Cosmetic surgery has moved into the mainstream in recent decades, with procedures becoming more accessible and socially accepted than ever before. The growth of the cosmetic surgery industry reflects a shift in attitudes towards aesthetic procedures, changing beauty standards, and advances in medical technology.
In this article, we’ll discuss statistics that paint a picture of just how common surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures are, the most popular treatments, and how this has changed over time. We will also look into what motivates people to get plastic surgery and other types of aesthetic treatments.
Key statistics
- Globally, approximately 38 million surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures took place in 2024.
- According to worldwide figures, eyelid surgery was the most common cosmetic surgical procedure in 2024, with a total of 2,115,360 procedures carried out globally.
- There were 27,462 cosmetic surgical procedures carried out by plastic surgeons in the UK in 2024, a 5% increase compared to 2023.
- Women make up the vast majority of cosmetic surgery patients in the UK, with 93.5% of all surgeries and a total of 25,663.
- Breast augmentations are the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the UK, with 5,202 in total in 2024.
- In the U.S., 1,585,878 cosmetic surgical procedures were carried out in 2024, a 1% increase compared to 2023; this equates to 4.6 procedures per 1,000 people.
- The most common surgical procedure in the U.S. is liposuction, with a total of 349,728 procedures in 2024, up 1% from the previous year.
- Neuromodulator injections are the most common non-invasive procedures, with a total of 9,883,711 carried out in the U.S. in 2024.
Global cosmetic surgery statistics
The latest data from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) as of 2024 estimates that a total of 38 million surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures were carried out in 2024.
Most popular cosmetic surgery procedures worldwide
Globally, eyelid surgery was the most common surgical procedure in 2024, with a total of 2,115,360, and an increase of 13.4% compared to 2023. Eyelid surgery also overtook liposuction as the most common cosmetic surgical procedure.
The top five cosmetic surgical procedures worldwide are:
- Eyelid Surgery: 2,115,360 (+13.4%)
- Liposuction: 2,087,189 (-12.6%)
- Breast Augmentation: 1,658,615 (-17.5%)
- Scar Revision: 1,156,446
- Rhinoplasty: 1,083,631 (-9.8%)
Among women around the world, liposuction is the most common cosmetic surgery (1,792,323 procedures), while for men, eyelid surgery tops the list (489,763 procedures).
Facial bone contouring procedures saw the biggest increase between 2023 and 2024, rising by 44.1%, while buttock lifts had the biggest decline in 2024 at 31.2%.Other procedures in the top ten globally include abdominoplasty (1,036,236 procedures), facial fat grafting (947,007), and breast lifts (772,138 procedures).
| Rank | Surgical Procedure | Total 2024 | YoY Change |
| 1 | Eyelid Surgery | 2,115,360 | +13.4% |
| 2 | Liposuction | 2,087,189 | -12.6% |
| 3 | Breast Augmentation | 1,658,615 | -17.5% |
| 4 | Scar Revision | 1,156,446 | N/A |
| 5 | Rhinoplasty | 1,083,631 | -9.8% |
| 6 | Abdominoplasty | 1,036,236 | -15.3% |
| 7 | Fat Grafting – Face | 947,007 | +19.2% |
| 8 | Breast Lift | 772,138 | -19.9% |
| 9 | Face Lift | 737,028 | +7.4% |
| 10 | Lip Enhancement/Perioral Procedure | 730,752 | -23.9% |
| 11 | Breast Reduction | 652,676 | -10.4% |
| 12 | Buttock Augmentation | 644,770 | -21.5% |
| 13 | Brow Lift | 524,386 | +27.5% |
| 14 | Neck Lift | 477,624 | -0.8% |
| 15 | Gynecomastia | 383,656 | +1.9% |
| 16 | Ear Surgery | 363,754 | 3.8% |
| 17 | Breast Implant Removal | 341,971 | -4.4% |
| 18 | Facial Bone Contouring | 237,188 | +44.1% |
| 19 | Buccal Fat Removal | 229,688 | N/A |
| 20 | Upper Arm Lift | 212,223 | -19.4% |
| 21 | Labiaplasty | 210,633 | +3.7% |
| 22 | Thigh Lift | 136,522 | -13.6% |
| 23 | Lower Body Lift | 119,706 | -12.7% |
| 24 | Hand Rejuvenation with Fat Grafting | 100,093 | N/A |
| 25 | Inverted Nipple Correction | 98,512 | N/A |
| 26 | Other Outer Genital Surgery | 87,179 | N/A |
| 27 | Buttock Lift | 80,610 | -31.2% |
| 28 | Surgical Vaginal Rejuvenation | 75,719 | -15.8% |
| 29 | Upper Body Lift | 63,074 | -15.5% |
| 30 | Dimple Creation | 51,291 | N/A |
| Total Surgical Procedures | 17,415,678 | -6.7% |
Source [1]
Most common cosmetic surgeries by age group worldwide
As well as gender differences in plastic surgery choices, the types of procedures people in different age groups choose also vary.
