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Physical imperfections that men notice can include hairlines that are receding, love handles that don’t seem to go away even with a good diet and exercise, wrinkles and fine lines, and more. It happens-either because it’s a physical imperfection someone was born with or it is something that occurs naturally with age, it’s why I wrote this post about Plastic Surgery for Men.
Although some people decide to embrace their imperfections, there is nothing wrong with having them fixed through cosmetic surgery.
Cosmetic surgery is more accessible and affordable than ever before; and for that reason, more and more men are turning to cosmetic surgery to address those physical imperfections that they want removed.
Altering physical imperfections can help men feel more confident and secure in their appearance, which in turn helps them feel better overall.
Yes, Plastic Surgery for Men has become normal
It is estimated that men account for about 10% of all cosmetic surgery procedures and non surgery cosmetic procedures too, but this number is steadily rising as more men embrace the idea of undergoing optional cosmetic surgery to address the problems they have with their appearance.
Although this number is rising, it should be noted that the nature of cosmetic surgery in the last 2 decades has changed somewhat.
In the past, more radical and overreaching procedures were the norm–completely new noses, for instance, along with all-over liposuction. Today, however, cosmetic surgery tends to be more minor; surgeries which “tweak” our appearance by altering imperfections to be less noticeable are more common than surgeries which require completely rebuilding someone’s body parts.
The increase in cosmetic surgery for men is likely the result of an increasing amount of focus for both men and women in regard to looking good for their age, or looking good in general.
There is now less of a stigma regarding cosmetic surgery; whereas in the past people were hesitant to admit to surgeries, they are less taboo nowadays which has led to more men taking advantage of these procedures to address what they want improved about their looks.
If you are a man who is considering cosmetic surgery in the future, you should know that you are not alone; you should also be well informed about the common cosmetic procedure types that you may encounter when you are searching for surgery for your own body.
The following is an informational guide that will help you understand the basics about the most common types of cosmetic surgery for men, including how the procedure works and how people get them.
What You Need to Know About Plastic Surgery for Men
Before we get into the details about each procedure, there are a few things that need to be addressed.
It’s important to note that any surgery you receive, whether it’s a minor cosmetic procedure or something more invasive, comes with some risk.
It’s important to understand those risks before you consent to a procedure; understanding the risks not only involves doing research on the procedure but taking the time to consult with a surgeon about your particular case. The more prepared you are for the risks, the better.
When looking for someone to do your procedure, you will want to ask a few key questions. Make sure to ask them about their revision rates, in case you need additional work after the original procedure due to not being satisfied with the end results; as well as about how much experience they have doing specific types of cosmetic surgeries and procedures. The more experience, the better, especially if they can show you previous work they have done.
Another issue to consider is the dangers associated with having procedures done by unlicensed professionals. It is becoming unfortunately common for men to seek out procedures like Botox or hair transplants in clinics where there is very little or no regulation–only have work done by a licensed professional. The risks associated with having procedures done by unlicensed professionals are high and can even be deadly.
With that out of the way, let’s take a closer look at the most popular cosmetic procedures for men.
A Guide to the Most Popular Plastic Surgery Procedures for Men
The following are the most common plastic or cosmetic procedures for men :
Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)
Rhinoplasty is better known under the casual name “nose job“. Rhinoplasty involves altering the appearance of someone’s nose through surgical means. Rhino plastic can be minor or major, depending on the work being done and the original state of the patient’s nose. Rhinoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic procedures in the world for both men and women.
Why do people get rhinoplasty? In short, many people are unhappy with the shape and size of their nose. The shape and size of a man’s nose can drastically change their appearance for the better or worse.
Some men also want rhinoplasty if the shape of their nose has been altered due to an injury or accident that causes their nose to be broken or otherwise injured severely enough to change its appearance.
How It Works
Rhinoplasty is an operation that requires an incise to be made on the inside of the nostrils. From there, the cosmetic surgeon has access to the bone and cartilage underneath; they can remove or reshape the bone and cartilge and even add tissue in order to change the overall shape, size and scope of the patient’s nose.
