In part, major age and demographic shifts are at work. One turns 50 years old every 15 seconds, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The Boomers have the power of numbers and the economic wherewithal to get their way, and they have spent much of their collective lives challenging norms of behavior and appearance. Last year, Boomers accounted for 43 percent of all cosmetic surgery, far more than for any other generation. And the Boomers' enthusiasm has spilled over to other generations.
Many cosmetic surgeons say their teenage clientele has increased significantly in recent years.
Even the elderly, who once might have feared complications from this often delicate and painful surgery, are increasingly joining the nipped and tucked. These are people such as Janet, a vivacious platinum blonde who at age 70 lifts weights, walks a mile in 17 minutes, acts in amateur theatricals and loves oddball adventures like spelunking in faraway caves and walking over glaciers. She isn't embarrassed about the facelift she had last year but won't give her last name for another reason. Since the surgery, she has been dating a man 20 years younger, and she doesn't want him to know her true age. I'm not going to live on someone else's schedule.