Women have long been held to a higher aging standard than men, but it appears as though that divide may be closing. The taboo against “an interest in how you look” among men is receding, perhaps in part because of social media and the constant sharing of photos. Another reason for this shift may be the increased pressure to maintain a more attractive and youthful look in a highly competitive job market.
However, what still persists is the education gap regarding medical aesthetics between men and women. According to a recent study, men are a decade behind women in their understanding of medical aesthetic procedures. Lots of women did not accept Neurotoxins 10 years ago, and that is still true of men today. One of the biggest hurdles is educating men that these procedures are not just for women and how they can benefit them by enhancing their masculine features. Although the goals for women and men may differ, essentially all patients want to look natural, trust their physicians and get a good result.
The Bro-Tox Trend and Injectable Fillers
Injections for men continue to be on the rise as they are becoming more accepted, both by the public and by the men being injected. According to a new study the number of American men getting Neurotoxins injections, which relax the facial muscles to minimize lines and wrinkles, has skyrocketed 355% since the year 2000. Injectable fillers, such as Juvederm and Voluma, are also on the rise.
The male aesthetic ideal is distinctly different than the soft curves, arched brow, and high cheekbones sought by female patients. In general, men’s faces are boxier and more angular and it is important that these features are maintained and enhanced by these procedures. In addition, because men have larger faces, thicker skin, and stronger muscles, they typically require higher doses in order to achieve the desired results.
The newest injectable treatment, Kybella, can offer men a stronger, more masculine jawline by dissolving the excess fat under their chin.
With the growing acceptance of cosmetic surgery for men, we are continuing to see more men that are undergoing procedures to tighten and tone problem areas. The most common of which is the chest. For the first time, men accounted for more than 40% of breast reduction (gynecomastia) surgeries. Chest reduction surgery is a life-changing procedure that can have a profound effect on a patient’s self-confidence.
Excess chest tissue can be caused by a variety of factors, including medications such as antidepressants, certain heart medications, and even some hair loss medications can lead to male chest enlargement. Other factors include marijuana or steroid use. Despite these contributing factors, the vast majority of chest enlargement is seen in younger men (20’s to 30’s) and has no specific underlying cause.
Surgery often involves a combination of liposuction and excision of excessive breast tissue that is performed through very small incisions that heal exceptionally well. After surgical correction, the chance of recurrence is very small.
All about the eyes
When it comes to the face, men’s biggest concern are their eyes. I will commonly hear men say that they want to look “less tired and tense.” Blepharoplasty, also known as “eyelid surgery” or “eye lift surgery” is a highly individualized procedure. It helps men refine the contour of their upper eyelids by removing extra skin; it can also help smooth hollows, bags, or puffiness of the lower eyelid by removing excess fat or skin. For some men, eyelid surgery may also improve sad or down-turned eyes. Blepharoplasty is often combined with brow lift surgery and/or Botox for optimal improvement in the eye area.
Prevent the Wrinkles!
Probably the simplest and most important thing men can do to prevent premature facial wrinkles is wear a daily facial sunscreen. The majority of women’s makeup has sunscreen in it, protecting them from premature aging. As men tend to have more sun exposure in their jobs and recreational activities the use of a daily sunscreen cannot be stressed enough and is easy to put on after shaving in the morning.