Plastic surgery for men has been increasing steadily over the past 20 years. Men are embracing plastic surgery to regain a more youthful figure and to eliminate some of the facial signs of aging via procedures such as rhinoplasty, facial rejuvenation and liposuction.
As this infographic (courtesy of Male Plastic Surgery New York) shows, over 1 million cosmetic procedures were performed on men in 2012, an increase of 106% since data was collected in 1997.
Why Men Choose Plastic Surgery
One of the primary reasons men report that they chose to have cosmetic enhancements is a perceived need to appear as young and virile as possible in light of a tight job market. While this may be a misconception on a man’s part, it’s certainly true that if you feel that you look your best, it’s likely that your boost in self-esteem and self-confidence will play itself out in the workplace and in job interviews. Looking younger makes one feel younger.
Top Cosmetic Procedures for Men
The top 5 cosmetic procedures for men are:
1. Liposuction
2. Rhinoplasty
3. Eyelid Rejuvenation
4. Facelift
5. Male Breast Reduction
How Male Plastic Surgery Differs from Female Plastic Surgery
Liposuction for Men
Although liposuction cannot be considered a “weight loss method,” it can sculpt the body, particularly the abdomen, for a sleeker, more masculine appearance. Men often come to my Indiana plastic surgery practice to have tighter and more sculpted abs and to eliminate love handles. Liposuction is an excellent choice for these outcomes, particularly if the man has good skin that will “bounce back” after the fat has been removed.
Male Rhinoplasty
It’s extremely important that the size of the nose is in balance with the rest of the face. Like women, men vary in size and, therefore, there is no “male nose” that is appropriate for all men. However, a man’s nose is, by nature, more masculine in appearance than is a woman’s nose. Perhaps “stronger” is a better word. Most men who consult a plastic surgeon for a rhinoplasty seek to address one or more of the following concerns:
1. Difficulty breathing through the nose
2. Reduction of very bulky nostrils
3. Narrow a large nasal bridge
4. Lift the nasal tip
Eyelid Rejuvenation for Men
Bags under the eyes, sagging brows and fatty eyelids are common concerns men have about their eyes, which are often the first place to reveal the signs of aging. By removing fatty tissue and excess skin, a man’s eyes can have a much younger appearance. Male blepharoplasty is similar to that performed for women except that the contour and shape of men’s brows and eyelids differ in that their muscles and tissue tend to be thicker and heavier. These subtle differences are well known to me, after having performed hundreds of blepharoplasty procedures over my career as a board certified plastic surgeon here in Indiana. In my experience, a male brow is full, low and thick, unlike a woman’s brow, which is more arched than a man’s. Further, while a woman may wish for very smooth eyelids, it’s important for men that they not appear “done,” particularly in the eye area. If you Google the unfortunate blepharoplasty results of Hollywood stars such as Bruce Jenner, Burt Reynolds and Kenny Rogers, you will see what I mean about looking as if they “had something done.” Subtlety is key in any cosmetic surgery procedure, but particularly in eyelid rejuvenation for men.
The Male Facelift
As mentioned above, Hollywood is replete with poor facelifting results among men. The names above come to mind when I think about faces that are pulled too tightly, with little youthful fat beneath the skin. Because men do not usually wear their hair long, it’s particularly important to leave them with scars that are as invisible as possible by hiding them in the hairline and in front of the ear around the tragus (that little “button” that’s at the front of the ear). Further, because most men shave their faces, it’s essential that the facelift not be done in such a manner that a man must shave his ears in order to appear “normal” after the procedure! This requires very delicate suturing and a clear anticipation of the final result.
Male Breast Reduction
There are two times in a man’s life when his breasts are most likely to enlarge: puberty and what might be termed “male menopause,” when a man’s estrogen and testosterone hormones are in flux. Most teens with gynecomastia (the proper term for enlarged breasts) outgrow the phenomenon, though some benefit from judicious liposuction if the enlargement does not subside when they reach their late teens or early 20s. Older men, due to weight gain, genetics and/or this flip-flopping of hormone levels (i.e., more estrogen and less testosterone in the system) often find that, in the absence of an endocrine abnormality, a male breast reduction, either via liposuction or surgical tissue removal, can restore a more masculine chest.
As you can see, men are drinking from the Fountain of Youth known as aesthetic or cosmetic surgery. If there is a man in your life who has been wondering if a procedure might restore his self-confidence, send him to see me in consultation at either my Valparaiso or Schererville office. He can phone us at 800-721-3244 or complete this discreet online consultation form. I’ll be happy to advise him on the options he could take to feel better about his body.
To your health & beauty,
Gus Galante, MD
Board Certified Indiana Plastic Surgeon
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