Cosmetic surgery used to be private. At work, it's becoming small talk.

"When Jennifer Vaughan, 55, returned to work as a substitute teacher after her facelift, nobody said anything outright. Vaughan worried, "God, is it not enough of a difference that somebody isn't asking?" However, there were signs her coworkers were just being polite. One teacher did a double take and stammered their way through asking if something had changed. She told a few other teachers, and said, "They were like, 'Okay, I thought something was up, but I wasn't totally sure.'""

"With the return-to-office era in full swing, we're seeing our coworkers in person more often. Those with a new face, body, or waistline can't hide behind a camera-off virtual meeting. It's a tricky line to toe; yes, your appearance has changed - hopefully in a way you enjoy - but is it worth drawing attention to? How will coworkers respond, and should they?"

Jennifer Vaughan, 55, returned to work as a substitute teacher after a facelift and initially received no outright comments, prompting uncertainty about whether the change was noticeable. Coworkers sometimes showed subtle signs, including double takes and hesitant questions, and some acknowledged noticing later. Nearly 1.6 million Americans opted for cosmetic surgery in 2024, following a pandemic-era increase of 19% in procedures from 2019 to 2022. The return-to-office trend increases face-to-face visibility, making surgical or aesthetic changes harder to conceal. Appearance changes can influence workplace dynamics, prompt choices about disclosure, and intersect with evidence that attractiveness can yield wage advantages. Some workers share procedures openly while others keep them secret.

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