Data from ISAPS as of 2024 shows that breast augmentations are most common among people aged 18-34 years old.
For middle-aged people, liposuction is the most common surgical procedure, with over 900,000 people aged 35-50 opting to undergo this surgery.
The table below shows the age distribution of patients undertaking certain cosmetic procedures globally in 2024.
| Age Group | Breast Augmentation | Liposuction | Rhinoplasty | External Genital Surgery | Non-Surgical Fat Reduction | |||||
| 18-34 years old | 895,652 | 54.0% | 891,230 | 42.7% | 651,262 | 60.1% | 180,789 | 48.4% | 286,757 | 40.8% |
| 35-50 years old | 620,322 | 37.4% | 901,666 | 43.2% | 314,253 | 29.0% | 151,280 | 40.5% | 279,729 | 39.8% |
| 51-64 years old | 114,444 | 6.9% | 242,114 | 11.6% | 61,767 | 5.7% | 30,256 | 8.1% | 100,506 | 14.3% |
| 65 years or older | 14,928 | 0.9% | 29,221 | 1.4% | 10,836 | 1.0% | 4,109 | 1.1% | 22,491 | 3.2% |
Source [1]
UK cosmetic surgery statistics
There were 27,462 surgical cosmetic procedures performed by board-certified plastic surgeons who are members of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) in the UK in 2024, including breast augmentations, facelifts, and liposuction. There was a 5% rise in the total number of cosmetic surgical procedures between 2023 and 2024.
The vast majority of cosmetic surgeries (93.5%) were carried out for women in 2024, with a total of 25,663 procedures for female patients, compared to 1,799 procedures for male patients. [2]
5-year change in surgical cosmetic procedures
The number of surgical procedures in the UK has fluctuated in the past five years, influenced by the fact that many elective surgeries were cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data shows that there was a 38.6% reduction in elective surgeries (including plastic surgery) in the UK in 2020. [3]
The chart below shows that cosmetic surgical procedures declined by 27.4% from 21,224 to 15,405 between 2020 and 2021 as surgery cancellations continued. Procedures more than doubled between 2021 and 2022, with a resurgence following the relaxation of pandemic-related restrictions.
Data note: Figures refer to procedures carried out by BAAPS-member plastic surgeons in the UK.
Source [4]
Most popular surgical procedures in the UK
When looking at all cosmetic surgical procedures carried out in the UK in 2024, breast augmentations were the most common, with a total of 5,202 breast augmentations, a 6% increase in this procedure compared to 2023.
Browlifts saw the largest increase compared to 2023, with 20% more procedures in 2024.
The top five cosmetic surgical procedures across men and women in the UK in 2024 were:
- Breast Augmentation: 5,202 (+6%)
- Breast Reduction: 4,707 (+1%)
- Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery): 3,138 (+13%)
- Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck): 2,997 (+6%)
- Liposuction: 2,623 (+8%)
Other procedures in the top ten in the UK in 2024 include rhinoplasty (1,938), face and neck lifts (1,882), and fat transfer (1,400).
