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Plastic Surgery Financing Options: 6 Best Loans for 2026

By U.S. News & World Report

From face-lifts to liposuction to breast enhancements, cosmetic surgery is more popular than ever. There were nearly 1.6 million procedures completed in 2024, according to the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

While plastic surgery might leave you looking your best, brace for a dent in your bank account. “Cosmetic procedures are almost always considered elective and not medically necessary, so they’re not typically covered by insurance, leaving the entire financial burden on the patient,” says Jill Behm, senior vice president and general manager of cosmetic at Synchrony, which issues CareCredit, a credit card for health and wellness purchases.

If you are interested in elective cosmetic surgery but don’t have the cash up front, you can look into financing options such as personal loans. Here are six top personal loans for plastic surgery, as well as tips on how to choose which loan — or alternate financing — is right for you.

Best Personal Loans for Cosmetic Surgery Financing

Best for No Fees: LightStream by Truist

APR:

6.49% to 24.89% Loan amounts: $5,000 to $100,000 Terms: Up to 240 months

Why We Picked It

LightStream by Truist’s personal loans feature competitive rates and flexible terms for borrowers with good or excellent credit. The entire application can be completed digitally, making it a convenient option to fund your cosmetic surgery.

Best for Competitive APR Cap: Discover

APR: 7.99% to 24.99% Loan amounts: $2,500 to $40,000 Terms: 36 to 84 months

Why We Picked It

Discover is a well-known, reputable lender offering a competitive APR cap. Also, those who have lower-cost procedures can borrow as little as $2,500.

Best Loan Amount Flexibility: Upstart

APR: 6.2% to 35.99% Loan amounts: $1,000 to $75,000 Terms: 36 or 60 months

Why We Picked It

Upstart has strong customer ratings and a large loan amount range that should cover the majority of cosmetic procedures. If you want to have a fast application process, Upstart can also get you funded in 24 hours, though timing can vary depending on when you apply and your situation. There will be an origination fee tacked on, however, so keep that in mind when comparing costs.

Best Flexible Term Options: Upgrade

APR: 7.74% to 35.99% Loan amounts: $1,000 to $50,000 Terms: 24 to 84 months

Why We Picked It

With a range of repayment terms and an easy online application process, Upgrade personal loans are a good option for people who want flexibility. You can check your rate in minutes with no hard credit inquiry and then apply and get funded in one day. Your cost depends on your credit, however, so watch out for high origination fees and APRs if your score is on the lower side.

Best for Fast Funding: SoFi

APR: 7.74% to 35.49% Loan amounts: $5,000 to $100,000 Terms: 24 to 84 months

Why We Picked It

SoFi is a popular personal loan provider for a number of reasons, from not charging any mandatory fees to the fast turnaround on funding. It also has stellar customer ratings. Just be mindful that if you don’t have strong credit, this might not be the best choice for you.

Best for Low APR: PenFed

APR: 6.09% to 17.99% Loan amount: $600 to $50,000 Terms: 12 to 60 months

Why We Picked It

If you’re willing to join a credit union, PenFed’s personal loans have competitive rates and a range of loan amounts. Anyone can join by opening a savings account. The loans have no fees, except when you’re late on making a payment. Funding may take a little longer than some online lenders.

How to Choose the Best Cosmetic Surgery Financing

“Before moving forward with a payment plan or financing solution, it’s important to determine whether your cosmetic care would be eligible for your financial savings program or covered by health insurance,” says Behm.

For example, if the procedure is considered reconstructive surgery to correct facial and body abnormalities caused by birth defects, injuries or diseases, it could be partially or fully covered. For example, a breast reduction for someone with a history of back problems may qualify for coverage.

If you have to pay out of pocket, before you shop lenders, shop medical providers, says Bruce McClary, spokesperson for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. “Shop around in the marketplace to see if what you’re being charged is competitive,” he says. Tools like Fair Health Consumer can tell you average pricing based on your area.

The next step is to look at your resources to see how you can pay for the cosmetic procedure. Are you able to use some of your personal savings? Can you tap into your available credit?

Lastly, put each of your cosmetic surgery financing options to the affordability test. “Be mindful about how payments are going to fit into your budget, and what is the long-term cost, including interest above and beyond the price of the procedure,” says McClary.

Regardless of which route you take, on-time payments are critical for protecting your credit score and avoiding late fees, says Behm.

[Read: Credit Cards With Sign-up Bonuses]

How to Compare Plastic Surgery Loans

If you decide to take out a personal loan, follow these steps to find the best loan for your needs.

— Check your credit. Interest rates can vary considerably, and your approved rate will mostly depend on your credit score, says McClary. See where you stand before you shop for loans. The higher your score, the more likely you’ll qualify for the lower end of a lender’s APR range.

— See if you prequalify. If potential lenders have an option to check your rate without a hard credit check, go for it. It can give you some real numbers to compare. Just be mindful that you won’t know your official loan cost until you submit the full application.

— Look at rates and terms. “Make sure you’re keeping an eye on other types of fees you have to pay,” says McClary, such as origination fees. In addition, there may be terms and conditions that impact your repayment, like early payment penalties.

Other Ways to Finance Cosmetic Surgery

Provider Payment Plans

Before taking on a loan or credit card, have a conversation with your provider. “Sometimes you can work out a plan in which you’re not charged interest on the amount you have to pay and payments can be split up in installments,” says McClary. Your doctor may expect faster resolution than you might be able to afford, however, meaning the minimum monthly payment could be higher than what it would be with a loan or credit card.

Medical Credit Cards

Specialized medical credit cards

, like CareCredit, are designed for patients to cover their out-of-pocket expenses. Typically, you can apply in your provider’s office. These cards often offer deferred interest, which means if you don’t pay your balance within the promotional period, you’ll be charged retroactive interest. So, have a plan for paying off your balance before the promotional period ends.

Regular Credit Cards

Regular credit cards may be worth exploring to cover the cost of cosmetic procedures — especially if you have a high enough credit score to qualify for a 0% introductory APR offer, says McClary. “If there’s enough room in the credit line to cover the cost, it’s certainly a viable option.” These cards usually offer between 12 to 18 months of no interest, but then the regular APR will kick in. If you think you can make significant progress on the bill before the promotional period ends, you may save on borrowing costs.

[Read: Best Personal Loans.]

Plastic Surgery Financing Options to Avoid

There are some types of borrowing you should try to avoid at all costs, says McClary. For example, drawing funds from your 401(k) or other retirement accounts. ‘”You’ll be weakening your financial position at a time in your life when you need the money the most,” he says.

Another risky option is borrowing against the equity in your home. “It may seem like a convenient pool of money, but there are serious consequences if you can’t pay as agreed — your home is on the line,” says McClary.

[Read: 0% Introductory APR Credit Cards]

Should You Get Cosmetic Surgery Financing?

The answer depends on how important the surgery is to you and how borrowing will impact you going forward. Most importantly, don’t feel pressured into making a financing decision while you’re in the doctor’s office. Just as you shopped around to find the best doctor for your procedure, take the time to figure out which financing option is best for your financial health.

More from U.S. News

How to Get Preapproved for a Credit Card

How Often Can You Open New Credit Card Accounts?

What to Look for In Your Credit Card’s Terms and Conditions

Plastic Surgery Financing Options: 6 Best Loans for 2026 originally appeared on usnews.com

Update 05/12/26: This story was previously published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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