You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website.
With nearly a decade covering personal finance, Rebecca Safier simplifies loans and other complex financial topics to help people manage their money with confidence. Her work has been featured in Forbes Advisor, Buy Side from WSJ, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek Vault and other publications. Rebecca has her student loan certification from the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors and her Master of Education in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
With nearly a decade covering personal finance, Rebecca Safier simplifies loans and other complex financial topics to help people manage their money with confidence. Her work has been featured in Forbes Advisor, Buy Side from WSJ, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek Vault and other publications. Rebecca has her student loan certification from the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors and her Master of Education in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Jordan Tarver has spent seven years covering mortgage, personal loan and business loan content for leading financial publications such as Forbes Advisor. He blends knowledge from his bachelor's degree in business finance, his experience as a top performer in the mortgage industry and his entrepreneurial success to simplify complex financial topics. Jordan aims to make mortgages and loans understandable.
Jordan Tarver has spent seven years covering mortgage, personal loan and business loan content for leading financial publications such as Forbes Advisor. He blends knowledge from his bachelor's degree in business finance, his experience as a top performer in the mortgage industry and his entrepreneurial success to simplify complex financial topics. Jordan aims to make mortgages and loans understandable.
Lead Editor, Mortgages & Loans
Reviewed
Updated: May 1, 2024, 10:22am
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Americans are spending more money on plastic surgery than ever before, shelling out a total of $8.7 billion on aesthetic plastic surgery in the first half of 2021, according to the Aesthetic Society. Since health insurance rarely covers elective procedures, most patients need to pay for them out of pocket or with plastic surgery financing.
One popular payment method for plastic surgery is a personal loan, which is a type of installment loan that you can use toward cosmetic surgery or almost any other legal purpose. Compare the best options below to find the right one for you.
Why you can trust Forbes Advisor: Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the loans methodology for the ratings below.
29 nationwide lenders researched
16 data points evaluated and scored
10+ years of combined personal finance experience
Best Plastic Surgery Financing Options of 2024
BEST OVERALL PLASTIC SURGERY LOAN
SoFi®
4.0
Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
SoFi is an online lending platform that offers unsecured fixed-rate personal loans in every state. Founded in 2011, SoFi has extended over $50 billion in loans and stands out for allowing high loan amounts and its availability of extended loan terms.
Loans are available from $5,000 to $100,000, making SoFi a great option for those with excellent credit who need to borrow a large amount of money. Loan amounts available may vary by the state you live in. Repayment terms range from two to seven years, making SoFi an incredibly flexible option for those with sufficient credit (minimum 650) and annual income (at least $45,000). SoFi also lets prospective borrowers submit joint applications—although co-signers are not permitted.
Approved borrowers are rewarded with comparatively low APRs. What’s more, SoFi doesn’t charge origination fees, late fees or prepayment penalties—a stand-out feature because personal loan lenders often charge origination or late payment fees at a minimum.
However, if you’re considering a debt consolidating loan from SoFi, keep in mind that the lender does not offer direct payment to a borrower’s other creditors. This means the loan proceeds will be deposited to your bank account and you’ll have to pay off your other lenders individually. The platform does offer customers a number of other perks and discounts.
Pros & Cons
Prequalification with a soft credit check
Funding as quickly as the same day of loan approval
Offers direct payments to third-party creditors for debt consolidation
High credit score requirement
High minimum loan amount
Details
Eligibility:
Minimum credit score required. 650
Minimum annual income. $45,000
Co-borrowers. Permitted
Co-signers. Not permitted
Expert’s Take
What I find impressive about SoFi is its innovative approach to lending, with a focus on providing borrowers with personalized loan options tailored to their unique financial situations.
As a small business owner, I benefited from SoFi’s competitive rates and borrower-friendly terms, which include no origination fees or prepayment penalties. Also, SoFi’s member benefits, such as career coaching and financial planning resources, add value beyond just the loan itself, making it an attractive choice for entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses while managing their finances responsibly.
— Michael Ashley, finance expert, Richiest.com
BEST FOR LOW INTEREST RATES
LightStream
4.0
Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
LightStream offers loans with both a low minimum and maximum interest rate, along with a rate-beat program. LightStream’s unsecured personal loans range from $5,000 to $100,000 with loan amounts varying based on the loan purpose. In addition to offering appealing and flexible terms, LightStream charges no origination, late payment or prepayment fees. The lender also offers a 0.50% rate discount for borrowers who enroll in autopay.
