Are You “Too Old” for Cosmetic Procedures?

Cosmetic ProceduresMany factors are reviewed before you can undergo a cosmetic procedure or body contouring in Manhattan – that could be your candidature, type of procedure, recovery time and so on. However, many people are also concerned about age requirements to undergo a cosmetic procedure. There are minimum age requirements set for cosmetic procedures in the U.S. However, whether there is an age that could be considered “too old” would depend upon the patient.

Americans are becoming more fit and living longer, consequently there are a growing number of seniors. Many seniors want to age gracefully and some of them who wish their appearance more accurately reflected how they feel, are seeking out innovative cosmetic procedures. Your health and your expectations play a significant role in deciding your candidature for cosmetic surgery.

Typically, you and your doctor would discuss three important factors to determine if a procedure is safe and effective for your age. The three factors are:

  • Your health: Make sure you discuss your health complications if any, so that your surgeon can review your medical history and suggest a safe option for you. Usually, patients who have a history of heart attack or stroke are not good candidates for elective surgery. Patients who have a lot of general health conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, may also not be suitable candidates.
  • Desired results: Maintaining realistic expectations regarding results is most important especially for older people, because a facelift or other cosmetic surgery will not make people who are in their 70s or 80s look like they are 30 or 40. Even though they can improve their appearance and self-confidence, changes can be very subtle.
  • Wide variety of procedures: There are many cosmetic procedures that involve complexities, risk and varied recovery times. You may not be an ideal candidate for anesthesia, and then you should consider opting for non-invasive surgeries that do not involve general anesthesia. You have to understand that as you age, recovery time could also change, i.e. an older person may have a more difficult recovery from some procedures, while other recoveries may be easier to handle.

According to a report in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, data from the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) shows that older patients, as well as other age groups, tend to opt to have more non-surgical cosmetic procedures than surgical procedures; however, both the non-surgical and surgical segments are increasing. It’s seen that skin rejuvenation treatments, facelift NYC, and eyelid surgeries are the common cosmetic surgeries opted by older people. Surveys say that one of the major reasons for this increasing numbers is that older adults have concerns about their looks which they fear could impact their career. They want to stay competitive in their workplace with younger colleagues.

A Dermatology Times report says that some surgeons are of the opinion that skin rejuvenation treatments are best undergone at an early age like 20s or 30s. They say that this could minimize the etched facial lines that typically develop as you age and reach your 40s or 50s. It is best that the plastic surgeon discusses the procedure with the candidate and set up a plan of action and an ongoing concept of how to reduce the signs of aging over time. Such an approach would ensure minimal intervention in later years and less expenditure over the years.

If you want to perform cosmetic surgery in Manhattan, find an AAAASF-accredited plastic surgery center to ensure a safe and efficient procedure, no matter what your age is. Expert plastic surgeons will examine you, consider your aesthetic goals, and recommend the ideal procedure for you.