It should be noted that the data throughout this piece refers to the number of procedures carried out each year, rather than the number of people who undergo cosmetic surgery. Someone who undergoes a mummy makeover (typically involving a tummy tuck and a breast procedure), for example, would be counted as two separate procedures.
| Total men and women | ||||||
| Procedure | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 5-year change |
| Breast augmentation | 4,702 | 4,023 | 6,707 | 4,924 | 5,202 | 10.6% |
| Breast Reduction | 3,290 | 2,528 | 5,613 | 4,641 | 4,707 | 43.1% |
| Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) | 2,481 | 1,597 | 2,778 | 2,769 | 3,138 | 26.5% |
| Abdominoplasty | 2,112 | 1,488 | 3,413 | 2,830 | 2,997 | 41.9% |
| Liposuction | 1,596 | 1,275 | 3,002 | 2,424 | 2,623 | 64.3% |
| Rhinoplasty | 1,994 | 1,330 | 2,220 | 1,950 | 1,938 | -2.8% |
| Face/Neck Lift | 1,529 | 901 | 1,772 | 1,742 | 1,882 | 23.1% |
| Fat Transfer | 1,029 | 675 | 1,587 | 1,330 | 1,400 | 36.1% |
| Breast Implant Removal | 783 | 592 | 1,008 | 846 | 805 | 2.8% |
| Otoplasty (ear correction) | 794 | 469 | 783 | 648 | 663 | -16.5% |
| Browlift | 337 | 152 | 400 | 402 | 481 | 42.7% |
| Brachioplasty | 278 | 184 | 439 | 389 | 439 | 57.9% |
| Thigh Lift | 167 | 109 | 261 | 229 | 283 | 69.5% |
| Lower Body Lift | 132 | 82 | 167 | 167 | 181 | 37.1% |
Data note: Figures refer to procedures carried out by BAAPS-member plastic surgeons in the UK.
Source [2]
Most popular cosmetic surgical procedures among UK women
The most common cosmetic surgical procedure among women in the UK in 2024 was breast augmentation, with a total of 5,194, and a 6% increase compared to 2023.
Brow lifts and thigh lifts saw the biggest increase in popularity among women in the UK, both increasing by 25% from 2023 to 2024.
Across women only, the top five cosmetic surgical procedures in the UK in 2024 were:
- Breast Augmentation: 5,194 (+6%)
- Breast Reduction: 4,459 (+1%)
- Abdominoplasty: 2,820 (+7%)
- Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery): 2,818 (+15%)
- Liposuction: 2,425 (+10%)
| Rank | Procedure | 2024 Total (UK Women) | Change |
| 1 | Breast augmentation | 5,194 | +6% |
| 2 | Breast Reduction | 4,459 | +1% |
| 3 | Abdominoplasty | 2,820 | +7% |
| 4 | Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) | 2,818 | +15% |
| 5 | Liposuction | 2,425 | +10% |
| 6 | Face/Neck Lift | 1,742 | +7% |
| 7 | Rhinoplasty | 1,606 | +3% |
| 8 | Fat Transfer | 1,336 | +6% |
| 9 | Breast Implant Removal | 805 | -5% |
| 10 | Labiaplasty | 635 | -7% |
| 11 | Otoplasty (ear correction) | 439 | -3% |
| 12 | Brachioplasty | 433 | +15% |
| 13 | Browlift | 429 | +25% |
| 14 | Thigh Lift | 279 | +25% |
| 15 | Lower Body Lift | 159 | +11% |
| 16 | Superficial Gluteal Lipofilling | 84 | +17% |
Data note: Figures refer to procedures carried out by BAAPS-member plastic surgeons in the UK.
Source [5]
Most popular cosmetic surgical procedures among UK men
Overall, the number of cosmetic surgical procedures carried out for men in the UK decreased by 1.5% between 2023 and 2024. The most common procedure for men was rhinoplasty, with 332 in total; however, this was a 14% decrease compared to the previous year. Face and neck lifts saw the biggest increase among men in 2024 at 26%, and a total of 140 procedures.
