Weight loss drugs cited as growing number of men opt to get facelifts

Growing numbers of men and younger people are getting facelifts, a trend driven by social media, advances in surgical techniques and the rise of weight loss drugs.

- Sarah Marsh Consumer affairs correspondent

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.

The BAAPS president, Nora Nugent, a consultant plastic surgeon, said the changes reflected growing awareness that surgery could achieve natural, durable results without the constant upkeep of fillers.

But experts warn that facelifts remain major surgery, carrying risks including scarring, nerve damage, infection and uneven results.

Recovery typically takes weeks and facelifts will last for only 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: