Cosmetic surgery is increasing in popularity across all age groups, a fact supported by statistics from the British Association for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) that report 34,187 cosmetic procedures were undertaken in the UK last year alone, five percent more than in 2007 and more than triple the amount since 2003.

According to Douglas McGeorge, Immediate Past President of BAAPS and consultant plastic surgeon at Spire Cheshire Hospital, this increase is a direct reflection of the rise in less invasive, more subtle treatments: “While some previous methods of cosmetic surgery aimed to change the way a person looked, they can now help you to look younger and healthier without altering facial feature or body parts.”

With so many new treatments and technologies available it’s easy to become confused as to which ones are best suited to particular age groups.  So to provide some guidance on when’s best to nip, tuck, fill or refine, Spire Healthcare has compiled the following guide to surgery through the ages…

20s

Bones don’t stop growing until your late teens, so if you are unhappy with the appearance of your nose, your 20s would be a good time to have a rhinoplasty (a nose job).  Skin tends to be suppler during your 20s and can adjust more quickly to the changes made during this procedure. 

Breast augmentation is also a popular procedure for this age group as breasts stop developing properly at this stage in life.  In fact it was the most common procedure for 20 and 30 year olds across the Spire Group’s 36 hospitals in 2008.

30s

Permanent wrinkles start to develop in your late 30s, so non-invasive fillers, botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox and other non-surgical treatments can help keep a youthful and fresh appearance. 

Instead of pulling skin tighter in an effort to reduce wrinkles, the facial fillers are injected to ‘fill out’ parts of the face to reduce signs of aging - and can also erase unsightly scars from acne or chicken pox. Other treatments can relax the muscles and etch away the signs of aging, fading wrinkles and relaxing frown lines.

Tummy tucks are also common amongst this age group and are especially popular amongst women who have had children or who have undergone rapid weight loss resulting in sagging skin around the tummy. 

40s

Throughout the 40s fillers and other non-surgical treatments are popular methods used to stave off any loose or sagging skin.  Also popular amongst this age group is photorejuvenation, which can help to improve sun damage, skin texture and red veins. These non-surgical solutions are also commonly requested because they can prevent the need for a facelift in later life.

However, this is the decade when many people consider facial surgery. Blephoraplsty (lifting sagging eyelids or removing eye-bags) can make a big difference to your looks, as can lip enhancement for people who have found their lips thinning with age. 

Mini facelifts or brow lifts offer an alternative for those who want the benefits of a full face with a less invasive approach.

50s

Laser skin resurfacing is a non invasive method used to stimulate collagen growth.  The procedure, suited to mature skins, uses a beam of light radiation to destroy the surface layer of skin and stimulate the growth of new collagen fibres.  New skin forms which are softer and less wrinkled.

Varicose veins and age spots also begin showing at this age.  While there are a number of non-invasive surgical treatments available to combat both, according to Douglas McGeorge, the increased choice can often lead to confusion and bad patient decisions: “It’s really important to choose the right surgeon.  Laser treatments can now be undertaken in local beauty salons but they don’t always deliver the desired result.  My recommendation is that you use a qualified medical professional.  That way you’ll get a good result and you’ll have peace of mind.”

60s

Silver surgery is booming as the older generation proves that looking good is no longer the domain of the young.  New figures from Spire Healthcare reveal three times as many women of his age are having cosmetic surgery compared to five years ago.  And men in their 60s are now embracing surgery almost as much as women.*

Facelifts are common amongst this age group. According to Spire’s surgeons their reasons are split into three – they either have a child getting married and want to look youthful as the mother or father of the bride; they are going to the gym and working hard to look good but their reflection lets them down; or they are spurred on by their grandchildren making comments about their wrinkles.

So in 2009, cosmetic surgery is no longer for young people.  Doug McGeorge says: “I see people in their mid 80s who are looking for a little surgery to enhance them.  There is definitely a feel good factor driving this.”

No matter which procedure you consider one rule applies above all others: make sure you choose your surgeon wisely.  Check they are registered with the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) or British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS).  Doug McGeorge concludes: “Ask to see before and after pictures of previous patients, and try to meet the rest of the medical team. Don’t be afraid to ask for more information, and only agree to go ahead with the treatment if you feel 100% happy.”

For more information on Spire Healthcare visit http://www.spirehealthcare.com/