Deflating Boobs, Shrinking Butts and Little Lips: The De-Kardashian-ification of America

As a plastic surgeon who has spent my career navigating the diverse beauty standards of different cities, I must say that this article paints a fascinating picture of the aesthetic preferences across America. From the bright, bold smiles of Los Angeles to the understated elegance of New York, it’s clear that regional influences play a significant role in shaping our perceptions of beauty.

It wasn’t too long before – specifically last year – when social media was flooded with aspiring Kardashian clones: individuals with super-straight, gleaming hair, lips resembling bee stings covering dazzling white teeth, eyes adorned with mascara and a slender waist separating a large buttocks and prominent breasts. However, in harmony with the rise of Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications, this image is rapidly disappearing. Even the Kardashians themselves seem to be shrinking, as rumors swirl about reduced buttocks and dissolved fillers. Yet, as is often the case in plastic surgery, it’s all about the nuances, and these can differ significantly from one industry to another. THR inquired surgeons on both coasts to disclose what their clients are requesting nowadays.

Less (Conspicuous) Is More …

New York plastic surgeon Darren Smith notes an increase in procedures like lifts (including breast reductions) and tummy tucks, aimed at creating a slimmer, more toned midsection,” says Dr. Smith. He additionally mentions a 25% rise in mini arm lifts, these procedures subtly enhancing the appearance of the arms by making them look leaner and less scarred compared to traditional brachioplasty.

As a gamer putting on my medical glasses, I’ve noticed an impressive 20% surge in women opting for lifts this year compared to last, according to Lyle Leipziger, who heads plastic and reconstructive surgery at both North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Interestingly, the ladies seeking implants are aiming for a single step up the bra size ladder.

… But L.A. Is Gonna L.A.

In some areas, certain preferences remain consistent: Los Angeles continues to prefer larger breast implants, requesting an average of 200 cubic centimeters more per implant compared to the East Coast, according to plastic surgeon Troy Pittman.

Safer Stuff

Pittman shares that women across the country are eager for Motiva, the latest implants authorized by the FDA in September, which boast improved biocompatibility reducing the risk of rupture or capsular contraction leading to hardening. He notes that these implants have alleviated numerous safety concerns and could potentially revolutionize the field.

“Injectable Backlash”

The nation seems overwhelmed with apprehension. Dr. Annie Chiu, based in Redondo Beach, attributes this mainly to social media. She notes, “We’re experiencing a reaction against injectables, and the market for fillers has declined in ’24.” Initially, everyone was urged to adopt the heavily contoured, overfilled Instagram look, but now there’s a genuine fear of looking odd. Chiu adds that her colleagues believe Los Angeles is excessively overdone, but there are questionable procedures everywhere, particularly in Miami and Dallas, and the Housewives of New York don’t exactly embody a subtle appearance. Chiu highlights Kristin Davis’ experience on And Just Like That as an example. “She’s a quintessential New Yorker who faced online criticism for being overfilled, but she corrected it and now looks improved.

Dr. Howard Sobel, a dermatologist based in New York, shared an observation about his patients from Los Angeles: they tend to desire fuller, more curvaceous faces, which is a request less commonly made by his New York-based patients. He explained that this preference leans towards a more pronounced, feminine appearance, but such a look isn’t typically sought after in New York. Interestingly, the celebrities they present as their ideal often don’t share similar facial structures with them.

Facelifts Get a Facelift

Funny how things have shifted; nowadays, facelifts are considered less extreme compared to injectables. I’ve noticed more and more patients opting for facelifts over years of fillers. Many are firm about avoiding that ‘overfilled’ look with fat grafting. In fact, I’d say I’m performing around 80% of my facelifts without fat these days. It seems we’re stepping into a whole new era in cosmetic surgery. As a gamer, it’s fascinating to see such transformations!

Fashionably Late

traditionally, the average clients for cosmetic body work were women between their twenties and forties. However, doctors are observing a shift where people are seeking these procedures later in life than before. As Leipziger explains, “I now see women in their sixties, seventies, and even eighties coming in to have breast and tummy surgeries.