A rhinoplasty procedure typically takes about 2 hours and requires the patient to be sedated with a local anesthetic. At least one overnight stay is common.
Recovery from rhinoplasty can take some time. Most patients have noticeable bruising for about 10 days, and there is a significant healing time. It takes around one year for the nose to look its best after the procedure, particularly for rhinoplasty that involves lots of alteration.
Hair Transplants, most common plastic surgery for men
Hair transplants are one of the most common cosmetic procedures for men. Many men are unhappy with their hair, whether they have a receding hairline or they are experiencing hair thinning and general hair loss.
Why do men get hair transplants? Hair loss is one of the most common appearance related issues reported by men. A hair transplant will help men feel more confident about their hair by restoring most of their hair’s thickness, look and feel.
How it Works
Hair transplants can vary depending on the procedure being done. The most common type of hair transplant is called a Follicular Unit Extraction, which is much less invasive than prior methods for hair transplant procedures.
For Follicular Unit Extraction, the surgeon will remove hairs from the patient’s body–such as the back of their head or even their chest–and implant it onto the scalp where hairs used to grow. This procedure requires the patient to be sedated using local anesthetic. Hair transplants take a long time, typically about 8 hours, due to the time it takes to harvest and implant the hair follicles.
Some men may require follow up hair transplant procedures depending on whether or not they continue to experience problems with hair loss and thinning hair. Men who are predisposed to baldness may need procedures as often as every 2 years, though this will vary on a case by case basis.
Beard Transplant
A beard transplant is a type of hair transplant procedure which specifically targets facial hair.
Why do men get beard transplants? Many men are unsatisfied with the look of their beard or other facial hair, especially since there is an expectation for men with facial hair to have a certain thickness to their beards.
Men who are unhappy with how their beard and facial hair grows may seek out beard transplants to improve their appearance. Beard transplants are coming more and more common in recent years, with as much as a 72% rise in beard transplant inquires.
How It Works
Beard transplants work the same way as scalp hair transplants. Hair is harvested from either the body or the back of the scalp and then implanted in the beard area. The amount of hair needed will vary on a case by case basis.
For instance, a full beard would require 4,000 hairs to be transplanted; whereas a goatee would need 1,500 hairs to be transplanted. Beard transplants can take between 3 and 9 hours depending on the complexity of the procedure. It can take a few months for the results of a beard transplant to look their best.
Liposuction
Liposuction is one of the most common cosmetic procedures for both men and women. Liposuction involves removing fat from specific areas of the body using a surgical procedure.
Why do men get liposuction? Many men find that they are unhappy with the appearance of fat on their bodies, especially fat that simply won’t go away even with a good diet and lots of exercise. Many men want liposuction on certain areas of the body so that they can meet certain appearance standards, such as having a contoured stomach or 6 pack. This Plastic Surgery for Men has some risks.
How It Works
Liposuction involves a surgical procedure wherein a surgeon will make an incision into the body and use a special surgical tube to suck the fat out from a certain targeted areas. In some cases, a surgeon may use a less invasive method which involves using an ultrasound wave to break up the fat first and then removing it with a small tube.
If you are considering liposuction, consult with a surgeon about the best options for you. It can take several weeks to fully recover after a liposuction procedure; less invasive types of liposuction may have a shorter recovery time.
Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, is a surgery which is designed to remove the appearance of drooping eyelids. Blepharoplasty has become more common in recent years; it is most common with older men who are experiencing drooping eyelids due to aging, though younger men with naturally drooping eyelids can also get the procedure.
Why do men get Blepharoplasty? Eyes are one of the most important parts of a man’s appearance, and many men do not like the appearance that drooping eyelids cause. Drooping eyelids can cause men to look older, tired, or even sick. Removing the look of drooping eyelids can take years off a man’s appearance.
How It Works
Blepharoplasty involves a surgeon first making small incisions into the folds of the eyelids. From there, excess skin and fatty tissue is removed, as these are what cause the appearance of hooded or drooping eyelids. This procedure takes 1 to 3 hours, depending on what is being done and how much needs to be removed. It will take about a week to recovery from a Blepharoplasty procedure.
