Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Trends: 9 Expert Picks for 2026

Some of the factors that shaped cosmetic and aesthetic trends in 2025 will continue to influence trends in 2026.

People are opting for enhancement over alteration to become the best version of themselves, seeking more subtle and natural results over dramatic transformations. More people are getting leaner and healthier thanks to weight loss medications, driving the demand for skin removal and body contouring procedures. And the growing acceptance and embracing of cosmetic procedures for men is likely to continue.

According to Dr. Michael Niccole, medical director of CosmetiCare Plastic Surgery Center & MedSpa in Newport Beach, Calif., younger patients are leading the way by combining multiple approaches to maintain a natural look throughout the aging process. He explains, “Younger patients are increasingly pursuing a combination approach — integrating both invasive and non-invasive procedures alongside nutrition and topical treatments — to achieve natural, long-lasting enhancements that support healthy aging.”

Here is more information about some key trends that may experience increasing demand throughout the year.

1. Skin Removal After Weight Loss

Thanks to the development of effective weight loss medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s), losing weight has never been easier. But rapid weight loss may have consequences, including excess skin on the face and body, which can impact self-esteem and overall satisfaction with the weight loss. These consequences have contributed to an increased demand for procedures like skin removal and body contouring, as well as facial rejuvenation.

To enjoy the lasting results of skin removal surgery after weight loss, patients should be at a stable weight before embarking on this final stage of their weight loss journey. Surgery also requires being off GLP-1s and other weight loss drugs for at least two weeks before and, in some cases, after.

Upper body lifts

An upper body lift typically targets the upper back, breasts and arms, areas where excess skin and fat can accumulate, leading to sagging and a lack of definition. It may involve a combination of procedures, commonly:

• Arm lift. A brachioplasty focuses on the upper arms, removing excess skin and fat often referred to as bat wings. The result is smoother, more contoured arms.
• Breast lift. A breast lift raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tissue. This can be done using a variety of techniques, depending on the amount of breast tissue you have and your goals. This procedure can also be combined with implants or a breast reduction.

Lower body lifts

A lower body lift addresses the lower abdomen, buttocks, thighs and hips using a combination of procedures. These often include:

• Panniculectomy. Dramatic weight loss often leaves an “apron” of skin on the lower abdomen, also called the pannus. A panniculectomy — which focuses solely on removing the skin without tightening the muscles as in a tummy tuck — can significantly improve a person’s comfort after weight loss while also helping clothes fit better.
• Thigh lift and buttock lift. These procedures address the excess skin that often gathers around the buttocks and thighs after dramatic weight loss. This can result in a firmer, smoother and more proportional appearance.

2. Skin Tightening After Weight Loss

Non-surgical skin tightening may also top the list of cosmetic procedures for 2026, with people wanting to enhance their skin’s appearance and improve and restore contour with less downtime and fewer scars. These procedures use advanced technologies to stimulate collagen production, tighten loose skin and improve skin texture.

Some popular options include:

• Microneedling. Microneedling is a rejuvenation treatment that stimulates your skin’s natural healing abilities to increase collagen and elastin production to firm and tone the skin.
• Laser therapy. Laser therapy uses focused light to lift and tighten the skin, providing a non-invasive facelift effect when used on the face and neck. The procedure can also be used to tone other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, buttocks and thighs.
• Radiofrequency (RF) therapy. RF therapy works by heating the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production and resulting in tighter, smoother skin.
• Ultrasound therapy. This treatment offers similar aesthetic benefits to laser therapy but relies on focused ultrasound energy to lift and tighten the skin.
• Long-term esthetician care. Ongoing treatments with skilled estheticians, including specialized facials, skin hydration and maintenance therapies, can help support and prolong the results of skin tightening procedures by improving skin health, texture and elasticity over time.

