Cosmetic treatments for men on the rise

Cosmetic surgery is on the rise among men of all ages. Historically, the vast majority of patients were women; however, the quest for youthfulness in the workplace and beyond has seen a surge in male interest in procedures. This is fuelled by the fact that procedures are becoming less invasive, with minimal downtime and natural, long-lasting results. Men typically seek more preventative treatments to slow signs of aging and to enhance signature male features.

Key differences in male procedures

Skin

Androgen (testosterone) stimulation causes an increase in the skin's thickness, resulting in male skin being around 25% thicker and tougher than female skin. Therefore, as a result of this, men can have fewer superficial wrinkles and fewer lines around the mouth, compared to women.

Muscle mass and fat

Men tend to have more muscle mass and less subcutaneous fat than women, which leads to different injection techniques. As a result, men need 1.5 to 2 times the amount of product compared to women to treat a particular area.

Trends in male cosmetic procedures

Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia)

The most common procedure for men, Gynecomastia is a medical term for enlarged feminised breasts in men, which often occurs as a result of a variety of factors such as a hormone imbalance or weight gain. Dr Mark Lee uses a combination of ultrasonic liposuction, short scar direct excision and, if needed, skin reduction, to reduce the breast size. These procedures are popular as they augment and contour the chest.

Liposuction

Male clients typically use liposuction to augment and enhance muscle, most commonly focused on “love handles” and the abdomen. Abdominoplasty, commonly referred to as a tummy tuck, removes excess skin and underlying fat from the lower abdomen, resulting in a tightening of the waistline. This form of liposuction is hugely popular amongst men and women for its long-lasting, silhouette-changing results.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Men first notice signs of aging around their eyes with their eye bags or excess eyelid skin, making them look older. This procedure is performed on either the upper or lower lids (often both) and removes the excess skin to smooth wrinkles and make the eye area smoother and more youthful in appearance. Eyelid surgery can be one of the quickest and simplest ways to produce a very dramatic improvement in appearance, with a relatively quick recovery period.

Dermal Fillers

Fillers are ideal for replacing loss of volume in the face and for the treatment of frown lines and deep smile lines. Men like this procedure as the results can create a more youthful, but still natural, complexion.

For males, Dermal fillers are commonly used to:

• Minimise deep facial creases and superficial fine lines
• Add lift and volume to the midface
• Reduce the appearance of jowls (sagging skin)
• Add projection and definition to a weak chin or jawline
• Improve the appearance of acne scars

To learn more, book a consultation with Dr Mark Lee to discuss your individual needs. Choosing to have plastic surgery is a serious personal decision and undertaking. Please be mindful that any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.

Undergoing plastic surgery is a significant personal decision. Please remember that all surgical or invasive procedures carry risks.