Our society places a high value on looking young and fit. Today, men of all ages and all walks of life are requesting plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons. Some looking for a balanced nose, eyelid lift or the removal of a muffin top.
By Kevin Smith, MD
and The Plastic Surgery Channel
Men want plastic surgery for two reasons: to look good and stay competitive in the job market. “Men get surgery as a key tool to help them succeed. In a marketplace where looking fit, younger, and more masculine is imperative, the better you look, the better your chances of ascending the corporate ladder.”
It’s not so much vanity as it is good business. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery now reveals that Americans spent over $12 billion on assorted procedures in 2014. One sector in particular is on the rise. “More men are turning to aesthetic cosmetic procedures, with dramatic increases seen in both surgical and nonsurgical options over the past 5 years and a 43 percent increase overall,” the organization stated.
Different objectives at varying lifestages
Helping young men advance in their careers is a powerful marketing tool. With an enhanced jaw, elongated chin and enhanced cheekbones, he suddenly looks like the cover of GQ!
When it comes to the CEO or board member, they want to look wise and experienced. In those situations, they want to look young and confident, but may want to leave a few wrinkles intact! Wrinkles may add an element of trustworthiness — like something you may see on the cover of Forbes.
Botox and fillers for men, too!
Injectables can reduce frown lines and crows feet. Sometimes it’s as simple as reducing an angry or tired look with Botox® or neck contouring to tighten a loose neck or jaw line.
By using an artistic approach, superficial wrinkles can be treated with Juvederm Ultra XC (airbrushing). Sculpting can be done with deeper injections. There are several types of fillers, each with it’s own characteristics and uses. Advanced techniques ensure that people will notice a more restful appearance without looking fake.
“Men want faster recovery times with a rapid return to work and we don’t like to wear make-up or talk about plastic surgery,” says Dr. Smith.
Body Contouring
Another area of concern for me is the dreaded love handle area. Dr. Smith says,”The biggest problem areas seem to be the abdomen. That stubborn muffin top. For guys, that is the bulk of it.”
Body contouring can be done with surgical or non-surgical modalities, so there are a lot of options.
Liposuction involves more downtime, while CoolSculpting at Charlotte Plastic Surgery allows people to be treated during their lunch hour. A device is clamped on the target areas. In about 3 months you’ll see results. Depending on the amount of fat stores — you may need more than one treatment. The cost of non-surgical and surgical modalities are about the same due to the number of treatments CoolSculpting may require.
Eyelid Surgery
If you look in the mirror and see nothing but tired, it probably has to do with your eyes. “We see a lot of patients who may need eyelid surgery. Puffy bags around the eyes or sagging upper eyelids can make you look tired,” explains Smith. Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, can correct drooping lids and puffy bags by removing excess fat and skin.
Guys seem to gravitate toward eyelid surgery because it’s less down time than a facelift and can be performed without general anesthesia. The results can last up to 10 years.
For all of us, a well-rested appearance is truly the end goal. “We want people to say, wow, you finally got some sleep — not ‘who’s your surgeon'”, says Dr. Smith who takes a natural approach to make sure his patients don’t look overdone. Feeling confident in yourself and appearance makes for a more confident presence in the workplace.