3. Scar Revision Following Post-Weight Loss Contouring

Some skin removal procedures can leave large, prominent scars, which are understandably a major concern for patients considering plastic surgery. Fortunately, there are several treatments that can help reduce the appearance of scars, including:

• Dermabrasion. The top layer of skin is removed or “sanded” using a rotating device. This triggers your body’s natural wound-healing process, encouraging the growth of new, smoother skin and minimizing the appearance of scars.
• Laser therapy. Pulses of concentrated light target scar tissue with precision, removing layers of skin to soften, smooth and lighten scars.
• Scar revision surgery. This involves either removing or repositioning scars to make them less noticeable.
• Skin grafting. For some scars, a piece of healthy skin — or a skin graft — can be removed from one part of the body and placed over a scar to cover it.
• Topical hydroquinone. This effective skin bleaching agent can be applied to dark scars to make them less noticeable.

4. Natural Breast Augmentation/Revision

The shift toward embracing natural beauty and authenticity by opting to reduce the size of previously enhanced features for a more balanced appearance continues into 2026. And those who do opt for enhancement are favoring an implant size and shape that best mimics the contours of natural breasts.

Procedures that are helping people achieve this include:

• Breast fat transfer. For those who would like to increase their breast size but prefer a natural look, fat can be removed from another part of the body using liposuction and transferred to the breasts.
• Breast implant removal. Some women are opting for smaller breast implants or even removing them altogether (referred to as explant surgery) to align with their personal aesthetic goals and lifestyle changes. Women who are not candidates for complete removal of implants may achieve their body goals with an implant exchange (reducing the size and/or shape of the implants) along with a breast lift.
• Breast reduction. This procedure involves removing excess skin, tissue and fat from the breasts to make them appear smaller and more proportionate. Breast reduction surgery can improve the appearance of the breasts and reduce discomfort associated with large breasts.
• Small-volume breast augmentation. Those looking to augment their bust in a way that looks natural are choosing not only smaller-volume implants but also low-profile, shaped implants. The result is a subtle projection toward the bottom of the breast that follows the contours of a natural breast.

5. Skinny BBLs

The Brazilian butt lift — or BBL — is often associated with dramatic results from adding significant volume to the buttocks. However, the shifting trend toward more natural and subtle enhancements in other cosmetic procedures is also evident in BBLs. And as with other plastic surgery trends, weight loss drugs may also play a role here.

BBL involves harvesting fat from another part of the body and injecting it into the buttocks. The skinny BBL does this on a smaller scale, which is appropriate for patients seeking subtle enhancement and for slimmer patients who don’t have extra fat deposits to spare.

With weight loss drugs contributing to lower obesity rates, the skinny BBL is also proving to be an effective option for addressing sagging and the loss of volume and definition in the buttocks known as “Ozempic butt.”

6. Undetectable Facial Procedures

The less-is-more trend continues when it comes to facial enhancements.

While fillers continue to be popular, people are moving away from more exaggerated enhancements — such as very full lips and cheeks — for a softer, more natural look. And it’s not only fillers for a subtle refresh that people are turning to — “undetectable” surgical procedures are also on the rise.

A growing number of younger patients are getting mini-facelifts, while aggressive facelift procedures — like deep-plane facelifts — are being performed to address wrinkles and signs of aging, as well as loose skin after weight loss.

These popular facial procedures include:

• Brow lift. This is also called a forehead lift and does just that — raises the forehead and brow area, removing wrinkles and frown lines while opening the space between the brows and the eyes.
• Deep-plane facelift. This type of facelift repositions the deeper tissues of the face, including the muscle, to achieve maximum lifting while still maintaining a beautiful, natural-looking result.
• Facial fat grafting. This facial rejuvenation procedure uses liposuction to harvest fat from other areas of the body and inject it into the face to restore lost volume.
• Mini facelift. This less-invasive type of facelift uses smaller incisions hidden along the hairline and in the crease of the ears to create a rejuvenated appearance and get ahead of common signs of aging.
• Upper blepharoplasty. Also called an upper eyelid lift, this procedure removes excess skin on the upper eyelid to open up the eyes for a rejuvenated appearance.
• Laser enhancement procedures. Often used as a complementary treatment to surgical facelifts, laser enhancement procedures can improve skin texture, reduce fine lines and promote collagen production. The result: A refined, refreshed overall facial appearance with minimal downtime.

7. Physique-Focused Procedures for Men

One of the most notable plastic surgery trends in 2025 was driven by the increasing acceptance of men undergoing cosmetic procedures, and this trend is expected to continue into 2026.