The top five most common cosmetic surgical procedures among men in the UK in 2024 were:
- Rhinoplasty: 332 (-14%)
- Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery): 320 (+4%)
- Breast Reduction: 248 (+2%)
- Otoplasty (ear correction): 224 (+14%)
- Liposuction: 198 (-7%)
| Rank | Procedure | 2024 Total (UK Men) | Change |
| 1 | Rhinoplasty | 332 | -14% |
| 2 | Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) | 320 | +4% |
| 3 | Breast Reduction | 248 | +2% |
| 4 | Otoplasty (ear correction) | 224 | +14% |
| 5 | Liposuction | 198 | -7% |
| 6 | Abdominoplasty | 177 | -6% |
| 7 | Face/Neck Lift | 140 | +26% |
| 8 | Fat Transfer | 64 | -10% |
| 9 | Brow lifts | 52 | -12% |
| 10 | Lower Body Lift | 22 | -8% |
| 11 | Brachioplasty | 6 | -45% |
| 12 | Thigh Lift | 4 | -20% |
| 13 | Breast augmentation | 8 | Static |
| 14 | Superficial Gluteal Lipofilling | 4 | Static |
Data note: Figures refer to procedures carried out by BAAPS-member plastic surgeons in the UK.
Source [5]
U.S. cosmetic surgery statistics
Across the U.S., there were 1,585,878 cosmetic surgical procedures carried out in 2024, a 1% increase compared to 2023, according to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Most common cosmetic surgical procedures in the U.S.
The most popular surgical procedure in the U.S. in 2024 was liposuction, with 349,728 procedures in total, an increase of 1% compared to 2023.
Cheek implants, buttock lifts, and thigh lifts saw the biggest increases in popularity, all increasing by 3% from 2023 to 2024.
The top five cosmetic surgical procedures in the U.S. in 2024 were:
- Liposuction: 349,728 (+1%)
- Breast augmentation: 306,196 (+1%)
- Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck): 171,064 (+1%)
- Breast lift (mastopexy): 153,616 (0%)
- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty): 120,755 (0%)
| Procedure | 2024 Total (US) | 2023 Total (US) | % Change |
| Liposuction | 349,728 | 347,782 | +1% |
| Breast augmentation (implant placement for both primary and/or revisions) | 306,196 | 304,181 | +1% |
| Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) | 171,064 | 170,110 | +1% |
| Breast lift (mastopexy) | 153,616 | 153,600 | 0% |
| Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) | 120,755 | 120,747 | 0% |
| Facelift (rhytidectomy) | 79,058 | 78,482 | +1% |
| Breast reduction | 76,734 | 76,031 | +1% |
| Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty) | 48,423 | 47,307 | +2% |
| Breast implant removals (augmentation patients only) | 41,271 | 41,115 | 0% |
| Facial fat grafting | 34,260 | 34,216 | 0% |
| Buttock augmentation with fat grafting | 29,466 | 29,383 | 0% |
| Breast reduction in males (gynecomastia surgery) | 26,430 | 25,888 | +2% |
| Liposuction (submental/chin) | 24,000 | 23,667 | +1% |
| Upper arm lift (brachioplasty) | 23,527 | 23,058 | +2% |
| Neck lift | 22,445 | 22,007 | +2% |
| Forehead lift | 13,621 | 13,518 | +1% |
| Lower body lift | 10,957 | 10,947 | 0% |
| Labiaplasty | 10,827 | 10,631 | +2% |
| Thigh Lift | 9,914 | 9,600 | +3% |
| Cheek implant (malar augmentation) | 9,130 | 8,825 | +3% |
| Buttock lift | 7,954 | 7,748 | +3% |
| Chin augmentation (mentoplasty) | 5,529 | 5,484 | +1% |
| Buccal fat pad removal | 4,903 | 4,866 | +1% |
| Ear surgery (otoplasty) | 4,825 | 4,817 | 0% |
| Buttock implants | 1,245 | 1,234 | +1% |
| Total | 1,585,878 | 1,575,244 | +1% |
Data note: Includes procedures performed by ASPS member surgeons only.
