Beauty over budget: Eyelid surgery soars amid cost of living crisis

Facial procedures like eyelid surgery are surging in popularity with Aussies are splashing out big bucks on cosmetics despite the cost of living crisis.

Eyelid surgery is one of the most common operations in Australia.

Aussies are splashing out big bucks on cosmetic procedures and plastic surgery despite the cost of living crisis, with facial procedures growing in popularity as more people communicate over screens.

The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) released the results of its annual Global Survey on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures, revealing eyelid surgery had, for the first time, become the most common surgical procedure in the world, with 2.1 million going under the knife.

In Australia, breast augmentation remained the most common operation, followed by scar revision, however, eyelid surgery came in third, accounting for almost 10 per cent of all procedures.

Blepharoplasty is surging in popularity among Australians.

Plastic surgeon Dr Matthew Yeo said blepharoplasty, which involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the eyelids to help with vision and a youthful appearance, had always been one of the most popular procedures in Asia, but demand was now growing globally thanks to the likes of selfies and Zoom meetings.

“The increase in use of social media, as well as virtual meeting platforms, has driven an increase in demand for facial aesthetic procedures and we expect this trend to continue,” he said.

Blepharoplasty was the most popular surgical procedure for men, rating second for women behind liposuction; while Botox remained the go-to non-surgical treatment for men and women, followed by filler.

With eyelid surgery starting at about $5000 and going up to around $20,000, and filler and Botox costing anywhere between $150 and $2000, the procedures don’t come cheap. But plastic surgeon Dr Naveen Cavale said people were happy to splurge.

“Many people view aesthetic procedures as an investment in their wellbeing and self-esteem, not a luxury,” he said.

“They are motivated to spend on what helps them feel confident and maintain a sense of control and self-care, particularly during times of uncertainty or stress.”