The traditional image of facelifts is changing. Once associated with the wealthy and middle-aged, the cosmetic procedure is now gaining popularity among people in their 20s and 30s. Social media feeds are increasingly filled with posts discussing various facelift types — from mini and ponytail lifts to the deep-plane facelift — as younger generations embrace surgical enhancements once considered taboo.
Celebrities such as Kris Jenner, Catt Sadler and Marc Jacobs have spoken openly about undergoing facelifts, further reducing the stigma once attached to cosmetic surgery. For many, the goal is achieving the “snatched look” — defined cheekbones, a sharp jawline and lifted eyes.
Emily, a 28-year-old businesswoman from Toronto, said her surgery in Turkey was “life-changing.” She underwent six procedures, including a mid-face lift, lip lift and rhinoplasty. “I fell asleep, woke up and had a new face and a new nose,” she said. The recovery took months, and while she has no regrets, she admits, “If I knew what I know now, I might not have gone through with it.”
According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), facelifts in the UK increased by 8% over the past year, with more younger clients now seeking the procedure. BAAPS President Nora Nugent attributes the rise to improved techniques and the growing use of weight-loss drugs that can lead to loose skin. “A facelift can help correct that,” she said.
Surgeons caution, however, that it remains a major operation and should only be performed by certified professionals. Procedures now range from £15,000 to £45,000 in the UK, though some clinics — particularly in Turkey — offer them at much lower prices.
Despite warnings, medical tourism for cosmetic surgery in Turkey continues to surge due to affordability. Julia Gilando, 34, said she travelled there for an $8,000 facelift to correct facial asymmetry. “It was a mental rollercoaster,” she said. “There were dark times, but I trusted my gut.”
Experts warn that younger people may be under growing social pressure to alter their appearance. “AI, filters and online comparisons are fuelling unrealistic beauty standards,” said Dr. Kirsty Garbett from the University of West England’s Centre for Appearance Research. “Cosmetic procedures are becoming dangerously normalised.”
While some, like TV personality Caroline Stanbury, 47, celebrate the results — calling her facelift “the best thing I’ve ever done” — surgeons urge restraint. Belgian plastic surgeon Alexis Verpaele said multiple surgeries over a lifetime can cause irreversible damage. “If someone starts facelifts in their 20s, they might need three by age 60,” he warned. “That’s a lot of trauma for one face to endure.”