Men Turning To Plastic Surgery In Record Numbers

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) recently released statistics on the types of plastic surgeries performed in 2010.  According to the ASPS, the number of men getting facelifts rose 14% from 2009.  Men using Botox increased 9 % with male liposuction procedures rising 7%.

Why are men turning to plastic surgery in great numbers than ever before?  There could be several reasons including the recession fueled tight job market, more attention by baby boomers towards retaining a youthful appearance and even the pressure for some men to find mates.

According to Seattle based cosmetic surgeon Phil Haeck, M.D. who is the president of ASPS, men want to look younger to win jobs or compete at work against younger looking guys.

Before the recession and tight job market men traditionally had plastic surgery if they were in careers such as modeling or similar where looking buff was important and encouraged.  Now that the economy has taken a big hit, men must compete any way they know how.  One way is having surgery.

According to Haeck men in their late 50s and 60s are seeking cosmetic surgeries such as face lifts.  Younger men in their 40s and early 50s are going the less invasive route with liposuction, Botox® and various fillers.  The recession does not seem to be impacting women's need for plastics since their goals have always been to look young but not necessarily to be more successful in their careers or to win work.

"The growth in cosmetic surgical procedures for men may be a product of our aging baby boomers who are now ready to have plastic surgery," said Haeck. "Minimally-invasive procedures such as Botox® and soft tissue fillers work to a point. However, as you age and gravity takes over, surgical procedures that lift the skin are necessary in order to show significant improvement."

In 2010, men had more than 1.1 million cosmetic procedures, a figure that includes surgeries as well as minimally invasive procedures like Botox and fillers.  Women underwent 11.5 million cosmetic procedures.

Listed below are the top male cosmetic procedures both surgical and minimally invasive:

2010 Top Five Male Cosmetic Surgical Procedures

1. Nose Reshaping (64,000)

2. Eyelid Surgery (31,000)

3. Liposuction (24,000)

4. Breast Reduction in Men (18,000)

5. Hair Transplantation (13,000)

2010 Top Five Male Cosmetic Minimally-Invasive Procedures

1. Botox (337,000)

2. Laser Hair Removal (165,000)

3. Microdermabrasion (158,000)

4. Chemical Peel (90,000)

5. Soft Tissue Fillers (78,000

Plastic surgeons say that another trend they see in male plastic surgery is the type of patient seeking their services.

"Typically people think of celebrities and high profile men undergoing cosmetic surgery," said Stephen Baker, MD, an ASPS Member Surgeon based in Washington DC. "And while that may be true, the typical male cosmetic surgery patient that I see is an average guy who wants to look as good as he feels. Most of my patients are ‘men's men,' the kind of guy you might not think would have plastic surgery."

Dr. Baker said that baby boomers who are now reaching retirement age are the new face of the male plastic surgery trend. "They want to look good. So when they have the financial means to do it, they are ready to do it now," said Dr. Baker.

In fact, one of Dr. Baker's patients is an "average Joe" named Joe Marek. Joe recently underwent a facelift and eyelid surgery. The 57-year old said, "I didn't feel that old. I felt young. I was working out. I was pretty active and I wanted to look like I felt inside."   e also said his girlfriend supported his decision to have plastic surgery.

About ASPS

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 7,000 physician members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

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