The Top 5 Cosmetic Concerns Driving People to the Derm in 2026 (And Why Mid-Face Wrinkles Just Made the List)

We all pay lip service to the idea of radical self-love and embracing our natural beauty. But if we’re being entirely honest with ourselves, staring into the mirror or catching a bad angle on a Zoom call can quickly remind us that we all have physical features we’d love to tweak. The aesthetic industry is built entirely on these deeply personal vexations. But have you ever wondered if the things that bother you the most are the exact same things bothering everyone else?

Recently, the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) released their annual survey data, diving into the specific cosmetic concerns that people find the most universally bothersome . The results reveal a fascinating look into our collective insecurities—and prove that when it comes to being highly critical of our reflections, we are definitely not alone.

Here are the top five cosmetic concerns driving the aesthetic industry right now.

1. The Undisputed Number One: Excess Body Fat

If you’ve been agonizing over stubborn pockets of fat that refuse to budge despite your best diet and exercise efforts, you are in the overwhelming majority. According to the ASDS data, a staggering 85 percent of survey respondents cited “excess fat on any given part of their body” as their absolute most bothersome cosmetic concern . This pervasive frustration easily claimed the top spot, explaining the continuous explosion in popularity of body contouring treatments, from non-invasive freezing technologies to surgical liposuction.

2. The “Double Chin” Dilemma

While general body fat took the overall crown, respondents got very specific about where that fat bothers them the most. Excess fat situated directly under the chin or along the neck was highlighted as an incredibly pressing, specific issue . The neck and jawline frame the entire face, meaning submental fullness (the clinical term for a double chin) is impossible to hide under clothing, making it a constant, visible source of frustration for many.

3 & 4. A Tie: Texture/Discoloration vs. Eye Wrinkles

Coming in at a dead tie for the next most bothersome concerns, with 78 percent of people agreeing, are two major signs of facial aging: overall skin texture/discoloration and wrinkles located specifically around and under the eyes .

This tie perfectly illustrates the dual nature of modern anti-aging goals. It’s no longer just about smoothing out lines; patients are equally desperate to erase the dullness, sunspots, and rough textures that make a complexion look tired. Meanwhile, the delicate skin around the eyes—which is notoriously the first area to show signs of aging, fatigue, and stress—remains a massive pain point for nearly eight out of ten people surveyed .

5. The Newcomer: Mid-Face Folds

While the top four concerns have historically dominated these surveys in various orders, a brand-new complaint officially broke into the top five this year: lines, wrinkles, and folds in the mid-face .

This specific focus on the mid-face marks a fascinating shift in consumer awareness. Rather than just fixating on the upper face (like forehead lines or crow’s feet), people are becoming increasingly bothered by the deep nasolabial folds (smile lines) and volume loss in the cheeks that cause the middle of the face to sag or look heavy.

Who is Bothered the Most?

The data also revealed some interesting demographic trends regarding who feels the pressure of these concerns the heaviest. Unsurprisingly, the ASDS noted that female respondents were generally far more bothered by these aesthetic issues than their male counterparts .

However, the most telling statistic involved age. You might assume that older generations would be more vexed by signs of aging, but the survey found the exact opposite. Younger women, specifically those aged 25 to 44, reported being significantly more bothered by their cosmetic concerns than women over the age of 55 .

Perhaps there really is a deep, profound sense of self-acceptance that comes with age. For those of us currently in that lower age bracket, agonizing over our mid-face folds and stubborn fat, that peace of mind is definitely something to look forward to.