Most Popular Plastic Surgery Procedures on the Red Carpet and in Real Life

Is she getting a facelift? Photo via Shutterstock.

Award season may be over, but the prepping never ends. The most popular plastic surgery procedures on the red carpet are not unlike the most common plastic surgery procedures in the U.S. They are breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, facelifts, and rhinoplasty. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS):

In the past year, plastic surgeons performed nearly 14 million cosmetic procedures, including over 1.5 million surgeries, with total surgeon fees exceeding $10 billion.

Yes, billion! But about 90 percent of all cosmetic procedures are common injectables like Botox and fillers, or minimally invasive chemical peels, not surgeries. I enlisted the help of some colleagues to do some “research” (aka take notes during the Oscars telecast) to see which popular plastic surgery procedures were on the red carpet. Granted, this is just an observation from the television to my trained eye. I was not there and did not look up what each celebrity may or may not have done. Also, I could only evaluate the head, neck, and upper body. Nonetheless, I carefully viewed the stars during their arrival.

1. Botox and Fillers

Botox and fillers were present, both in interviewers (male and female) and the interviewees. Botox temporarily “freezes” muscle groups and is frequently used to provide a smoother appearance on the forehead, the area between the eyebrows, and other areas of the face. Facial fillers (e.g. Juvederm and Restylane) are used in order to decrease and soften wrinkles of the face. Prices vary depending on what you use and how many syringes you need.

2. Facial implants (usually chin or cheek)

Definitions and contours of the lower face and cheek areas were seen in some individuals who may have had a chin implant or other type of facial implant that is placed for increased facial definition. The most common facial implants are for the cheekbones, chin, and jaw. These implants help to create a more defined facial appearance by increasing projection and creating more distinct features, visible contours, and natural angles that are proportionate and structurally balance the face. The average cost for facial implants in the United States is $4000.

3. Rhinoplasty (nose job)

There were a few individuals who looked like they made have had rhinoplasty. The ASPS reports that there are 243,000 rhinoplasty or nasal reshaping procedures annually in the United States. Rhinoplasty is performed for lowering the “bump” on the bridge of a nose, decreasing the width of a person’s nose, and refining the tip of the nose among other goals. The average cost of rhinoplasty in the United States is $4,310.

4. Breast augmentation

The enlargement of the breasts using implants looked to be a popular procedure on the red carpet. It is also the second most popular surgery in the world (behind lipoplasty) and number one in the U.S. Breast augmentation is done by inserting a saline or silicone implant under the existing breast, usually with the goal increasing size and symmetry or restoring fullness after giving birth or losing weight. The average cost of breast enhancement surgery is between $4000 and $10,000 in the United States.

5. Blepharoplasty (eyelift) and rhytidectomy (facelift)

Also present on the red carpets this award season was a stately Hollywood actor or two who may have had an eyelift along with a facelift. During an eyelift, excess fat and skin is removed from the eye area to make droopy or puffy eyes look younger and more well-rested. Similarly, a facelift surgically removes excess face and neck skin and pulls the rest of the skin up and back. The end result minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and creates tauter, youthful looking skin. The ASPS reports that there were 204,015 eyelifts and 126,320 facelifts done in 2012. An eyelift costs between $1,200 and $4,500 in the United States, and a facelift costs between $5,000 and $6,000.

What kind of “work” did you notice on the red carpets this award season?