Surgeons continue to tailor cosmetic procedures to help men achieve their physical goals, such as better muscle definition and contouring. They’re also seeing an increase in requests for procedures to address post-weight loss changes, such as skin tightening and removal, as well as facial procedures.

Facial rejuvenation procedures for men, including eyelid surgery and fat transfers, are also becoming increasingly popular.

These male plastic surgeries are also on the rise:

• Breast reduction for gynecomastia. This is a breast reduction for men that flattens and contours the chest, which may also involve changing the size and position of the areola.
• Liposculpting. Liposculpture goes beyond traditional liposuction by strategically removing — or sometimes adding — fat to create a defined and athletic appearance.
• Lower body lift. The surgical removal of excess skin and fat around the waist, abdomen, hips, buttocks and outer thighs enhances and defines a man’s contours.
• CoolSculpting. This non-invasive fat reduction procedure uses controlled cooling to freeze and eliminate stubborn fat cells, helping men achieve a more sculpted and toned physique without surgery or downtime.
• Medical esthetician treatments. Ongoing professional care, such as facials, customized skin maintenance and tailored skincare routines, can help men to maintain good skin vitality and maximize the benefits of cosmetic procedures.

8. Midlife Rejuvenation (“Menopause Makeover”)

The recent focus on menopause awareness in the media has inspired more women to prioritize themselves during this stage of their lives. The menopause makeover has emerged as a holistic approach to tackle the effects of hormonal shifts, such as weight gain, sagging skin and loss of muscle tone, to name a few.

This involves a combination of cosmetic procedures targeting these issues, such as:

• Body contouring. Procedures such as liposuction or tummy tucks target the stubborn fat deposits and loose skin associated with menopause. These body contouring options enhance natural curves and can help women feel more confident.
• Breast surgery. By the time a woman reaches menopause, factors such as hormonal changes, weight fluctuations, past pregnancies, breastfeeding and the effects of gravity can change the size, shape and position of breasts. Fortunately, there are several procedures that can help achieve a more youthful appearance.
• Facial rejuvenation. Many women opt for facial cosmetic procedures to restore a youthful appearance. This can include lower-cost treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic to smooth wrinkles or surgical procedures like eyelid surgery or facelifts to combat sagging skin.

9. Regenerative Aesthetics

Regenerative aesthetics are a game-changer for those looking to turn back the clock on their appearance. These innovative, minimally invasive or non-surgical approaches leverage your body’s natural healing processes to stimulate collagen production and enhance skin health, often offering natural-looking results.

Here’s a closer look at some of these treatments:

• Bio-stimulating fillers. Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers (Radiesse®) and poly-L-lactic acid fillers (Sculptra®) are examples of bio-stimulating fillers. Unlike some dermal fillers that add volume and hydration, bio-stimulating fillers stimulate your body’s collagen production to help smooth lines and wrinkles for younger-looking skin.
• Exosomes. Exosomes are particles found in our cells that are packed with proteins, fats and other molecules that encourage cellular repair and renewal. They’re added to topical creams and serums and can be used in conjunction with professional treatments, such as microneedling and laser therapy, for better absorption.
• Facial fat grafting. Fat grafting, which involves transferring fat from one part of the body to the face, is considered the ideal facial filler. It carries no potential risk of reaction because it comes from your own body, and it offers the most natural results. It can be used to add volume to any part of the face to improve signs of aging, such as lines and folds, as well as sagging skin.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP). A PRP facial, often referred to as a vampire facial, involves a multi-step process that utilizes microneedling and your body’s own platelet-rich plasma to rejuvenate the skin — no vampires required.

The new year offers opportunities for a new you. These key trends can help you achieve your cosmetic and aesthetic goals for 2026 so you can be your best self. As with any cosmetic procedure, potential side effects or complications may occur, so be sure to consult with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon before undergoing any treatment or procedure.

Financing Cosmetic Procedures With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for cosmetic procedures and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Expert Reviewer

Dr. Michael Niccole is the medical director of CosmetiCare Plastic Surgery Center & MedSpa in Newport Beach, California, which he co-founded in 1982. He specializes in cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, nose and body and was voted OC Weekly’s Best Cosmetic Surgeon multiple times.

Author Bio

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today and more.