Subtle and Understated: Body Plastic Surgery Trends 2023
2023 and beyond celebrates beauty and boundless self-expression, where the artistry of plastic surgery takes center stage. Like “chameleons” in the beauty and wellness space, the best plastic surgeons in Scottsdale, AZ adapt to the ever-changing desires and aspirations of individuals seeking to enhance their physical appearance.
According to fashion and lifestyle reporters, thin culture is back with a vengeance. In fact, if you follow Hollywood celebrities and influencers on social media, you may have noticed many of them looking drastically slimmer, causing speculation about whether they’ve undergone breast revision surgery, a tummy tuck, and/or a reversed Brazilian butt lift (BBL).
While many public figures followed “the bigger and curvier, the better” plastic surgery trend from the early 2000s until 2022, the year 2023 sees a rise in “more subtle, understated aesthetic,” said Gregory Greco, DO, FACS, President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). These changes may mark the end of the BBL era and the comeback of ’90s thinness.
Latest Trends in Plastic Surgery
In an article published by the ASPS, plastic surgeons shared the following statements:
“The pendulum is starting to swing back the other way,” revealed Joe Hadeed, MD, FACS. “They [patients] may still be interested in a BBL but want a more natural look.” More women prefer results that are “proportionate with their body frame versus something that kind of stands out or is overly exaggerated,” Hadeed adds.
Dr. Greco agrees, saying more patients request “either removing them [breast implants], making them smaller, or taking them out and doing a lift with fat grafting.”
Specifically, the biggest plastic surgery trends include:
1. Natural-Looking Breast Augmentation
Subtle breast enhancement is a plastic surgery trend focused on harmonious and proportionate results. The goal is to add volume to the breasts in a way that complements the patient’s body, looking balanced and as close to the natural breast shape and size as possible.
Implant Selection
Achieving natural-looking breast augmentation results involves choosing breast implants that preserve anatomical harmony, complementing the patient’s overall physique and breast tissue pre-op. Instead of excessive or large implants that can result in an unnatural or disproportionate appearance, more women are gravitating toward modest implant sizes, which can enhance their curves while maintaining a natural look.
A board-certified plastic surgeon will work closely with a patient to review their body type, chest dimensions, and personal preferences to determine the most appropriate implant size and shape.
Surgical Approach and Incision
Surgeons may use techniques such as inframammary incisions (under the breast fold) or periareolar incisions (around the areola) to minimize scarring and deliver a natural-looking aesthetic.
You can learn more about the various types of breast augmentation incisions in this guide.
Implant Placement
Implant selection and incision type aside, another crucial consideration for natural-looking breast augmentation is implant placement. For example, in submuscular placement, a plastic surgeon positions an implant behind the patient’s chest muscle. In subglandular placement, an implant is situated behind the glandular tissue (part of the breast that produces milk in women). The choice depends on a number of factors, including the patient’s existing breast tissue and preferred outcome.
In general, submuscular placement produces a more natural appearance due to the additional muscle layer helping to conceal the implant’s edges.
Read about your implant placement options here.
Fat Transfer
In recent years, fat transfer or grafting has gained popularity as an alternative to breast implants. This technique uses liposuction to collect fat from one area of the body, such as the abdomen or thighs, and then injecting that fat into the breasts to increase volume and improve shape. Fat grafting provides a subtle enhancement, resulting in breasts that feel and move more naturally.
2. Body Contouring Focused on Balance Rather Than Exaggeration
Body contouring “with a focus on proportion” involves reshaping the body to deliver a balanced and harmonious outcome. Instead of emphasizing specific body parts, this approach considers the patient’s overall appearance and contours to “sculpt” or create a more aesthetically pleasing figure.
This body contouring trend enhances an individual’s natural curves and lines, ensuring different areas (waist-to-chest and chest-to-hip ratios) blend. A comprehensive assessment of the individual’s unique physical build — taking into account factors such as body shape, fat distribution, muscle tone, and skeletal structure — will help achieve the desired result.
Types of Body Contouring Procedures
During the process, a surgeon may employ a single or combination of surgical and non-surgical techniques to target areas of concern and carve out a balanced silhouette. Popular body contouring procedures include tummy tucks (abdominoplasty), high-definition liposuction, arm lifts, thigh lifts, and butt augmentation or reduction.
A tummy tuck addresses loose or sagging abdominal skin and muscles, resulting in a flatter and more sculpted waistline. Meanwhile, liposuction removes excess fat deposits in the abdominal area, hips, arms, or thighs to create a smoother and more defined body contour. You can identify the difference between these procedures here.
As for brachioplasty and thighplasty, these cosmetic surgery options tighten and improve what others refer to as “bat wing arms” and “thunder thighs.”
3. Reduction for Disproportionate, Large Breasts
Although breast augmentation is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures worldwide, conversely, the ASPS noted an increase in demand for breast reductions in 2019 compared to 2018.
Breast reduction surgery, also called reduction mammoplasty, involves removing excess breast tissue, skin, and fat to alter the size and weight of the breasts. Those with large and heavy breasts are ideal candidates for this procedure, as it can help alleviate physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress.
By undergoing breast reduction surgery in Scottsdale, Arizona, patients who feel self-conscious about their chest size can experience significant improvements in their self-esteem and overall quality of life, as demonstrated in a 2009 study.
However, it is worth noting that breast reduction surgery (or any invasive technique) is a highly individualized and complex procedure. Aside from pursuing the above based on personal needs and desires, consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss specific goals, expectations, eligibility, and any potential risks is essential. Contact Guerra Plastic Surgery Center today to determine if you are an ideal candidate for breast augmentation, body contouring, or reduction mammoplasty.
The Bottom Line
Current plastic surgery trends focus on the relationship between different body parts, prioritizing symmetrical balance over unnatural voluptuousness in isolated areas. The general goal is to achieve an effortless and proportional silhouette, subtly enhancing the person’s body shape and contours while maintaining overall harmony.