The rise of “preventative Botox,” lip flips and even plastic surgery trends — all of which you’ll see when scrolling TikTok — might have you considering a cosmetic procedure or two.

The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported that, from 2019 to 2023, the number of surgical and nonsurgical aesthetic procedures increased by 40 percent globally. And the U.S. takes the lead, performing almost 18 percent of the world’s total surgical and non-surgical procedures.

To get a cosmetic procedure is a deeply personal decision — one you should make based on your own desires and budget, not someone else’s. But if you’re eyeing a treatment, the right credit card might let you earn rewards on that purchase or the drugstore purchases to follow. You could also pay off an expensive procedure over time with an introductory APR.

Comparing the best cards for cosmetic procedures

Card name Benefits related to cosmetic procedures Variable APR Annual fee
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
  • 1.5% cash back on everyday purchases, including medical bills
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
18.99% – 28.49% Variable $0
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
  • 2% cash rewards on all eligible purchases
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months (transfers must be made within 120 days of opening to qualify)
19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR $0
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
  • 2X miles on purchases, including medical bills
19.99% – 29.24% (Variable)
$95
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 months (transfers must be made within 120 days of opening to qualify)

17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR

$0
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®
  • 1.5% cash back on all purchases
  • Structured like a personal loan with installments and a fixed APR

14.99% – 29.99%
$0

Top cards for cosmetic procedures

  • Pros

    • Earn high rewards on drugstore purchases following a procedure or as part of your regular cosmetic routine, as well as rewards on the procedure itself.
    • By applying for the card right before a big purchase like a procedure, you’ll have 15 months of no interest to pay it off, then 18.99% – 28.49% Variable.

    Cons

    • The 1.5 catch-all rewards rate is decent, but lower than that of the best flat-rate cards.
  • Pros

    • This is the best rewards rate you’ll find for a flat-rate card, so you can earn both 2 percent cash back and the $200 welcome bonus on your procedure.
    • Enjoy 12 months of paying off a big purchase with no interest, then 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR.

    Cons

    • With no bonus categories, you won’t get as many rewards on certain categories, like travel or dining, as you could with another card.
  • Pros

    • Earn the best rewards rate for a flat-rate travel card, as well as welcome bonus miles worth about $1,275 when transferred to a high-value travel partner, according to Bankrate’s valuation.
    • Keep this card in your wallet for all your travel purchases to earn 5X miles if you’re a fan of Capital One Travel.

    Cons

    • If you don’t travel often or tap into the perks like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit or the Lifestyle Collection credit, the annual fee might not be worth it after the first year.
  • Pros

    • By applying for the card right before a cosmetic procedure, you’ll have 21 months to pay it off with no interest, (then 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR).
    • With good credit, you could potentially secure a lower APR than average once the intro period ends.

    Cons

    • The card doesn’t offer rewards or many other perks.
  • Pros

    • If you have excellent credit, you could secure a lower-than-average fixed APR and a generous installment time period for repayment.
    • Earn cash back rewards on your cosmetic procedure before paying it off over time.

    Cons

    • If you can’t qualify for a lower APR, then the card doesn’t have much advantage over other rewards cards.

How to choose a credit card for cosmetic procedures

If you’re on the fence about which new card to apply for ahead of your cosmetic procedure or which to pull from your wallet when paying, here are a few considerations:

  • Rewards: Depending on your rewards preference, you could earn cash back or travel rewards in the form of points or miles on your procedure. Decide whether you prefer flat-rate rewards or would benefit from a card that offers extra rewards for drugstore purchases.
  • Intro APR length: If you’re not able to pay off the procedure right away, you might prioritize a lengthy 0 percent intro APR instead. You could secure 12, 15 or 21 months to carry a balance interest-free with a traditional card.
  • Ability to combine with other cards: Cosmetic procedures aren’t a typical bonus rewards category, like travel, dining out or subscriptions, for example. You may want to combine the card you choose with a bonus category card that earns more on your other regular spending.

Frequently asked questions

  • No one should feel like they need a cosmetic procedure, but what you want done depends on your vision and budget. Start by consulting with a highly rated provider.

    Jaimie DeRosa, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with offices in Boston and Palm Beach, advises talking openly with a med spa practitioner or plastic surgeon to determine what’s best for you.

    “Be honest,” says DeRosa. “Say, ‘I’m thinking about the laxity in my face, but I have a budget.’ A caring practitioner will guide you. They’ll explain that you will have a limited return on your investment for something less expensive like a facial, but that maybe you would be better off saving for something that really gets you to your goal. You could spend thousands on filler and not get the results you want.”

  • Cosmetic procedure prices vary widely by state, provider and whether it’s non-surgical or surgical. Here are some common procedures listed by average price, according to RealSelf.

    Non-surgical procedures:

    • HydraFacial: $225
    • Chemical peel: $425
    • Neurotoxins (Botox): $553
    • Microneedling: $650
    • Dermal fillers (Juvéderm): $775
    • Lip fillers: $800
    • CoolSculpting: $2,275
    • Ultherapy: $2,650

    Surgical procedures:

    • Eyelid surgery: $4,950
    • Breast implants: $6,400
    • Liposuction: $6,825
    • Butt lift: $7,875
    • Rhinoplasty: $8,025
    • Tummy tuck: $8,200
    • Full facelift: $12,625

    If the numbers seem daunting, you may be tempted to search for rock-bottom prices. But think twice.

    “Medicine in general is not a place to save money,” says Darren Smith a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City. “The bottom line is that if it’s a stretch, you shouldn’t do it. No one needs plastic surgery. Don’t do it unless it brings you joy, and that also means being comfortable with the cost.”

  • Yes, a credit card is a common way to pay for cosmetic procedures or surgery because you don’t need to have all the cash on hand. An intro APR card could offer you a number of months to pay off the purchase with no interest. You could even earn cash back or travel rewards on the purchase.

    Just keep in mind you’ll want to stay ahead of the balance and avoid accruing interest. If you only make minimum payments, that procedure will end up costing you far more in interest charges.

What’s next?

The bottom line

As you’re considering how to pay for a cosmetic procedure, you’ll want to keep your credit beautiful, too.

With research and a plan, you can achieve your aesthetic dreams without damaging your bottom line. But it’s easy to bite off more than you can chew when you’re excited about the procedure. If you have a credit card in mind, check your budget so you can make your payments in full and on time.

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