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MEN & PLASTIC SURGERY
By Theadora Kelly
The word "Cosmetic procedure" may invoke a gender stereotype for some. However, in our modern times, plastic surgery has escalated in popularity and the negative connotations associated with personal enhancement are fading fast. For example, beauty products are not just for women anymore, the use of hair gel, hairdryers and hair color have been incorporated in our society for some time. Men get manicures, they even have their own lines of products for the “beauty” needs of men through products that lack an ounce of femininity. Grooming and skincare lines for men that carry products such as face cleansers, exfoliaters, lotions, creams, facemasks and similar products, with slight differences that cater to the needs of men such as, no-frills minimalist packaging, unscented products and other attributes that define the difference between products men would use, and those that are not compatible with a male’s sexuality. Women are not the only ones who undergo procedures to enhance their appearance.
According to a recent study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, (ASPS) Liposuction and Laser Hair removal are the top cosmetic procedures according to the ASPS study. Over 2,000 men were surveyed for this study and 72 percent approved of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery. Only 10 percent of those surveyed disapproved, and the remaining 18 percent were undecided. Many said they wanted a cosmetic procedure for work related reasons, others said relationship related reasons, and personal reasons.
The best candidates for any procedure have realistic expectations and understand that a procedure can enhance self-esteem and appearance, but will not miraculously change your life, relationship or the way people relate to you. To fix those areas, looking inward and working to enhance your soul will be the key to a long, happy life,
In 2001, nearly 1 million men had a cosmetic surgery procedure.
The top procedures among men are, Body Contouring procedures to fix facial aging, Rhinoplasty, eyelifts, facelifts, changes to the chest area, and leg and thigh implants and contouring.
PECTORIAL IMPLANTS
Some men may feel self conscious about their chests and muscle structure. Body type and genetics can play an important role in the definition and contour of your muscle structure. For some men, lifting weights and exercise cannot build the definition and muscle tone desired. Individual genetic make-up may determine the full potential of muscle structure the body may achieve.
With images prevalent in the media of chiseled male perfection, many turn to plastic surgery to achieve the desired results. Some men are willing to pay up to $ 20,000 or more to get the physique that genetics and nature could not deliver. This new trend of plastic surgery procedures for men is still young, however, the pectoral implant procedures are rapidly gaining popularity.
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Common Male Procedures
From the The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery http://www.aafprs.org/index.asp
- Rhinoplasty (nose surgery) - Aesthetic surgery of the nose where cartilage and bone are reshaped and reconstructed; excess bone or cartilage may be removed. Breathing problems may be corrected in a combined aesthetic and functional procedure called "septorhinoplasty."
- Chemical Peels - Resurfacing of the skin with an acid solution that peels the top layers and allows smoother, regenerated skin to emerge; an effective treatment for wrinkles caused by sun damage. Types of peels, include:
- Light Peels (for mild sun damage) - Alpha hydroxy acid (glycolic acid), Beta hydroxy acid (lactic) and salicylic acid peels
- Medium Peels (to reverse moderate sun damage) - fine wrinkles, brown spots, poor pigmentation): TCA (Trichloroaetic acid), Jessner's solution
- Deep Peels (treatment of advanced sun damage - deep wrinkles, leathery texture): Phenol chemical peels
- Laser Resurfacing - Another method of resurfacing the skin is by means of a device called the Erbium Yag laser, which for men, is most commonly used to fight wrinkles, treat sun damage and improve scars. The resurfacing is done under local anesthesia. Most patients will take a week off from work during the recovery period.
- Hair Restoration - Hair replacement surgery frequently requires multiple grafts of hair being implanted during multiple sessions, generally spacing each session at least four months apart to allow for adequate healing. The most commonly known hair replacement surgery is called mini-or-micro-grafting, which produces natural-looking results. This requires taking a strip of hair-bearing scalp from the back of the head, and dividing the strip into several hundred smaller grafts. These grafts are then inserted into tiny slits in the scalp, and must be placed in such a way that hair all grows in the same, natural direction.
- Filler Injections - Soft-tissue fillers, most commonly injectable collagen or fat, can help fill in lines and creases, (such as laugh lines, smile lines, crow's feet or deep facial wrinkles that are often caused by aging and sun exposure). Filler injections temporarily restore a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. When injected beneath the skin, these fillers plump up creased and sunken areas of the face. They can also add fullness to the lips and cheeks.
- Collagen is also often used to eliminate or reduce scarring from acne and other conditions by filling in and smoothing over depressed acne scars. The effects of filler injections are temporary, as the substances are eventually safely absorbed into the patient's body. Typically, filler injections must be repeated once or twice a year to maintain the desired effect.
- Injectable fillers may be used alone or in conjunction with a resurfacing procedure, such as a laser treatment, or a recontouring procedure, such as a facelift.
- Collagen is also often used to eliminate or reduce scarring from acne and other conditions by filling in and smoothing over depressed acne scars. The effects of filler injections are temporary, as the substances are eventually safely absorbed into the patient's body. Typically, filler injections must be repeated once or twice a year to maintain the desired effect.
- Blepharoplasty - Surgery of the eyelids where fat and excess skin, bags, pouches, wrinkles in the eye area are removed. Blepharoplasty removes excess skin in the upper and lower lids and reduces the amount of fatty tissue under the eye. Surgery may be done on the upper or lower lids, or both, depending on the specific problem.
- Mentoplasty (chin surgery) - A procedure to help balance a profile through insertion of a small plastic implant, which augments a receding chin. Mentoplasties are often done in conjunction with nose surgeries, and may be combined with liposuction or lipectomy procedures to remove excess fat from beneath the chin.
- Skin Cancer Reconstruction -Treatments for skin cancers and precancerous lesions depend on their size, type, depth and location. Most treatments use a local anesthetic in an outpatient setting.
STATISTICS
The most popular procedures for men in 2001:
· Hair Transplantation (210,994)
· Liposuction, (675,686)
· Eyelid surgery (95,454)
Source: The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. AACS
A new study by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) stated that in a survey of Americans, 76% of those dissatisfied with their noses were men,
Plastic surgery is not just for women. The number of male plastic surgery patients is increasing steadily, and not just for males in the acting and modeling professions. The reasons for this are complex. The reasons probably reflect a less biased perception of cosmetic surgery and of an increased awareness by men dealing with health care issues. Male plastic surgery patients tend to be, Investment Bankers, Lawyers, Business Executives and Pro Football players.
Surprisingly, businessmen are the most frequent male plastic surgery patients. Many businessmen elect to have surgery to gain a competitive edge in their business relations, due to the intense competition in the business world. There is often a perception, correct or not, that an older person is less up to date and efficient. In an effort to remain young looking, many men have turned to cosmetic surgery, which may be a result of this perception. Logically enough, looking and feeling better gives you the confidence you need to succeed, no matter what your personal goals may be.
Cosmetic surgery in men uses many of the same procedures as in women. However, because of the composition of a man's body there are many technical differences. For example, the skin in men is thicker and the facial area contains hair. Therefore, some procedures are designed for the genetic makeup of men.
These include:
- Gynecomastia (large breasts),
- Penile surgery
- Hair transplantation.
Still, in most cases surgical procedures are simply a modification of the standard cosmetic operations.
*The top elective healthcare procedures for men are:
1) Liposuction
2) Eyelid surgery
3) Nose re-shaping
4) Breast reduction
5) Face-lift
6) Laser skin re-surfacing
7) Ear surgery
8) Chemical peels
Call Helen Elliott today for a complimentary & confidential consultation
toll free at, (888) 433-9091.
*Source - The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas Top elective healthcare procedures for men 6/25/2001