Are More Men Seeking Plastic Surgery?

By Mohamed Taki - Medical Research Editor | June 30th, 2011

Most of us are convinced that the plastic surgery industry only exists to service women.

However new studies suggest that men are equally feeling the need to look younger and fitter, fueled by the American youth culture and society’s pressure to look your very best.

These days men of all ages, from all walks of life are turning to the surgical knife for aesthetic purposes.

With more men realizing that their desire to look good doesn’t include giving up their masculinity, they are now going head to head with women, and getting to the operating room first.

According to Dr. Thomas Romo III, Director of Facial Plastic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, men make up about 35 percent of his patients. Five years ago, it was about 25 percent.

"Madison Avenue created an environment for men to use cologne and skin care products," said Romo. "So why not plastic surgery?"

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) just released its 2010 statistics, identifying a 2% rise in male plastic surgery. In fact, the ASPS says men are "Fueling a Rebound in Plastic Surgery." ASPS statistics show that more men did indeed seek plastic surgery in 2010 than in 2009 -- 203,197 more, to be precise.

The significant spike in plastic surgery among men is seen more in baby boomers. Many men who reach the age of 50 start to make lifestyle changes before it is too late, like quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

Many beauty care companies started cashing on this trend too by creating beauty products marketed specifically towards men.

There are primary reasons that explain men’s drive to look young and fit. Men who are over 40 want to remain competitive in the workforce and those who happen to be divorced want to roll back the clock, play the field and live the dream of being with a younger woman.

Fortunately, men are spoilt for choice when it comes to enhancing their appearance. There is a wide variety of cosmetic procedures offered for men to help enhance the look of their skin, body and hair.

Since hair-loss problems are common in men, hair-transplant surgery has become one of the most sought-after cosmetic treatments in the US; with a 12 percent rise in the number of surgical hair restoration procedures worldwide between 2006 and 2008.

The second most popular plastic surgery treatment among men is male breast reduction, especially when dieting and exercise don’t pay off. Gynecomastia (the appearance of male breasts) is quite a common condition among men today, even among those who have a normal body weight, and surgery is a good way to fix the condition.

Some men choose to opt for a quick cosmetic fix to treat their face and skin. Popular non-invasive cosmetic procedures for men include Botox, microdermabrasion, laser hair removal and chemical peels.

This just goes to show that contrary to popular belief, men care about their looks just as much as women do. In the quest for beauty and perfection, it's fair game for anyone. With advanced medical treatments, it is now easier than ever to achieve a younger, fresher look.

To learn more about plastic surgery procedures for men, contact a plastic surgeon in your area.