Source [6]
Most common minimally invasive procedures in the U.S.
The most popular minimally invasive procedure in the U.S. in 2024 was neuromodulator injection, with 9,883,711 procedures in total, an increase of 4% compared to 2023.
Skin resurfacing saw the biggest increase in popularity, increasing by 6% from 2023 to 2024, while noninvasive fat reduction saw the biggest decrease, dropping by 40%.
The top five minimally invasive cosmetic procedures in the U.S. in 2024 were:
- Neuromodulator injection: 9,883,711 (+4%)
- HA fillers: 5,331,426 (+1%)
- Skin resurfacing: 3,703,305 (+6%)
- Skin treatment using lasers: 3,112,056 (0%)
- HA fillers for lip augmentation: 1,589,502 (new category)
Notable trends include the introduction of new categories like HA fillers for lip augmentation (1,589,502 procedures) and prescribed weight loss medication (837,485 procedures), reflecting emerging aesthetic treatment options in 2024.
| Procedure | 2024 | 2023 | % Change |
| Neuromodulator injection | 9,883,711 | 9,480,949 | +4% |
| HA fillers (Juvederm Ultra Ultra Plus Voluma Volbella Vollure Restylane Lyft Restylane Silk Belotero Restylane) | 5,331,426 | 5,294,603 | +1% |
| Skin resurfacing (dermabrasion chemical peel ablative/non-ablative lasers microdermabrasion) | 3,703,305 | 3,501,696 | +6% |
| Skin treatment using lasers (laser hair removal IPL treatment laser tattoo removal laser treatment of leg veins) | 3,112,056 | 3,101,772 | 0% |
| HA fillers for lip augmentation (with injectable materials) | 1,589,502 | N/A | N/A |
| Lip augmentation (with injectable materials) | 1,449,565 | 1,439,291 | +1% |
| Non-HA fillers (Radiesse Sculptra Bellafill Renuva) | 932,861 | 924,549 | +1% |
| Prescribed weight loss medication (semaglutide tirzepatide) | 837,485 | N/A | N/A |
| Sclerotherapy | 516,883 | 515,602 | 0% |
| Noninvasive fat reduction (CoolSculpting Liposonix Emsculpt Vanquish Zerona Kybella) | 447,581 | 745,967 | -40% |
| Nonsurgical skin tightening (Pelleve Thermage Ulthera) | 439,032 | 438,211 | 0% |
| Total | 28,243,407 | 25,442,640 | +1.5% |
Data note: Includes data from ASPS members as well as non-member dermatologists and otolaryngologists.
Source [6]
Why do people choose to have cosmetic surgery?
Data from the National Library of Medicine reveals the most common reasons that people choose to have cosmetic surgery. Of those who were considering cosmetic surgical procedures, the most common reason was to increase self-confidence, with 69.5% citing this as one of their key motivations.
Other common reasons include feeling happier or improving quality of life (67.2%), treating oneself (61.3%), and looking good around people they know (56.6%).
Data note: Respondents could choose more than one answer.
Source [7]
U.S. Vs UK cosmetic surgery statistics
The data below shows how the prevalence of plastic surgery procedures differs between the UK and the U.S. Across the board, cosmetic surgery is ten times more common in the U.S. than in the UK, with an average of 0.3 people per 1,000 undergoing one of the top 12 cosmetic procedures in the U.S., compared to 0.03 per 1,000 in the UK.
There were 1.01 liposuction procedures (the most common in the U.S.) per 1,000 Americans in 2024, compared with 0.04 per 1,000 in the UK. The most common cosmetic surgical procedure in the UK, breast augmentation, is also more popular in the U.S., with 0.88 procedures per 1,000, compared to 0.07 per 1,000 in the UK.
