Why More Men Are Getting Plastic Surgery Than Ever Before

Women still get the most surgeries, but men are starting to catch up

For many years, cosmetic surgery was thought of as something that was almost exclusively for women. Be it because of the pressure society puts on women to always look good (and young), or the belief that men just don’t “care” as much about their appearance, cosmetic procedures were synonymous with the female gender.

However, this is something that is changing pretty dramatically. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), cosmetic procedures for men have gone up by 20 percent since 2010.

It’s very possible that number will continue to rise. A recent survey of 618 men by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that 31 percent of them said they were “extremely likely” to think about a surgical or non-surgical cosmetic procedure.

Men and women aren’t so different

There’s no mystery as to why men are undergoing plastic surgery; they’re doing it for similar reasons as women. That same survey found that 44 percent of men would get a treatment to feel better about themselves.

Thirty-one percent would do it to please their significant other, and the same percentage wanted to appear less stressed and tired. A quarter of participants said they’d consider a procedure in order to stay competitive in the workplace.

Which procedures are men getting?

Liposuction

As people continue to get bigger – the weight of the average U.S. man over age 20 is rapidly approaching 200 pounds – it’s no surprise that liposuction remains one of the most popular plastic surgeries. Not only does this procedure remove fat, it can also sculpt the chest.

Breast reduction

Women are not the only ones who might require a breast reduction, and the popularity of this procedure with men has increased substantially in recent years. The ASPS says that male breast reduction surgeries went up by 36 percent from 2010 to 2016. In addition to wanting to look and feel better, a lot of men are now deciding to get a breast reduction because it’s not as taboo a subject as it once was.

Rhinoplasty

Nose jobs are another common procedure men are now getting, but not just to enhance their appearance. The treatment is often used to fix damage due to an injury or for health purposes, such as to help with sleep apnea or chronic sinus infections.

Injectables

Just like women, a large percentage of men are also concerned about lines and wrinkles on their faces. Botulinum toxin injections are becoming much more common with men. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery says that the number of men who have gotten botulinum toxin – or “Brotox” – and other similar types of injections have gone up a whopping 337 percent over the last decade.

Eyelid surgery

There are a few reasons why more men are opting for eyelid surgeries. For one thing, the procedure can address those under-the-eye bags, which helps create a fresher, more youthful face. Plus, when excess skin is eliminated on the upper eyelids, this can lead to better vision. Finally, because scarring is minimal, there is not much evidence that any sort of treatment was done.

Just as women can do anything men can do, the same is true for the reverse. If you want to improve how you look and feel, a cosmetic procedure could be a great option. For a consultation from a board-certified plastic surgeon, contact Thomassen Plastic Surgery. You can call our office at 954-771-0200 or reach out through our online form.