The last few years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of men opting for plastic surgeries. Several factors seem to be contributing to this growing interest in aesthetic enhancement.
Confidence: Technological advances have made it possible for plastic surgeons to create completely natural looking results with relative ease. The use of lasers and advanced techniques are decreasing both procedure time and healing time. The growing numbers of both men and women choosing to undergo cosmetic procedures reflects a high level of confidence in surgeons and doctors.
Career moves: Perhaps more than ever before, an individual’s professional success can depend on his/her outward appearance. Older men frequently choose plastic surgery in order to maintain a healthy, vigorous look.
A Boost: Men are realizing that feeling good about oneself can improve self-confidence. As cosmetic surgery is becoming more widely accepted, men are choosing both minor and major procedures in order to enhance their looks and boost their body image.
The following are a few of the most popular surgeries among men:
Hair Replacement
The most common hair replacement procedure is the simple hair transplant. In this procedure, doctors use lasers or medical scalpels to remove hair follicles from areas of the scalp that are non-balding -- usually the back of the head or at the hairline. These follicles are then inserted into bald or thinning areas.
Another common procedure is scalp flap surgery. In this procedure, doctors cut a whole strip of hair out of one section of the scalp, then rotate and insert it into an incision made on the bald area.
Scalp reductions entail cutting a specified area of skin from the top of the head and then stretching the remaining scalp upward. This process shifts the hairline up and allows the existing hair to cover the bald area.
Not all hair replacement options are surgical procedures. Propecia and Monoxodil are two FDA approved drugs used to combat hair loss. The former comes in the form of an oral tablet, the latter as a topical solution. Both are popular alternatives to hair replacement procedures.
Liposuction Liposuction is currently the number one cosmetic surgery performed on men. Between 1992 and 1998, the number of men undergoing liposuction in the U.S. quadrupled – from 5,000 per year to about 20,000 per year.
Eyelid Surgery
Both upper eyelid surgery and lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) are extremely popular with both men and women. These procedures are used to remove excess tissue from around the upper and lower parts of the eyelid, eliminating droopy eyes and saggy skin.
Nose Reshaping
Nose reshaping surgeries are also on the rise for men. In 1998, about 13,000 men in the U.S. opted to undergo some kind of rhinoplasty (plastic surgery of the nose).
Breast Reduction
Between 1992 and 1998, the number of men undergoing Breast reductions doubled -- increasing from 5,000 per year to 10,000 per year.
Facelift
Men are beginning to learn what many women have known for years -- wrinkles make us appear older. Another of the most popular surgeries among men is the facelift.
Other Treatments
Renova, laser skin resurfacing and microdermabrasion are also increasingly popular with men. Renova is a topical cream used at home to smooth the skin and eliminate discoloration. Laser skin resurfacing is used to dramatically smooth the skin, eliminate many acne scars and even remove uneven skin tones and fine wrinkles. Microdermabrasion is a milder, in-office procedure used to remove the top, rough layer of skin on the face to expose the softer, smoother skin beneath.
Men are learning what women have known for centuries. A little self-pampering not only improves appearance, but it can go a long way toward reducing stress, improving self-confidence and strengthening one’s sense of well-being. And that kind of proactive attitude toward self-care is, in itself, appealing – in men and women alike.
