Wondering what will be trending in 2018 when it comes to cosmetic surgery? See what our surgeons say is in or out. 

The official figures on aesthetic surgery trends in 2017 aren’t out yet but our Harley Street SKINtellectuals are here to give you a sneak peak of they think they’ll show and what will be trending in 2018.

Consultant plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon and British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) spokesperson, Reza Nassab says the past few years has seen more clients turning away from invasive surgeries and he’s expecting that to continue.

“That’s certainly the way it’s been in my own practice. People are wanting procedures that have less downtime and a quicker recovery time”, says Mr Nassab who has practices in London and Cheshire. 

He’s seen more people asking for

• dermal fillers,
• non-surgical rhinoplasty (nose job),
• tear trough procedures (for dark circles and puffy eyes) and
• thread lifts (non-surgical facelifts).

And it’s not just woman who are asking.

“We’ve seen an increase in male patients, mainly for injectables -Botox and fillers- and for hair transplants.”

But that doesn’t mean that surgeons will be closing their operating theatres anytime soon. Breast, butt and tummy tuck procedures are perennially popular, but they way they’re being done is changing. Surgeons are modifying their procedures where possible to make them less invasive with a quicker recovery time.

Innovative and adaptation

Consultant plastic Surgeon, Nora Nugent from Purity Bridge in Tunbridge Wells says “more and more patients are looking for procedures that can be done under local anaesthesia such as local anaesthetic (awake surgery) facelifts, eyelid lifts and ear reshaping.  This allows very safe surgery with quicker recovery times.”

Mr Dan Marsh, a founder of The Plastic Surgery Group in Harley Street agrees.  When it comes to breast surgery he’s noticed a demand for less scaring and minimal down time as well. As a result, his clinic has adapted its surgical techniques to offer what’s known as a ‘short scar’ or ‘secret breast augmentation’.

“This uses a novel funnel to insert the breast implants through a much smaller hole than is traditionally used, and the result if a much smaller scar.

One things that’s helping achieve that is that many women are ‘downsizing’ their breast sizes.

Mr Nassab says breast lifts are always popular procedures but what people are asking for is changing.

Downsizing for a more natural look

“People are wanting a more natural look. Before they’d come and say I want people to know I’ve had them done, but they’re no longer saying I want people to know. Now most are saying they want them to look natural.”

He says many are women who’ve had children who are just wanting a bit of volume restored to the top of their breasts.

Ms Nugent says “3D imagery and simulation of implant appearances before surgery is really helping my patients to make the best choice for themselves.”

Mr Marsh adds that “smaller implants mean smaller scars and faster recovery.  We are not yet at the point where this can be done under local anaesthetic but certainly the shorter anaesthetic time leads to a shorter recovery time.”

The End of Implants?

But Mr Naveen Cavale, cosmetic & reconstructive plastic surgeon is making a bold prediction. He believes adaptations in surgical techniques may mean the days of silicone breast implants could be numbered.

“Essentially, I think 2018 will be the year for fat transfer to the breasts. It might be the ‘start of the end’ for silicone implants. Fat transfer is now seen as safe, and does not need redoing every 10-15 years, unlike implants.

“Fat transfer kills 2 birds with one stone: you can lose fat where you don’t want it and gain it where you do. Win win!

“It’s a bit more expensive initially, however with no need for change of I’ll implants will probably work out cheaper in long run,” he says.

Butt lifts are another example where a fat transfer works well and that it too is being revolutionised to meet patient’s expectations, according to Mr Marsh.

“We expect the trend for Brazilian Buttlifts to continue into 2018 as we are having excellent results using a new method of fat transfer which is an entirely closed system so the fat can be harvested and reinjected with the same canister – this we call the BEST (Buttock-Enhancing Speedy Transfer) Buttlift.  Traditionally fat would be removed with one system then transferred into syringes before being re-injected. This is not only time consuming but also lowers the rate of fat survival.”

And while people may be opting for smaller “the opposite is true for bottoms”, says Nora Nugent as people seek “to create a fuller, curvier behind”.

While bigger butts may be the thing to aspire too, may people are starting to lose weight in other areas and that means loose skin. Mr Nassab says he saw a rise in demand for the procedure in 2017 and he’s expecting that to continue in 2018.

“We’re seeing a lot of patients in for tummy tucks. With the growth of slimming clubs people are losing weight and want to have the extra skin removed.”

The weight loss and a healthier approach to life is what non-surgical aesthetic practitioners are seeing too. Click here to see what’s trending in non-surgical aesthetics.

Remember, if you are planning on having any surgical or non-surgical cosmetic work, always make sure your doctor is fully qualified, on the GMC register or GMC specialist register, is insured, is CQC approved and has done the appropriate training to perform the procedure your are after. 

You can book with the surgeons mentioned in this article here:

http://harleystreetemporium.com/doctors/