Forget the Mommy Makeover — It’s Time for the Menopause Makeover

By Genevieve Monsma for Vogue

April 11, 2024

You’ve heard of the "Mommy Makeover" — a tummy tuck, breast lift, and liposuction combo that helps women reclaim their pre-pregnancy bodies. But now, a new trend is gaining momentum: the Menopause Makeover. Women in their forties and fifties are choosing subtle surgical enhancements to address the rapid, hormone-driven changes that menopause can bring to their faces and bodies.

Why a Menopause Makeover?

"Some say 50 is the new 30, and it’s true — women today take exceptional care of themselves," says Dr. Dara Liotta, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Manhattan. "But despite years of Botox, fillers, and healthy living, the hormonal crash of menopause can still bring sudden, noticeable aging that noninvasive treatments can't fully fix."

Take Susan, 58, a designer and entrepreneur. At 51, she felt young and vibrant, but her sagging upper eyelids told a different story. She opted for a simple upper eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) and instantly felt "lighter, brighter, and more like myself." Her goal wasn’t to look younger — just healthier and less tired.

Blepharoplasty: The #1 Facial Surgery

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), blepharoplasty is now the most popular facial cosmetic procedure in the U.S., with a 13% rise in surgeries between 2019 and 2022.

Dr. Liotta sees this trend every day: "The first signs of menopause-related aging usually show up around the eyes and jawline. My patients are vibrant, professional women who still feel on top of their game — they just want their faces to match that energy."

Menopausal shifts lead to:

• Loss of skin elasticity

• Thinning of the skin

• Softening of cartilage

• Deterioration of facial bones

All of these contribute to drooping eyelids, jowls, deeper smile lines, and less defined jawlines.

New Solutions for New Challenges

Today’s Menopause Makeover isn’t about drastic changes. Instead, it's about strategic tweaks:

• Blepharoplasty for the eyelids

• Chin implants to counter bone loss

• Nose rejuvenation rhinoplasty to correct cartilage softening

• Earlobe lifts to reverse sagging

Interestingly, that myth about your nose and ears "growing" with age? It’s not exactly true.

Skin thins, cartilage softens, and features lose their definition — but smart surgical interventions can restore harmony without altering your identity.

Minilift, Babylift — Whatever You Call It, It's Subtle

Not every woman needs a full facelift. Many opt for a minilift or babylift — smaller procedures focusing mostly on the lower face. Dr. Catherine Chang, another Beverly Hills-based surgeon, notes that investing early in subtle lifts can actually be more natural (and more cost-effective) than endless filler sessions, which over time can leave the face looking puffy and overly wide.

Dr. Liotta agrees, warning that fillers, especially hyaluronic acid types, can backfire during menopause when the body retains more fluid, resulting in an unintended puffiness.

Real Stories, Real Confidence

For Jean, 59, a lawyer and single mom, getting a facelift at 56 wasn’t about vanity — it was about confidence. With her child leaving for college and a new chapter of life beginning, Jean wanted her outward appearance to reflect the vitality she still felt inside. “I didn’t want to look overdone," she said. "I just wanted to look like a refreshed version of myself.”

The Bottom Line

Menopausal women today have more in common with the women of Sex and the City than the Golden Girls — even if they’re the same age group! These "menopause makeovers" aren’t about turning back the clock 20 years. They’re about aligning your outer self with your inner vitality.

Because at 50, 55, or even 60 — you’re not done yet. And you deserve to look as unstoppable as you feel.