The great cosmetic comeback: why stars are undoing their enhancements

It wasn’t so long ago that getting plastic surgery was whispered about behind closed doors.

Today, it’s practically part of a skincare routine. Just look at Kris Jenner, the “momager” behind the Kardashian-Jenner empire, whose seemingly age-defying transformation sparked rumours of a deep-plane facelift that might have turned the clock back by a decade.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to feel good in your skin, whether that means smoothing a wrinkle or adding volume where genetics left you wanting.

But in a surprising twist, a growing number of people, including Hollywood’s most recognisable faces, are choosing to go backwards: they’re undoing procedures they once celebrated.

From “more is more” to “less is best"

”Professor Chrysis Sofianos, a consultant plastic surgeon, told "Independent Media Lifestyle" in a previous interview, “This isn’t just a fleeting trend, it’s a cultural moment that invites us all to rethink what body confidence really means.

"The exaggerated curves made famous by celebrities in the late 2010s are giving way to a more athletic, natural silhouette.

Beauty standards are shifting, and so is what we value in our bodies.”Sometimes, the decision is deeply personal. Some say the results didn’t age well. Others face medical problems, such as chronic pain, discomfort, or difficulty finding clothes that fit.

“Many people feel physically uncomfortable or no longer recognise themselves in the mirror,” Sofianos adds.

SZA took out her breast implants

Singer SZA opened up on the "S.H.E. MD" podcast about why she removed her breast implants. With a family history of breast cancer, she admitted, “I snuck and got it anyway,” only to suffer painful scar tissue and fibrosis because of her naturally dense breast tissue.

“So I took them out, and now, they're just my boobs,” she shared candidly.

Jojo Robinson dissolved her fillers

Jojo Robinson from "The Real Housewives of Durban" also embraced this idea, sharing her experience of having her facial fillers dissolved and seeking more permanent changes through a facelift.

“I wanted a more permanent solution for my facial appearance,” she explained, highlighting that these reversals often stem from a desire for lasting authenticity.

Lala Hirayama removed her breast implants

Former TV presenter Lalla Hirayama has championed the importance of mental and physical health, reiterating that removals, such as her own breast implants, can often be linked to health issues.

Sami Sheen removed her breast implants

Daughter of Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen, shared her own journey on Instagram in 2023.

After health struggles and “weirdest symptoms” for nearly two years, she discovered she had breast implant illness. “I’m hoping to get them removed asap so I can start feeling better,” she wrote to her followers.

Blac Chyna removed her fillers and butt injections

At 19, Angela White (better known as Blac Chyna) got illegal silicone butt injections from an unlicensed provider. Years later, she had them removed after the procedure took over eight hours due to complications.

On Instagram, she warned, “Do not get silicone shots. You can get sick, you can die.” She also dissolved her facial fillers, saying she wanted to “embrace the real me”.

Cardi B removed her illegal butt injections

The "Bodak Yellow" singer also went public about removing 95% of the illegal biopolymer injections she got in her 20s.

“All I’m going to say is… don’t!” she told her young fans on Instagram Live.

Kardashian-Jenner clan dissolved their fillers

Even celebrities who opted for seemingly harmless enhancements later changed their minds. Khloé Kardashian confessed on "Kocktails with Khloé" that she dissolved fillers in her face because they made her “look crazy.”

Kylie Jenner, who famously sparked a lip filler trend at just 16, later revealed she dissolved her filler too.

Courtney Cox dissolved cheek fillers

This movement isn’t just about avoiding complications. It reflects a wider cultural pivot. L’Officiel reported how Courteney Cox felt she “went overboard” with fillers and now embraces ageing naturally.

Yolanda Hadid also made headlines for removing implants, fillers, Botox, and hair extensions, writing on Instagram: “Living in a body free of breast implants, fillers, Botox, extensions and all the bullshit I thought I needed… until the toxicity of it all almost killed me.”

Tiny Harris reversed her BBL

Tiny Harris, once known for her curves, also removed her butt implants, telling fans on Instagram, “It looks this way ‘cause I had it removed.”

Experts say it’s not about shaming cosmetic surgery, it’s about informed choice.

Sofianos emphasises the importance of thinking ahead: “Beauty trends change, but your health and comfort will always matter more.”

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons also notes that revision and removal surgeries are increasingly common, often linked to complications, lifestyle changes, or evolving tastes (ASPS 2022 Report).

In the end, whether you choose to enhance or reverse is deeply personal. What’s becoming clear, though, is that the conversation is shifting. From just asking, “How can I look younger?” to asking, “Will this still feel like me in ten years?”

It’s a conversation worth having with yourself and your doctor. And maybe, just maybe, the real glow-up isn’t in the perfect filler or the snatched waist, but in feeling at home in your own skin.

Hadid put it best: “Your health is your wealth. Please make educated decisions.”