Fashion comes and goes, and while more permanent, plastic surgery is also a victim to the trend machine.
In the past, bolder and more obvious tweaks were in hot demand, whereas surgeons are now finding that less is more – or at least, it should appear that way.
It’s been a big year for cosmetic tweaks, from Kris Jenner turning back the clock with her age-defying face to the Mar-a-Lago makeover sweeping Washington DC; celebrities have not shied away from attempting to embrace the best – and youngest – version of themselves.
It’s not only facial procedures that have had Hollywood in a chokehold – with GLP-1 becoming Hollywood’s worst-kept weight-loss secret, and celebrities like Meghan Trainor and Kelly Osbourne flaunting their new stick-thin physiques.
As the year comes to a close, plastic surgeons have spoken exclusively to the Daily Mail about the procedures they predict will skyrocket in popularity in 2026.
Dr. Bob Basu, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, told the Daily Mail that patients will prioritize procedures that embrace their natural features, rather than seeking dramatic changes.
‘In facial and breast surgery, this means focusing on lifting, reinforcement and structural restoration instead of relying on volume alone,’ he shared.
‘Procedures like the deep plane face and neck lift address foundational support rather than surface changes,’ Dr. Basu said.
As the year comes to a close, plastic surgeons have spoken exclusively to the Daily Mail about the procedures they predict will skyrocket in popularity in 2026 (stock image)
‘The result is a more natural appearance with greater longevity and stability.’
Dr. Basu theorized that artificial intelligence will heavily influence how patients research plastic surgery going forward, particularly when they are at the beginning stages of the process, which could have disastrous results.
However, he acknowledged that there are some ‘real risks’ with patients using AI to explore procedures, as it can create unrealistic expectations.
‘AI can be used to create fabricated before-and-after images or even construct entirely fictional patient journeys, which can contribute to misinformation and unrealistic expectations,’ he pointed out.
‘As AI continues to evolve, it should be viewed as a starting point, not a substitute, for consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon, where individualized evaluation, informed consent, and trust remain essential.’
Here are the plastic surgery trends expected to rise in 2026, according to surgeons.
Deep plane facelifts
Deep plane facelifts have become one of the most talked-about cosmetic surgery procedures, thanks to Kris Jenner’s jaw-dropping youthful visage at 70.
Kris Jenner, 70, stunned fans after debuting the results of her lower facelift (pictured left in 2011 and right in 2025)
While the Kardashian matriarch has admitted to having some cosmetic work done in the past, including a facelift and using Botox, a doctor who didn’t treat her alleged that her new look can be attributed to the pricey procedure, which can cost $80,000.
According to plastic surgeon Amir Mahan Ghaznavi, demand for the facelift will skyrocket in 2026 due to the dramatic changes that it can cause.
A deep plane facelift, often regarded as the gold-standard facelift technique, is different from a traditional facelift because it lifts beneath the SMAS (the strong fibrous layer that supports the face), and releases the deeper ligaments that cause sagging. It then repositions the mid- and lower-face from the inside out.
Instead of simply pulling the skin tighter, surgeons work under the muscle layer, creating a longer-lasting, more natural and less ‘done’ appearance.
‘This is being heavily promoted on Instagram and TikTok due to its visual format,’ Dr. Ghaznavi said.
‘Young patients are asking for mini-facelifts, thread lifts and SMAS lifts for varying results and longevity.’
Dr. Paul N. Afrooz, an award-winning facial plastic surgeon based in Florida, said the technique is used for patients who need ‘more correction.’
‘By repositioning deeper structures rather than pulling skintight, we can achieve results that last while still allowing the face to move naturally,’ he explained. ‘Longevity matters, but natural expression matters more.’
Deep neck lift
Plastic surgeon Dr, Sean Alemi predicted that 2026 will see more people investing in deep neck lifts as people realize the ‘power’ of deep neck contouring.