Pros & Cons
Long loan terms available
Low interest rates
Fast approval and funding
No prequalification option
High minimum loan amount
Low average customer rating on Trustpilot
Details
Eligibility:
Minimum credit score. 660
Minimum income. Does not disclose
Co-borrowers. Permitted
Expert’s Take
Lightstream, a division of Trust Bank, is known for its range of loan options and competitive rates. The downside can be its strict eligibility criteria, making it difficult for those with less-than-stellar credit history to gain approval.
— Jonathan Feniak, general counsel and head of finance, LLC Attorney
BEST FOR FAST FUNDING & BELOW-AVERAGE CREDIT
LendingPoint
4.0
Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
LendingPoint is an online lender based in Atlanta that offers personal loans to prospective borrowers in 48 states and Washington D.C.; it does not offer loans in Nevada and West Virginia. Prospective borrowers in eligible states can apply online and benefit from quick funding.
LendingPoint personal loans range from $2,000 to $36,500; Georgia loans have a minimum loan amount of $3,500. Repayment terms range from 24 to 72 months—or two to six years.
There are two main disadvantages to LendingPoint: high maximum APRs and origination fees. While you can typically avoid high APRs by maintaining a high credit score, LendingPoint origination fees (up to 10%) depend on the state you live in.
Pros & Cons
Quick funding
Low credit score requirements
No prepayment penalty
Origination fee up to 10%
Co-signers or joint loans not permitted
Not available in Nevada and West Virginia
Details
Eligibility:
Minimum credit score. 600
Minimum annual income. $35,000
Co-signers. Not permitted
Expert’s Take
LendingPoint can be a good option for those who may not have a high credit score. They focus more on the potential borrower’s job history and income when determining loan eligibility and rates.
— Jonathan Feniak, general counsel and head of finance, LLC Attorney
Upgrade
3.5
Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Upgrade was launched in 2017 and provides accessible online and mobile credit and banking services. Since that time, the platform has made more than $3 billion in credit available to over 10 million applicants and continues to expand its online and mobile services. Although maximum APRs are on the high end compared to other online lenders, Upgrade makes loans available to those with poor credit history.
Loans amounts, which range from $1,000 to $50,000. Upgrade has two- to seven-year terms available. Upgrade charges an origination fee between 1.85% and 9.99% of the loan, and borrowers will encounter a $10 fee if their payment is more than 15 days late or if the payment does not go through; there are no discounts for autopay. That said, Upgrade borrowers are not subject to a prepayment penalty, so you can reduce the overall cost of the loan if you’re able to pay it off early.
Beyond offering accessible personal loans, Upgrade streamlines the lending process with a mobile app that lets borrowers view their balance, make payments and update personal information. Upgrade’s Credit Heath tool also makes it easy to track your credit score over the life of your loan.
Pros & Cons
Low minimum credit score requirement
Offers direct lender payoff for debt consolidation loans
No income requirement
High APR range
Charges fees for late payments and insufficient funds
Charges origination fees from 1.85% and 9.99%
Details
Eligibility:
Minimum credit score. 580
Minimum income. None
Co-applicants. Permitted
Expert’s Take
Upgrade’s personal loans come with a unique feature—mandatory automatic payments. While this is an effective default prevention measure, it might not suit everyone, especially those with irregular income streams.
— Jonathan Feniak, general counsel and head of finance, LLC Attorney
BEST FOR COMPARING MULTIPLE OFFERS
Universal Credit
3.5
Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Universal Credit is an online lending platform that offers personal loans between $1,000 to $50,000 through its partners. Repayment terms range from three to seven years.
While Universal Credit makes finding a personal loan accessible even to those with damaged credit, it comes with a few tradeoffs. First, it charges high APRs, well above the most competitive rates seen on our list. Second, Universal Credit charges a 5.25% to 9.99% origination fee on all personal loans. Because this is deducted from your loan proceeds, you’ll need to factor this in when determining your loan amount to ensure you receive the necessary amount after the fact.
Pros & Cons
Flexible qualification requirements
Next-day funding
No prepayment penalty
High APRs
All personal loans charge a 5.25% to 9.99% origination fee
Details
Eligibility:
Minimum credit score: 580
Minimum income requirement: Does not disclose
Doesn’t allow co-signers or co-borrowers
Loan uses:
Debt consolidation
Large expense
Home project
BEST FOR NO INTEREST IF REPAID WITHIN 30 DAYS
Discover
3.5
Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Discover is an online bank that also offers customers credit cards, retirement solutions and personal loans in all 50 states. As a lending platform, Discover stands out because of its online application and mobile banking tools, well-reviewed customer support team and quick funding.
