Plastic Surgery for Men: More Common Than You Think
Women are not the only ones who want to look in the mirror and like what they see. Men are just as interested (if not more so) in the way they look. The motivating factors for men are not much different than women. Some want to look more attractive and youthful for personal fulfillment, while others desire an improved look in order to maintain a competitive edge in the workplace. Men in their 50s-60s tell me they are justifiably concerned about showing up at a client’s or board meeting looking “tired” or “worn out,” especially when they feel great.
One important myth to dispel is that the only men who are having plastic surgery are the near-perfect looking models or actors. Nothing could be further from the truth. The “typical” male plastic surgery patient is in his 40s-60s, works more than he plays, and is not in the entertainment business.
What I find to be drastically different about men and plastic surgery is that they are much more private about their decision to undergo a procedure. They discreetly seek information and advice from their internist or the internet. Their female counterparts however, will turn to their friends, hairdressers, personal trainers, etc., for advice and referrals.
While almost nobody wants to look “done,” men especially want more subtle results especially when it comes to facial enhancements such as facelifts, nose reshaping, eyelid surgery or Botox. When it comes to body procedures such as liposuction or breast reduction (gynecomastia), men and women have similar goals: they want as close to the ideal as possible.
Here is what I see as the bottom line. When it comes to personal appearance, there are certain genetic facts of life that you have no control over, such as height or eye color. However, lax skin, worry lines, disproportionately enlarged breasts, etc., are all things that can be safely altered in 2012. If you have the desire to improve things that are “changeable,” it doesn’t matter whether you are a man or a woman. Men have been quietly realizing the benefits of plastic surgery for many years. They are just not ready to talk about it at the office or the pick-up basketball game yet.