Otoplasty (Ear Pinning)
Otoplasty is a surgical procedure which involves altering the appearance of a person’s ears by resculpting their ear cartilage. Otoplasty is becoming more common, especially as new surgical techniques make the procedure more accessible to patients.
Why do men get Otoplasty? It is not uncommon for men to feel self-conscious about the appearance of their ears, especially if they feel their ears stick out too much or are too large. Some men may also seek out Otoplasty if the appearance of their ears was altered due to an injury or accident.
How It Works
Otoplasty involves a surgeon first making an incision into the back of the ear, typically in an area where it would be nearly impossible to see the resulting scar.
The incision will expose cartilage, which the surgeon then reshapes or removes in order to change the appearance of the ear. Cartilage can change over time, so this procedure may require tweaks or touch ups a few years down the line. It takes about one week to recover from Otoplasty, during which time you must wear a head bandage.
Botox
Botox is another highly common procedure that is becoming more common with men, as cosmetic procedures for men become more common as a whole. Botox uses a toxin to paralyze muscles in your face which cause frown lines, crow’s feet and similar wrinkles.
Why do men get Botox? Botox can be used for a variety of imperfections, such as wrinkles. Men, like women, want to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in order to appear younger and more attractive.
How It Works
Botox works through one or more injections of Botox into a specific muscle. The muscle will then become paralyzed, which means it can’t contract and cause lines and wrinkles.
Botox only takes a few minutes to complete and doesn’t require anesthesia. It takes about 3 to 7 days to experience the full effects of the Botox and some patients may experience bruising or a headache for 1-2 days after the procedure. Botox last between 4 to 6 months so it does require follow-ups.
Excessive Sweating Treatment
Excessive sweating treatment is a type of Botox procedure which instead of targeting wrinkles and fine lines, targets excessive sweating. This procedure blocks sweat glands to prevent them from overproducing sweat.
Why do men get excessive sweating treatment? Men who find that deodorant or clothing choices cannot stop their body from producing excessive seat may feel frustrating and embarrassed, due to the appearance of sweat on their clothing and the smell associated with constant sweating.
Men who get this treatment do so in order to improve their self-confidence by reducing excessive sweating. Some guys shave their armpits to reduce sweating.
How It Works
Excessive sweating treatment works through an injection of Botulinum which is specifically injected into the body’s sweat glands. The sweat glands are found in the armpits, hands, and feet, as well as the back and forehead.
The number of glands injected will vary from patient to patient. Most patients receive 20 injections. The procedure takes 30 to 40 minutes and the results last for several months before they need to be repeated.
Scrotoplasty
Scrotoplasty involves surgically altering the appearance of the genitals. Scrotoplasty typically involves lifting the scrotum in order to improve its appearance and remove excess skin.
Why do men get Scrotoplasty? Some men are dissatisfied with the appearance of their scrotal area, especially if they have excess or baggy skin in the area. This procedure can help men feel more confident about their appearance.
How It Works
Scrotoplasty involves a surgeon first slicing away excess skin from the scrotal area and then rejoining the muscle at the seam of the scrotrum area, which reduces the chances for scarring. Scrotoplasty requires the patient to be sedated under local anesthesia and takes about 90 minutes to complete.
Gynaecomastia Surgery (Male Breast Reduction)
Gynaecomastia Surgery, or a male breast reduction, is a surgical removal of breast tissue from men. This surgery is typically done on men who have gynecomastia, or a condition which causes excess breast tissue to grow in the chest of men.
Why do men get Gynaecomastia Surgery? Men who are concerned about the appearance of excess breast tissue in their chest often struggle with body issues, as breast tissue is counterintuitive to the look that most men want in their appearance. This procedure will help them gain self-confident and feel better about their looks.
How this Plastic Surgery for Men Works
Gynaecomastia Surgery starts with a surgeon making an incision into the area around the nipple and from there, removing the excess fatty breast tissue. This may be done with tools or with liposuction tools, depending on how much tissue is present. This surgery can take 90 minutes to a few hours depending on the amount of work that needs to be done. Patients need a full week of recovery and they cannot lift anything heavy for a month.