In general, loans are available from $2,500 to $40,000 and may be issued for between three and seven years. So, while borrowers may get a larger loan from another lender, the repayment terms are fairly flexible. Discover charges a late payment fee and does not offer an autopay discount; however, it does not charge any origination fees or prepayment penalties, making it competitive with other top personal loan providers.
Pros & Cons
Option to pay off creditors directly
No origination fees or prepayment penalties
Directly pays creditors
Charges late fees
Low maximum loan amount
Details
Eligibility:
Minimum credit score: 660
Minimum household income: $25,000
Doesn’t allow co-signers or co-borrowers
Loan uses:
Medical bills
Business expenses
Home renovation
Summary: Best Plastic Surgery Financing Options of 2024
We reviewed 29 popular lenders based on 16 data points in the categories of loan details, loan costs, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and the application process. We chose the best lenders based on the weighting assigned to each category:
Loan cost: 35%
Loan details: 20%
Eligibility and accessibility: 20%
Customer experience: 15%
Application process: 10%
Within each major category, we also considered several characteristics, including available loan amounts, repayment terms, annual percentage rate (APR) ranges and applicable fees. We also looked at minimum credit score requirements, whether each lender accepts co-signers or joint applications and the geographic availability of the lender. Finally, we evaluated each provider’s customer support tools, borrower perks and features that simplify the borrowing process—like prequalification options and mobile apps.
Where appropriate, we awarded partial points depending on how well a lender met each criterion.
Compare interest rates. A lower interest rate could mean a more affordable monthly payment and less interest charges over the life of your loan.
Check for fees. Along with interest rates, look for any fees that could add to your costs of borrowing, such as an origination fee.
Review repayment terms. Find out how long you have to pay the loan back, as your loan term will impact your monthly payment amount and long-term interest costs.
Check out eligibility requirements. Every lender sets its own borrowing criteria, so find out what’s required in terms of credit score, income, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio and other factors.
Explore loan features. Find out if the loans you’re considering come with any special features, such as credit score monitoring or the option to defer payments.
Read borrower reviews. Before selecting a lender, check out customer reviews on sites such as Trustpilot to find out if other borrowers had a good or bad experience.
See if you can prequalify. Some personal loan lenders let you check your rates instantly, thereby making it easier to compare multiple loan offers and repayment options with no impact on your credit score.
How To Pay for Plastic Surgery
There are a variety of ways to finance plastic surgery if your insurance doesn’t cover it. Here are some options to consider.
Personal Loan
Personal loans provide a lump sum of money upfront that you can put toward your plastic surgery costs. You’ll pay back the amount over several years with fixed monthly payments, plus interest. Some lenders also charge an origination fee, typically between 1% and 8% of the loan amount.
Since most personal loans are unsecured, meaning they don’t require collateral, lenders tend to have more stringent qualification requirements compared to secured loans. How you pay back your personal loan can also impact your credit. On-time payments can help improve your score while late payments could damage it.
Payment Plan
Some plastic surgeons offer payment plans to their patients. Depending on your doctor, you might be able to break up the cost of your cosmetic procedure over time without having to pay interest on the amount. It could be worth asking the office about payment options and credit score requirements, if any. Some payment plans don’t have any credit requirements, so bad credit won’t prevent you from using one.
Note that some doctor’s offices might refer you to a third-party lender or credit card company for a loan or medical credit card.
Medical Credit Card
Another option for plastic surgery financing is a medical credit card. Designed to cover medical expenses, these cards often offer 0% APR or a reduced APR if you pay off your balance within a certain period of time. Popular medical credit card CareCredit, for example, offers 0% APR if you pay off your charge of $200 or more within six to 24 months.
The downside of these cards, however, is that you may owe deferred interest if you still have a balance when the 0% APR period ends. Your interest charges could be high, as credit cards often carry APRs of 15% or more.
0% APR Credit Card
You may also explore other 0% APR credit cards. Some cards let you make interest-free purchases for up to 21 months. As long as you pay off your entire balance within that time period, you won’t owe any interest. However, you run the risk of having to pay interest charges when the promotional period ends.
It’s also worth noting that charging a large amount to a credit card will increase your credit utilization ratio, which could drop your credit score. What’s more, you likely need good credit (at least 670) to qualify for one of these cards.
Personal Savings
If you’re looking for financing for plastic surgery, you might consider a personal loan, credit card or payment plan from your doctor. However, these options can come with interest and fees, as well as potentially damage your credit if you make late payments or drive up your credit utilization ratio.
To avoid these risks, consider saving up for your plastic surgery instead. Set aside money each week or month into a savings account that’s earmarked for your procedure. If you can spend time saving for your surgery, you won’t have to take on debt or pay interest.
