Beauty Doc Blog

Men are having plastic surgery in record numbers. In fact, while women still outnumber men in procedures performed, more men than ever are considering and opting for plastic surgery, and last year accounted for 13 percent of all plastic surgery procedures in the US according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Those numbers are up from 11.7 percent of all procedures in 2002 and less than 10 percent in 1998.

Most of the men having the procedures are baby boomers, in their 40s or 50s who are becoming more health conscious as they get older. Along with improving diet and seeking regular exercise many men are now choosing to improve their appearance and take away the appearance of aging as they start to feel better about themselves. America has a youth oriented culture, and a larger segment of men these days are comfortable admitting that they care about how they look. The metrosexual trend in many cities and the popularity of television shows like “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” have made the idea of cosmetic surgery for men much more mainstream. The stigma once associated with men having plastic surgery has faded, according to many doctors and many patients. Many men consider an investment in their personal appearance to be at least as important as the high tech gadgets, hot cars and flashy jewelry and bling that once dominated. Even the more traditional reasons for appearance improvement, attraction to the opposite sex, play a role. If a 45 or 50 year old man is recently divorced and wanting to expand the pool of available women to date he may consider women in their 20s or 30s, and consider plastic surgery in order to look more youthful.

Madison Avenue advertising has also contributed to the popularity. Men use skin care products and colognes, so plastic surgery is seen by many as a logical next step. While women tend to spend more on their appearance when they are younger, men seem to be the opposite.  Women tend to make their first visit to the plastic surgeon in their late 30s or perhaps their early 40s. Men however tend to go first in their mid to late 40s.

Liposuction is probably the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure for both men and women. Men want to get rid of love handles and improve sagging abdomens as opposed the reduction of flabby thighs and hips for women. And for many men it is simply a dislike of the prospect of growing old, and the fact that they are now financially secure and able to easily afford the procedures.