‘One of the hottest topics that is sure to continue to be an emerging trend is the management of the neck and the rising popularity of the deep neck lift,’ he told the Daily Mail.
The term ‘deep neck lift’ typically refers to the management of the deep neck contents, the deep neck fat, muscle and salivary gland tissue, which can be contoured and sculpted as needed during a neck lift procedure.
‘I feel that the deep neck lift procedure will continue to increase in popularity as surgeons and patients alike see the power of deep neck contouring,’ Dr. Alemi shared.
Ricki Lake opened up about undergoing a deep plane lower facelift and deep neck lift. Left, before and right, after
Some plastic surgeons have predicted that 2026 will see an increase in deep neck lifts as people realize the ‘power’ of deep neck contouring (stock image)
Earlier in the year, TV host and actress Ricki Lake opened up about her own experience of going under the knife in 2024 to have loose skin around her neck removed following her dramatic weight loss.
The 56-year-old also admitted to undergoing a deep plane lower facelift.
Body contouring
The doctors also believe that body contouring after GLP-1 medication for weight loss and skin tightening technologies to restore shape will rise in popularity in 2026.
With people dropping significant amounts of weight with GLP-1 medications, board-certified plastic surgeons are seeing increased demand to address changes in the face, breasts and body.
‘Common concerns include facial hollowing, skin laxity, and loss of shape – often referred to as “Ozempic face,”‘ Dr. Basu explained.
He added that patients are seeking solutions that restore balance and proportion without looking overfilled or unnatural.
Body contouring after GLP-1 medication for weight loss and skin tightening technologies to restore shape are set to rise in 2026 (stock image)
With more people dropping weight with GLP-1 medications, plastic surgeons are seeing increased demand to address changes in the face, breasts and body (stock image)
‘These changes are also driving greater interest in regenerative treatments, facial fat grafting, refined volume-restoration techniques, and the entire gamut of plastic surgery procedures for the face, breast, and body,’ Dr. Basu said.
Dr. Andrew Cohen agreed, adding that he thinks tummy tucks will be on the rise, as well as treatments such as CO2 laser, to help with texture and rebuilding of collagen on the skin surface.
‘All contribute to the slimming down and tightening up happening in 2025,’ he pointed out.
‘Additionally, procedures that focus on natural, regenerative results like facelifts, blepharoplasty, etc., will continue to rise.’
Celebrities such as Meghan Trainor (left) and Kelly Osbourne (right) have been showing off their new stick-thin physiques recently
Regenerative treatments
The surgeons predicted that regenerative treatments will become more mainstream in 2026.
They suggested there will be an increase in growth factor therapies to improve skin quality, elasticity and tissue strength.
Dr. Jeffrey Lisieci, a New York-based plastic surgeon, said that regenerative therapies to improve skin quality, especially exosome-based treatments and nanofat, an injectable treatment using your own processed fat, are set to rise in popularity.
‘This is essentially a fat transfer stripped of actual fat cells but retaining the stem cells and other regenerative factors of fat,’ he explained.
Dr. Basu agreed, adding that rather than filling or masking changes, these treatments stimulate the body’s own ability to rebuild collagen and improve tissue health from within.
‘Surgeons are also using them strategically to support healing and help both surgical and nonsurgical results last longer, particularly in patients experiencing significant weight loss or tissue thinning,’ he said.
Surgeons predict that regenerative approaches will become more mainstream in 2026 (stock image)
Dr. Paul N. Afrooz said he’s already seeing a shift towards prejuvenation, with the age of his patients getting younger.
‘I’m seeing is patients in their late 30s and 40s coming in earlier, instead of waiting until their 50s or 60s,’ he observed. ‘It’s now about maintaining what you already have.’
The Miami-based plastic surgeon added: ‘Small, strategic procedures done earlier often mean less surgery overall and far more natural aging long term.’
‘Patients want to slow the clock, not rewind it,’ he said.
