Plastic surgery for males is a relatively new phenomenon. Historically, men have viewed this venue of services as mostly for women. My father’s generation was not working out in gyms and drinking protein shakes to stay healthy and active in middle age and beyond. Undeniably, the aging baby boomer population refuses to be defined by chronologic age and embraces the concept of wanting to look as good as you feel. With this is mind, why let women have all the resources to age gracefully and look young and vibrant? Men can now maintain a youthful appearance proportionate to our level of health and to our significant others.What services are available to men?
Skin Care: The concept may seem too metrosexual at first glance, but there is a health benefit as well. Sun exposure has a cumulative effect, which damages the outer skin, and dermis making the skin look dry and leathery. Loose, inelastic skin coupled with blotches of dark pigmentation makes the skin appear older than chronologic age would suggest. This is also a set up for skin cancers. Skin care may include skin resurfacing with peels to remove the damaged skin along with micro-needling to induce collagen production and improve skin tightening to provide a much-improved appearance and reduce the potential risks of skin cancers.
The use of Botox, which will weaken the overactive muscles between the brows and around the eyes, can prevent the deep furrows of the skin thus smoothing the appearance. This agent can be employed to hide some of the muscle bands in the neck as well.
Filler agents, such as Voluma, can be easily injected into areas of programed fat atrophy which occurs in aging and results in the cheek falling, causing accentuation of the cheek folds and may produce hanging on the jaw line. Voluma, which is a highly crosslinked stiff hyaluronic acid filler, can manage to lift the cheek without making the face look fat.
Rhinoplasty: This is the art and science of the interactions of skin, bone and cartilage of the nose to provide an aesthetically appealing appearance with normal function. Rhinoplasty is a very meticulous surgery with the goal of providing a balanced appearance between the various components of the nose as well as creating harmony with the rest of the face. This surgery can provide a real boost to someone’s appearance and self-esteem.
Gynecomastia: This is a condition in which the male breast increases in size with fibro-glandular tissue mixed with added volume of fat giving it a feminized appearance. This can occur at any age, creating self-conscious situations both with and without clothing. Fortunately, the correction is very straightforward and very predictable. We recommend the use of ultrasonic energy mixed with traditional liposuction to facilitate fat and fibro-glandular removal of tissue to sculpt the breast back to a masculine appearance. There are occasions when direct excision of tissue directly under the nipple-areolar complex is necessary in addition to the liposuction to achieve the desired results, but the scaring in minimal. Without question a very power surgery that gives wonderful results.
Lipo-Sculpturing: Unfortunately, diet and exercise can’t cure all problems with the contour of the abdomen and posterior flanks. With metabolism changes, even a meticulous healthy eater with an active lifestyle can still experience abdominal bulges and flank adiposity. For patients with good skin quality without a great deal of skin excess, liposuction can provide a means of sculpting the torso to give a more pleasing shape and enhance confidence with and without clothes. The surgery is generally not that difficult to recover from, and results can be effective.
Eyelid Rejuvenation: Do people say you look tired? Do your lids hang over your eyes giving the appearance of sleepiness? Do you have puffy lower eyelids giving you a less vibrant persona? Then you may want to consider eyelid surgery to give you a refreshed look. It’s been said that the eyes are the windows into the soul; so don’t have outdated window treatments. The surgery is mildly uncomfortable with swelling being the biggest issue related to return of feeling comfortable in social situations. Careful consultation with your surgeon is required to avoid complications depending on the anatomy of your eyelids. People will notice the refreshed look after the recovery has taken place.
In summary, plastic surgery offers men many options to consider. It’s not just for women anymore.
Article originally posted here by By Dr. Jay Lucas, MD.
