Social media and weight loss drugs drive UK rise in facelifts in men and people in their 40s

"Figures from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (Baaps) show facelifts are on the rise in the UK. In 2024 there were 1,882 procedures, up 8% from the previous year. Women accounted for the majority, with numbers rising by 7% to 1,742. But the steepest increase came from men: procedures grew by 26%, from 111 in 2023 to 140 in 2024."

"But experts warn that having a facelift is still major surgery and carries risks, including scarring, nerve damage, infection and uneven results. Recovery typically takes weeks and facelifts will only last for five to 10 years. A full face and neck lift, including all fees, starts at about 15,000 and most patients pay between 20,000 and 40,000. Helena Lewis-Smith, an associate professor of psychology at the University of the West of England, said: Appearance pressure in society has never been stronger than it is now, given the availability of weight loss drugs and the normalisation of various procedures."

"Kris Jenner, who recently had a facelift, said: Just because you get older, it doesn't mean you should give up on yourself.' This reflects the idea that you cannot age and that there is now immense pressure to look eternally young, one of the reasons people undergo procedures. While women are more vulnerable to this pressure, men are also being judged by their looks, getting hair transplants and, unsurprisingly, facelifts."

Facelifts in the UK increased to 1,882 procedures in 2024, an 8% rise from 2023, with women accounting for 1,742 procedures and male procedures rising 26% to 140. The growth is linked to social media, improved surgical techniques that produce more natural, durable outcomes, and the wider availability of weight-loss drugs that normalise cosmetic interventions. Facelifts remain major surgeries with risks including scarring, nerve damage, infection and uneven results. Recovery typically takes weeks and results last five to ten years. A full face-and-neck lift usually starts around £15,000, with most patients paying £20,000–£40,000.

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