Facial enhancements extend beyond reversing signs of aging; some youth opt for surgery to refine facial attributes.
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Kim Haberly's brunette locks cascade past her shoulders, hiding a tale of recent surgeries. Her almond eyes hold remnants of a healing bruise. Two small indentations dot her hairline - the aftermath of a recent temple lift. Despite a partial buccal fat removal, her face still appears plump. But, her swollen complexion belies the reality - she's just slept on her side.
A video call from a Turkish hotel reveals more. Two fresh incisions sit near her right ear, hinting at a recent facelift. "I've got a bit bloated today," Haberly told CNN with a chuckle, her face turned towards the camera. Last month, she ventured 7,700 miles from Perth, Australia for a deep plane facelift, an advanced procedure that lifts both the outer brow and the complex network of tissue and muscles beneath.
At 37, Haberly is almost a decade younger than the average facelift candidate in Australia, and nearly double the age of the typical candidate highlighted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Traditionally, facelifts have been synonymous with the elderly. In the US, over 60% of facelift patients in 2023 were aged 55-69, according to ASPS. Likewise, Generation X - those aged 45-60 - were the primary age group seeking facelifts in Australia that year, according to the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine. Interestingly, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) reported that facelifts are "more common among those 50 and above."
However, the trend is shifting. In the last few years, an increasing number of younger people have opted for facelifts, not as an anti-aging method, but to refine their features, growing up in a digital era where their appearances are constantly on show. According to the ASPS, the number of facelift patients aged 20-29 and 30-39 increased by 7% compared to the previous year, while those from the 40-54 age group grew by just 3%.
Dr. Jonathan Zelken, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Newport Beach, California, whose clientele ranges from teenagers to seniors, has noticed a shift in his patients' goals. They no longer aim for wrinkle reduction but seek to enhance their natural features. "It's not a rejuvenation strategy," Dr. Zelken explained. "It's a beautification strategy."
A New Era
Who was the first 'facelift' patient? Records trace the earliest known facelift back to Berlin's Charite Hospital over 120 years ago. In 1901, Dr. Eugene von Holländer, an ambitious German doctor, was approached by a Polish aristocrat wanting smoother skin. Holländer's notes suggest she was similar in age to the average facelift candidate.
Today, the surgery is once again breaking new ground, this time with those under 40. It's a controversial move, but Dr. Zelken supports the growing interest from this demographic, some of whom have become his "favorites." "It's like doing a filter for social media in real life by doing these procedures," he said, referencing the ballpark range of $30,000 to $100,000 per facelift in Southern California. However, he cautions against operating on those under 30, explaining, "It's hard to put an age minimum on this procedure."
Emily Cipryk was 28 when she flew from Toronto, Canada to Istanbul, Turkey for a deep plane mid-facelift, among other surgeries. The total cost of her transformative procedures? €13,000 (approximately $14,140). "I did six procedures in one go so I could get it all done," she said, sharing her happiness with the results, but cautioning against rushing into surgery without thorough research and careful selection of surgeons.
The Digital Age and Social Pressure
In an era of Instagram influencers and TikTok stars, it's no surprise that social media plays a significant role in shaping beauty standards. Catherine, a 33-year-old from Southern California, spends much of her time on social media, admiring the flawless appearances of those in her age group. For Haberly, her decision to undergo a facelift was partly driven by negativity on social media. "I remember thinking, 'What if this pain never goes away?'" she said, recalling the intense pain following her surgery. Yet, she remains hopeful about the results.
Some surgeons, however, are wary of operating on younger patients. Dr. Kelly Killeen, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, questions whether younger patients fully understand what a facelift can and cannot accomplish. "Face-tuning apps play a role in this," she explains, pointing to the disconnect between filtered images and real-life expectations.
While the debate over the appropriateness of facelifts for the young continues, some individuals are undeterred, seeking to "enjoy their youth" while they can. As Haberly puts it, "I want it now while I'm traveling the world and my face is everywhere."
Kim Haberly's choice of undergoing a facelift at the age of 37 showcases the shifting trend in the industry, as more young individuals, like Haberly, seek such procedures not as an anti-aging method but to refine their features. For Haberly, this decision was partly influenced by social media negativity. Despite her young age, Dr. Jonathan Zelken, a board-certified plastic surgeon, sees a growing interest from this demographic, referencing the increase in the number of facelift patients aged 20-29 and 30-39. However, he cautions against operating on those under 30, as it's hard to put an age minimum on the procedure.
