There is no denying that our society can place a high value on appearances and in today’s world, both men and women feel the pressure to fit in and have the “look.” It may seem surprising to some, but over the past few years, there has been an increase in men undergoing plastic surgery.
The New Trend
Today, there is a greater acceptance of cosmetic procedures and a higher value placed on looking one’s best. Just like women, men want to change their appearance to best suit their ideal self, and with advances in technology, the signs of plastic surgery can be minimal making it so that your procedure can be as discreet as you want it to be.
What Men Want
Though men are increasingly seeking the help of surgeons to achieve their aesthetic desires and undergoing some of the same procedures as women, the goals of treatment are different. Men want results that make them appear more masculine and younger but also blend into their existing features for more natural results.
The biggest concern men have when considering cosmetic surgery is that the results will be obvious. They don’t want results that look too perfect or straight, they want to retain some of their natural features with just a hint of refinement. For these results, we encourage our patients to seek out surgeons or doctors who have experience in performing procedures specifically on men, as the skills used to make a more strong and masculine appearance differ from those used to make more delicate feminine features.
Top Procedures Performed for Men
Neurotoxins and Fillers
Neurotoxins, the cosmetic uses of the botulinum toxin, more commonly known as Botox, work by blocking signals within the injected muscles to prevent contracting or tightening. This causes the muscle to relax, softening the appearance of lines and creases.
Fillers (of which there are many) may be used to “fill out” or lesson deep wrinkles and grooves.
These fast injections are truly “lunch-time” procedures and are the most common cosmetic procedures performed on men. They are minimally invasive way to combat signs of aging, no doubt accounting for their overwhelming acceptance and popularity in men. While many different types of doctors and non-doctors perform these injections, we believe that it is worth it to seek out a highly trained injector for your treatment to minimize the risks of adverse reactions. This is why Dr. Kass personally performs all of the cosmetic injections in our Center.
Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure performed on the upper or lower eyelids to improve the appearance of the eyes. This can be beneficial if fatty deposits, loose skin, or excess fat create folds that impede your vision or make your eyes appear puffy. Eyelid surgery is easily the most common cosmetic procedure done in men (second in women after breast augmentation). The incisions heal beautifully over time and the results, which can look completely natural, can take years off of one’s appearance. Not always but quite often, men seek eyelid surgery to look younger because they believe that doing so is necessary to compete for business in today’s youth oriented society.
Eyelid surgery is an excellent step to combatting signs of age with a quick recovery period and any scarring is often hidden within the creases of your eyelid hiding any signs of your procedure.
Facelift
Men are seeking out facelift procedures in ever increasing numbers. With advances in techniques and anesthesia, facelifts can easily be accomplished as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. Incisions have been shortened (limited incision lifts) and are hidden in natural creases for best results. No other procedure can alleviate a fatty and saggy turkey neck and rejuvenate the jowl and jawline. A limited incision facelift provides superb results for these troublesome areas with results which last for many years. Is it any wonder that more and more men seek out this treatment? We would advise any man who is interested to seek out a surgeon who concentrates primarily on the face for best results. At the Kass Center, we perform more facelifts on both men and on women each and every year than any other surgeon we know! We believe that our results speak for themselves.
Liposuction
Liposuction can reshape and slim areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits. Treatable areas include the ankles, legs, thighs, buttocks, hips, waist, abdomen, back, chest, arms, and neck.
For men, most don’t undergo liposuction to become thin and slender but want to get rid of excess fat and reshape areas of the body to look stronger. In some cases, liposuction can be used to augment areas, and fat can be removed and placed under the muscle to add volume to areas so they appear boarder and thicker.
Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is the enlargement or swelling of breast tissue in men and can occur at any age. The causes can vary from weight, heredity, hormonal changes, and other lifestyle factors. Gynecomastia surgery will remove the tissue and flatten the chest area, but patients have also undergone this surgery to contour the chest area.
Recovery
The recovery period for each procedure will vary based on the patient’s condition. However, whether the recovery is a few days or weeks, it is critical to ensuring successful results. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions for post-care. They may include taking time off work, avoiding strenuous activity, or staying out of the sun.
We understand that it can be difficult for men to take time off and rest during recovery as they may be tempted to “tough” it out, but not following a doctor’s orders may affect your procedure’s outcome and lead to complications.
Though plastic surgery may have once catered only to women, there is no denying the number of men interested in undergoing cosmetic procedures. At Tampa Bay Cosmetic Surgery Center, we are proud to offer services and assist all in their journey to their better self. For more information on men and plastic surgery or to schedule a consultation, contact Kass Center For Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery at (727)522-3223.