The U.S. also has the most plastic surgeons of any country in the world, with an estimated 7,752, while the UK has around 10% of this at 729, ranking 17th globally. Per capita, this equates to 0.02 plastic surgeons per 1,000 people in the U.S. and 0.01 plastic surgeons per 1,000 people in the UK. [8]
| US | UK | |||
| Procedure | 2024 Total | Per 1,000 of population | 2024 Total | Per 1,000 of population |
| Breast augmentation | 306,196 | 0.88 | 5,202 | 0.07 |
| Breast implant removals (augmentation patients only) | 41,271 | 0.12 | 805 | 0.01 |
| Breast reduction | 76,734 | 0.22 | 4,707 | 0.07 |
| Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) | 171,064 | 0.49 | 2,997 | 0.04 |
| Labiaplasty | 10,827 | 0.03 | 635 | 0.01 |
| Liposuction | 349,728 | 1.01 | 2,623 | 0.04 |
| Thigh Lift | 9,914 | 0.03 | 283 | 0.00 |
| Upper arm lift (brachioplasty) | 23,527 | 0.07 | 439 | 0.01 |
| Ear surgery (otoplasty) | 4,825 | 0.01 | 663 | 0.01 |
| Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) | 120,755 | 0.35 | 3,138 | 0.05 |
| Facelift (rhytidectomy) | 79,058 | 0.23 | 1,882 | 0.03 |
| Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty) | 48,423 | 0.14 | 1,938 | 0.03 |
Sources [2] [6] [9]
Skin tightening, weight loss, and GLP-1
More people are seeking skin-tightening treatments than ever before. This surge spans both surgical options (like facelifts, tummy tucks, and body lifts) and non-surgical devices (radiofrequency, microneedling, and ultrasound treatments). The main driver of these treatments is the rise in popularity of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.
When people lose weight quickly using these medications, their skin can’t bounce back as fast, leaving loose skin on the face, neck, arms, and body. This is leading to a greater demand for skin-tightening procedures; the UK saw strong growth in body lifts and facial rejuvenation in 2024, and non-surgical tightening procedures are booming globally.
Moving forward, we may begin to see specialised pathways for patients who use GLP-1 medications to lose weight and choose to follow this up with cosmetic surgery. For those who have moderate skin laxity or are still losing weight, non-surgical devices may be recommended first, graduating to surgery once weight is stable and skin laxity is more severe.
The growth in skin-tightening procedures in the UK
Between 2023 and 2024, the number of skin-tightening procedures like abdominoplasty, face and neck lifts, and brachioplasty increased, showing the emerging trend for procedures that address loose skin following weight loss.
Thigh lifts saw the biggest increase during this period, with 23.6% more procedures in 2024 than in 2023, followed by blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) with a 13.3% increase.
| The change in the number of skin-tightening procedures in the UK (2023-2024) | |
| Procedure | % change |
| Blepharoplasty | 13.3% |
| Abdominoplasty | 5.9% |
| Face/Neck Lift | 8.0% |
| Brachioplasty | 12.9% |
| Thigh Lift | 23.6% |
| Lower Body Lift | 8.4% |
Sources
- ISAPS, “Global Survey 2024” https://www.isaps.org/media/lcvdjt1f/isaps-global-survey_2024.pdf
- BAAPS, “Cosmetic Surgery Trends 2024” https://baaps.org.uk/about/news/1891/cosmetic_surgery_trends_2024_facial_rejuvenation_surges_while_mens_procedures_decline/
- National Library of Medicine, “Surgical Activity in England and Wales During the COVID-19 Pandemic” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8277602/
- BAAPS, “Annual Audit Results” https://baaps.org.uk/baaps_annual_audit_results_.aspx
- BAAPS, “Analysis of BAAPS Audit – 2023-2024” https://baaps.org.uk/_userfiles/pages/files/2024_audit_results_for_2025_release_final.pdf
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, “Plastic Surgery Statistics” https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/plastic-surgery-statistics
- National Library of Medicine, “Self-Reported Patient Motivations for Seeking Cosmetic Procedures” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6233736/
- Statista, “Countries with the Highest Number of Plastic Surgeons in 2023” https://www.statista.com/statistics/293331/leading-countries-by-number-of-plastic-surgeons/
Worldometers, “Global Population Figures” https://www.worldometers.info/
