More baby boomers eager to fight the onslaught of time are resorting to facelifts, eyelid surgery, Botox and fillers.
Those are the most popular anti-aging procedures, according to new figures from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS).
The number of facelifts performed in the United States by AACS members last year increased 44% from the year before. Blepharoplasty, or eyelid lifts, were up 42%, while the use of Botox climbed 157% and fillers soared 245%.
"The baby boomers are getting older but they still feel young and they want to look that way too," said Mark Berman, the president of AACS. "I think this might come as a surprise to the public when they see just how many baby boomers are trying to slow down the aging process."
50+ patients go for invasive procedures
Patients in their 50s tended to go for the more invasive procedures such as facelifts, while those in their mid-40s opted for Botox and fillers.
Overall, liposuction was the most commonly offered invasive surgery. Forehead lift and abdominoplasty, rounded out the top five most popular procedures, which the AACS said haven't changed since 2008.
Women far surpassed men in opting for cosmetic procedures, with 15 million choosing to try to hold back time last year, compared to 2.5 million men, according to the poll 1 643 member of the AACS.
Facelifts were also the most expensive procedure with the mean cost about $7,032, compared to $6,845 for abdominoplasty and $6,532 for breast reduction surgery.
Among less invasive procedures fat injections were the priciest at US$2 225 with laser resurfacing at US$2 221 and fillers, which cost about US$708, not far behind. - (Reuters Health, April 2010)