and with cosmetic surgery, this is becoming even more true. Baby Boomers are claiming that cosmetic surgery helps them keep an edge not just in the dating scene, but also in high profile jobs. Dr. Amy Bandy, a Newport Beach plastic surgeon, often performs facial procedures and other types of cosmetic surgery for Baby Boomers in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. This may give them a more youthful look so they have the confidence to re-enter the workplace, pursue new romance, and/or otherwise continue an active, outgoing lifestyle.
As Baby Boomers continue to embrace their physical, professional, and social lives to the fullest, it seems as if the youth-restoring capabilities of cosmetic surgery make a perfect fit.