If you’re watching aesthetic trends in 2026, the pattern is clear: minimally invasive treatments (neuromodulators, fillers, and skin-quality technologies) remain the most popular starting point because they’re fast, customizable, and require little to no downtime. For example, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports neuromodulator injections as the leading minimally invasive category, with continued year-over-year growth in its 2024 report.
At the same time, surgical facial procedures are “gaining popularity” for a different reason: patients increasingly want results that meaningfully lift, define, and last—especially in the eyes, jawline, and neck. ISAPS notes eyelid surgery as a leading surgical category in its 2024 global survey.
At Rousso Adams Facial Plastic Surgery in Birmingham, we’re uniquely positioned to guide that decision because we practice exclusively facial plastic surgery in an AAAHC-accredited facility, led by board-certified facial plastic surgeons. Dr. Daniel E. Rousso is triple board-certified (ABFPRS/ABOHNS/ABHRS) with 30+ years of experience, and Dr. Austin S. Adams is double board-certified (ABFPRS/ABOHNS) with advanced fellowship training in facial plastic surgery. That depth matters when the question is not just what’s popular, but what will look balanced and age well.
Why Minimally Invasive Treatments Keep Rising In Popularity
Low-commitment, high-control advantage
Injectables and in-office treatments offer a powerful combination: small changes, predictable recovery, and adjustable outcomes.
At Rousso Adams, these include:
- Wrinkle Relaxers
- Fillers
- Liquid Facelift
- Liquid Rhinoplasty
- Gummy Smile Reduction
- Eyelash Enhancement
We’re in the Prejuvenation Era
More patients than ever are investing in skin health, tone, texture, and firmness; think non-surgical skin tightening and chemical peels. They want refinement that reads as rested and healthier without obvious volume.
That aligns with what we see daily in facial practice; as such, our “skin-quality” and resurfacing options include:
- Laser Resurfacing
- Plasma Skin Resurfacing
- Fractional Laser Resurfacing
- Dermabrasion
- Deep Chemical Peel
- Scar Revision
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (as part of recovery/supportive care when appropriate)
Shorter downtime fits real life
Minimally invasive procedures meet patients where they are. The AAFPRS annual trends survey has reported minimally invasive procedures as the majority of treatments performed by facial plastic surgeons, with neurotoxins and fillers remaining widely offered.
Surgical Facial Procedures Are Gaining Popularity, Even In A Minimally Invasive World
Surgery is continually gaining popularity for one simple reason: it can correct what injectables can’t. For example:
Laxity and facial descent are structural problems
When there is true skin laxity, shifting soft tissue, neck banding, jowling, or a loss of definition, minimally invasive treatments can help; however, they often cannot recreate the same lift and structural repositioning that lasts as long.
That’s where the following facial surgery options remain the gold standard:
- Facelift (including Deep Plane Facelift, Mini Lift, and signature approaches like SculptLift™)
- Neck Lift
- Brow Lift
- Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
- Facial Fat Transfer
- Chin Augmentation / Cheek Augmentation / Facial Implants
- Buccal Fat Removal (for carefully selected patients)
Patients are learning the limits of “filler-only” strategies
In experienced hands, fillers can be beautiful. But over-reliance can create heaviness or shape distortion over time, especially when the real issue is descent and laxity.
In 2026, we’re seeing more patients ask for:
- less “added” volume
- more lift, definition, and contour
- outcomes that still look like them
Surgery—especially modern approaches that prioritize deeper support—can deliver that “restored architecture” effect, then allow injectables to be used more sparingly and strategically.
The rise of “hybrid planning”
A growing trend is combining structural surgery with minimally invasive treatments for precision finishing and maintenance. Minimally invasive procedures dominate overall volume, while surgical categories remain highly relevant and, in key facial areas, are strongly in demand.
What’s Gaining Popularity Specifically For The Face In 2026?
Based on the most recent major professional reporting from the ASPS, ISAPS, and AAFPRS, and what we see clinically in facial-only practice, minimally invasive is gaining popularity for:
- “First step” rejuvenation: Wrinkle relaxers, subtle fillers, liquid rhinoplasty.
- Skin refinement: Resurfacing, texture correction, pigment support, scar revision.
- Maintenance plans: Smaller, periodic treatments designed to age gracefully.
Surgical procedures are gaining popularity for:
- Eyes and upper face clarity: Blepharoplasty, brow lift.
- Jawline and neck definition: Facelift/neck lift—often with deeper structural techniques.
- Balanced facial contouring: Fat transfer or implants for structural support rather than “filler stacking.”
- Nasal refinement with function and harmony: Rhinoplasty (including ethnic rhinoplasty), and when appropriate, adjunct functional improvement.
How To Decide: Minimally Invasive Or Surgical?
Minimally invasive may be the best fit if you want:
- Subtle refresh, minimal downtime
- Early signs of aging (fine lines, mild volume loss, mild texture issues)
- A “trial” approach before committing to surgery
Surgical may be the best fit if you want:
- Meaningful lift and definition in the cheeks, jawline, and neck
- Long-term structural correction
- A plan that avoids repeated volumizing attempts that don’t truly lift
Trends Come And Go; Anatomy Doesn’t. Surgeon-Led Planning Matters More Than Ever.
In 2026, popularity doesn’t equal appropriateness—and in the face, small decisions compound over time. That’s why our practice is built on:
- Exclusive focus on the face, neck, and hair restoration
- Board-certified facial plastic surgery leadership
- An AAAHC-accredited facility
- A consultation process centered on balance, symmetry, proportions, and natural-looking outcomes
When your plan is led by surgeons who understand the face at the deepest structural level, you’re less likely to chase short-term fixes and more likely to choose a pathway that looks right now and still looks like you years from now.
If you’re weighing “minimally invasive vs. surgical,” the smartest next step is a surgeon-led consultation. Schedule a consultation with Rousso Adams Facial Plastic Surgery in Birmingham today.