For decades, it’s been assumed that men were considerably less likely to have plastic surgery performed.
Those days are gone, though. Today’s men tend not only to use skincare products, they are also more likely to have some sort of plastic surgery procedure performed. In 2013, more than 1.2 million men had some sort of cosmetic procedure, either surgical or non-surgical. That’s an increase of 22 percent since 2000, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
The top three surgeries for men in 2013 were rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery and liposuction. In the non-surgical category, Botox proved to be the most popular, with nearly 400,000 injections performed on male patients. Men also opted for chemical peels and injections last year. If you’re a guy who wants to revitalize his skin, here’s a quick rundown of your options.
At-Home Care
When it comes to taking care of the skin at home to reduce the signs of aging, men do have some advantages over women. While some men do wear makeup, most don’t, so they don’t need to worry about using a cleanser that is strong enough to remove the makeup, nor do they have to worry about the makeup clogging their pores.
Men also tend to have thicker skin, which is less likely to be irritated by the ingredients found in certain skincare products. Shaving the face on a regular basis also helps exfoliate the skin and increase cell turnover, helping a man’s skin look more youthful. The downside to frequent shaving is that it can cause irritation or bumps to form.
A man who wants to start using lotion or moisturizer on his face should look for products made for males, as these are typically lighter. If a man experiences irritation before or after shaving, he may want to look for a lotion with aloe, as it will not only soothe the skin, it will also soften the facial hair, making it easier to remove.
Chemical Peels
With more than 94,000 men getting a chemical peel in 2013, the treatment was among the Top 5 non-invasive cosmetic treatments for men last year. The number of peels increased by 5 percent between 2012 and 2013. Chemical peels can come in a range of strengths, meaning a man will be able to find one that works best for him, based on the degree of aging on his face.
A light or superficial peel may be the best option for a man if he has acne or blemishes, areas of dullness on the face or some fine lines. Light peels usually contain alpha hydroxy acids, often from fruit acids. The treatment is usually very comfortable and doesn’t require any recovery time. Some men may leave the office with some redness in the face.
Injections
Men are becoming more and more comfortable with the idea of having injections performed to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles on their face. While women still outnumber men when it comes to treatments such as Botox, men are quickly catching up. Of the slightly more than 6.3 million Botox injections performed last year, a bit more than 385,000 were performed on men. The number of men who received Botox increased by 310 percent from 2000 to 2013.
One of the great benefits of Botox for male patients is that the treatment is quick and the results appear slowly. A man won’t leave the surgeon’s office looking as though he’s had something done. Instead, the results from the treatment will usually appear over the course of a few days or a week.
Surgery
One of the more popular anti-aging surgeries for men in 2013 was eyelid surgery. More than 30,000 men had the surgery performed. Eyelid surgery has a number of benefits for the right patient. As men age, it’s likely that the upper and lower eyelids will become fatter and will begin to droop.
As a result, a man can look older than his years, as well as tired. The surgery can restore a youthful appearance and give a man a more refreshed and well-rested look. Depending on the degree of droopiness, a man can have the surgery on the upper or lower lids, or on both. The surgery does require a recovery period. It often takes some time for the results to become visible, as well.
If you’re a man who’s worried about the signs of aging on your face, there are things you can do to slow down the clock. Dr. Jessica Kulak is a facial plastic surgeon in Maryland and Virginia who specializes in treating the aging face. She can help you decide on a skincare routine, minimally invasive treatment, or surgery if needed. Call (703) 481-0002 in Virginia or (301) 222-2020 in Maryland to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kulak.
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