Plastic Surgery Financing With Bad Credit
If you have bad credit, your options for plastic surgery financing may be more limited. However, you may still be able to find a personal loan lender who will work with you. Every lender sets its own credit requirements, and some are more flexible than others. By reaching out to multiple lenders, you may be able to find one who can help.
Apply With a Co-Signer
Some lenders also let you apply with a creditworthy co-signer if your own credit is weak. Adding a co-signer to your application could help you qualify for a loan or land better rates. Your co-signer becomes responsible for the loan if you default, though, and your repayment history will impact their credit. Make sure you’re both aware of the financial implications before co-signing on debt.
Improve Your Credit
Finally, you might consider trying to improve your credit before applying for plastic surgery financing. If you can resolve any debt in collections, dispute errors on your credit report and take other steps to boost your credit, you could put yourself in a better position to qualify for a personal loan or 0% APR credit card.
How To Apply for a Loan for Plastic Surgery
If you’re looking to borrow a personal loan to cover plastic surgery costs, take these steps to apply:
Review your credit. Before you start applying, check your credit score through your credit card issuer or another free credit monitoring service. Since lenders rely on your credit when considering you for a loan, it’s important to know what your credit looks like and if you can take any steps to improve it.
Research lenders. Shop around with multiple lenders to find a loan with the lowest borrowing costs. Some lenders let you prequalify for a loan, which lets you check your rates without impacting your credit score.
Gather your documentation. Although requirements vary by lender, you’ll likely need proof of employment and income with documents such as pay stubs, tax returns or bank statements.
Submit your application. When you’ve found a loan that works for you, fill out the application, along with any verifying documents. At this point, the lender may run a hard credit inquiry to check your credit.
Receive your loan and start repayment. The lender will likely deposit the funds into your bank account, which you can then use to cover your plastic surgery costs. Review your loan agreement to find out when your monthly payments are due.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best way to finance plastic surgery?
The best way to finance plastic surgery depends on the cost of the procedure, your credit profile and other factors. Some popular options include a personal loan, medical credit card, 0% APR credit card and payment plans from the doctor’s office. Paying out of pocket can also be a savvy option if possible since it lets you avoid interest and fees.
What credit score is needed for cosmetic surgery financing?
If you’re looking to borrow a personal loan to finance cosmetic surgery, you’ll likely need a credit score of at least 670; however, some lenders accept scores as low as 560.
If your credit score is lower, you may be able to qualify by applying with a creditworthy co-signer. Some surgeons’ offices may offer cosmetic surgery payment plans that don’t have a minimum credit score requirement.
Can you put plastic surgery on a credit card?
You should be able to put plastic surgery on a credit card as long as the cost doesn’t exceed your credit limit and the doctor’s office accepts your card. You may also be able to charge the surgery to multiple cards if you’ve run up against a credit limit.
Can you get a loan for plastic surgery?
It’s possible to get a personal loan for plastic surgery as long as you can meet certain qualification requirements. Most lenders like to see that you have a FICO credit score of at least 670 before approving you for a loan, as well as sufficient income to pay it back on time.
Assuming you qualify, you can typically borrow a personal loan between $1,000 and $100,000 with a fixed interest rate between 4% and 36%. Borrowers with the strongest credit tend to get the most competitive rates.
Do banks give loans for plastic surgery?
Many banks offer personal loans that you can use for almost any purpose, including plastic surgery. Loan amounts and interest rates will vary by bank, so shop around to find a loan offer that provides the funding you need.
What kind of loan should I get for plastic surgery?
You could consider using a personal loan to cover plastic surgery costs since you can use it to cover the cost of nearly anything and pay it back in monthly installments over a year or longer. Some medical providers also offer payment plans that allow you to finance the expense over a certain period of time. You could also consider a medical credit card or 0% APR credit card, but be wary of high interest charges and fees that could add significantly to your costs of borrowing.
How hard is it to get plastic surgery financing?
Depending on the financing option you choose, you may need to have good or excellent credit and a steady source of income to qualify for plastic surgery financing. Some financing options include a personal loan, credit card and payment plan from your medical provider.
Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
With nearly a decade covering personal finance, Rebecca Safier simplifies loans and other complex financial topics to help people manage their money with confidence. Her work has been featured in Forbes Advisor, Buy Side from WSJ, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek Vault and other publications. Rebecca has her student loan certification from the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors and her Master of Education in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Was this article helpful?
Send feedback to the editorial team
Thank You for your feedback!
Something went wrong. Please try again later.
The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers' offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisers' offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Advisor. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Advisor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. Here is a list of our partners who offer products that we have affiliate links for.