Start ‘Em Young

In my perspective as a follower of this trend, it seems that more and more people are opting for earlier and less invasive cosmetic procedures these days, which I’ve come to understand as the “tweakment movement.” Instead of waiting until aging significantly impacts their entire face, individuals in their 40s are choosing minor interventions like lower eyelid skin pinches and upper lid lifts to address hooding. These procedures are typically performed using local anesthesia, allowing for a refreshed look without altering the natural shape of the face. Similarly, I’ve noticed a significant rise in requests for mini facelifts from women around my age group.

Dermatologist Soren White remarks that doctors in Los Angeles are encountering patients seeking anti-aging treatments at increasingly younger ages. In such Los Angeles circles, it’s not extraordinary for an 18 or 20-year-old to request filler treatments; it’s considered a customary milestone.

Your Wattage May Vary

In terms of smiles, “LA offers a more striking, expansive, and impressive impact, and it’s less about achieving a natural look,” notes Larry Rosenthal, a dentist based in New York, who has catered to clients like Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, and Sumner Redstone. “In New York, the preference is for a broader smile.

Dr. Marc Lowenberg, known for caring for the smiles of celebrities like Martha Stewart, Julianna Margulies, Heidi Klum, and Cindy Crawford, explains that New York patients prefer a more subtle look compared to the West Coast style. As he currently has a patient in his chair who requested his teeth not to outshine him, many individuals express their preference for a natural-looking smile rather than the overly bright “Hollywood white” often desired on the West Coast. Here in New York, the focus tends to be less on making the smile stand out compared to Los Angeles.

Lana Rozenberg, a renowned cosmetic dentist who takes care of the smiles of celebrities like Justin Theroux, Clive Owen, and Helena Christensen, shared that patients are now playing a more active role in the creative aspect of smile enhancement, thanks to advancements in AI. In other words, with the advent of software such as Overjet and SmileFy, patients can now visualize their future smiles before undergoing procedures like placing crowns or veneers on their teeth, making it a more precise and engaging process for them.

Lowenberg believes that Washington D.C., despite some progress, remains relatively unnoticed. “It’s been traditionally more conservative, except for Joe Biden’s, whose teeth were so striking that they drew attention,” is one possible rephrasing of the original sentence.

Not So On-the-Nose

Modern surgeons are moving away from creating upturned or button-shaped noses and instead aiming for more natural-looking ones. As Linda Li, a plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, explains, “Noses have evolved; we now focus on preserving more of the original structure.” She adds, “The ideal nose should suit the individual’s face. A tiny nose would appear out of place on someone with a broad facial structure.

I’ll Have What Tom Cruise Is Having

The once widely requested buccal fat removal surgery in L.A., known for enhancing facial definition, has seen a significant drop in demand. As stated by Carl Truesdale, a facial plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, this decline is due to concerns about its effects on the aging process and potential gauntness. Instead, there’s growing interest in neck procedures such as salivary gland removal. Men are particularly drawn to the idea of emulating the youthful looks of stars like Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise by opting for more defined jawlines, which can be achieved through submandibular gland removal and muscle tightening. However, it’s important to note that not all doctors endorse this controversial procedure due to its aggressive nature and potential impact on saliva production.

No More Fox Eye

Truesdale is observing a decrease in the use of lateral brow lifts, a trend that appears to have eluded Matt Gaetz. As Truesdale points out, last year people were asking for the Bella Hadid look, but this year the fox eye style seems to be falling out of favor. Dr. Robert Schwarcz, a double board-certified NY Oculoplastic Surgeon, states that the traditional severe brow lift – which affected the hairline – has been replaced by a more subtle adjustment to the forehead. “Brow lifts are currently trending on social media because of the popularity of the temporal lift, a shorter version which focuses on the brow’s tail,” he clarifies. “This technique provides an uplift to the upper eyelids without creating a surprised appearance.

This story appeared in the Nov. 20 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.

2024-11-24 22:25