What's on the horizon? Plastic surgery trends for 2025
Plastic surgeons may not have a crystal ball. Still, they work with so many patients throughout the year that many surgeons get an innate feeling for which procedures are popular, which are declining and which buzzworthy procedures are poised to take off.
No one can tell you what the new year will hold. If that were the case, everyone would place bets and get ready to head into the new year a little richer. However, experienced plastic surgeons can examine the trends in 2024, review the significant breakthroughs in plastic surgery technology and see what's popular across the pond to better understand the plastic surgery trends that could take the industry by storm in 2025.
"Undetectable" tweaks
Kelly Killeen, MD, believes the "barely there" plastic surgery trend will continue throughout 2025.
"Patients are wanting subtle augmentations in both the breasts and buttocks now with the 'keep them guessing attitude,'" said Dr. Killeen. "We are also starting to see more people downsizing their breasts and buttocks from prior surgery as well."
The "natural" plastic surgery aesthetic has been tremendous, but you may not have noticed. The emphasis is on creating a more subtle look that enhances a person's natural aesthetic without tipping people off that the result is because of plastic surgery.
Beautiful breasts
One of the technological innovations approved by the FDA in 2024 that will continue creating buzz into 2025 is the new Motiva breast implants.
"Motiva breast implants have taken the USA by storm," said Roy Kim, MD. "Without getting too much into the hype, I do think these implants are more technologically advanced than the current models offered."
The innovative design of Motiva implants helps reduce capsular contracture, is suitable for placement over muscle tissue instead of underneath and mimics breast tissue's natural shape and feel. Perfect for achieving the natural breast aesthetic and other looks, these next-generation implants focus on putting patient health and safety first and could be a popular choice for breast augmentation heading into 2025.
Fetching figures
Josef Hadeed, MD, FACS, said his office will probably continue to be "bullish" on waistline reduction with rib modeling. The procedure, new to the United States, gained traction with patients in 2024, and he said patients keep asking him about it.
"This is a new, innovative technique to narrow the waistline without the morbidity of rib removal surgery," said Dr. Hadeed.
He also believes patients will continue pushing for a more fit and slim torso. Although semaglutide weight loss drugs can help people shed pounds, they can't help you sculpt a trimmer torso. More patients may turn to plastic surgery to help them contour their bodies, with the popularity of these drugs at an all-time high.
"That could be accomplished with high-definition liposuction and high-definition body sculpting, which can also be combined with rib remodeling," said Dr. Hadeed. "As people are more in tune with their own personal health and fitness after the pandemic, there has been a little more of an emphasis on looking good and feeling good, particularly with high-definition body sculpting surgery to achieve a toned, defined look."
In the same vein, Dr. Kim suggested that with the surge in Americans using semaglutide weight loss drugs, there may be more demand in 2025 for skin excision procedures such as neck lifts, facelifts, breast lifts, abdominal liposuction and tummy tucks, to contour the body and remove loose skin caused by significant weight loss.
First-rate faces
Dr. Kim also said he has noticed a trend toward smaller face and neck lifts at a younger age. With less surgery, less dissection and a faster recovery, more patients may opt for minor facelift procedures at a younger age to help them avoid significant procedures 10 to 15 years later.
He also sees skincare moving in interesting directions, emphasizing skin boosters and biostimulators. Rejuran, a product made from salmon sperm and popular in South Korea, has not been FDA-approved in the U.S. as an injectable but is wildly popular outside the country since it helps stimulate collagen production and boost skin radiance. Similar products focusing on boosting the skin are also emerging on the market and may soon work their way to our shores.
Continuing to trend
ASPS statistics show a 5 percent increase in overall cosmetic surgery procedures between 2022 and 2023. There is no reason to believe that interest and demand for these procedures will decrease in 2025, with innovations, new techniques and new products hitting the market and your plastic surgeon's office.
If one of these trends caught your attention, be sure to connect with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is an ASPS member. Make it part of your New Year's resolution to prioritize your well-being when opting for any aesthetic procedure in 2025!
To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.
