Loving That Face In the Mirror: Men Embrace Aesthetic Surgery
More and more, men are turning to plastic surgery and non-invasive cosmetic
procedures to enhance their appearance, to bolster their self-esteem and
increase their viability in job searches. According to the American
Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, there were over 750,000 cosmetic
procedures performed on men in the U.S. last year alone, representing around 8%
of all procedures.
Why are men seeking out these procedures? According to Dr. Laurence T.
Glickman of the Long Island Plastic Surgical
Group, “It’s really for them to feel better about themselves and look as
good as they feel. Lots of male patients are physically very fit, they’re going
to the gym, they’re eating better diets, they’re staying out of the sun and yet
they don’t look like they feel.”
One of the LIPSG’s patients, David (last name withheld by request), lost 180
pounds but was left with folds of skin around his abdomen. After having these
removed, he said, “One would never know that I had a weight situation. It
significantly changed my life.” He also said, “If you show people that you have
what it takes to not only improve your skills but your appearance as well I
think that you’re consciously or unconsciously perceived as a better [job]
candidate.”
What kinds of operations are men undergoing? According to the ASAPS, the top
five were:
- Lipoplasty, (fat removal) 37,183— Ave. cost $2,914 to $3,122
- Rhinoplasty, (nose) 30,099– $4,314
- Blepharoplasty (eyelid) 20,675 — $2,912
- Gynecomastia (breast reduction) 18,256 –$3,377
- Otoplasty (ears) 10,949 –$3,048
Men are also seeking out minimally-invasive procedures. The top five:
- Botox, 225,235 — $398
- Laser hair removal, 118,888 — $314
- Hyaluronic Acid, 69,788 — $558
- Laser skin resurfacing, 44,430 — $2,232 ablative, $952 non-ablative
- IPL Laser treatment, 35,935 — $384
Who are these males seeking cosmetic procedures? The ages break down this
way:
- 18 and under: 2.1%
- 19-34: 29%
- 35-50: 41.1%
- 51-64: 22.7%
- 65+: 5.2%
81% are white.
Glickman expects to see more men coming in for treatment, for several
reasons. “Aesthetic and cosmetic surgery and non-invasive procedures have become
mainstream, no long a procedure for the wealthy; the fees and pricing structure
for these procedures have not increased dramatically in the past two years; and
financing is available for these procedures.” (Yes, you can finance that
otoplasty and pay it off over time.)
He also points out that “Cosmetics is no longer something that is secretive.
Patients are coming to a more positive point of view,” an opinion backed by the
ASAPS, which found that 49% of men and 53% of women surveyed approved of
cosmetic surgery.
It’s not news that attractive people fare better in the world; the beauty
premium is a hard advantage to overcome if you weren’t born Clooney-esque.
In today’s highly competitive job market, it’s easy to understand why a guy
might visit the plastic surgeon, just to even the odds a little.
Tom Barlow,
Contributor to Forbes: read more here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/tombarlow/2011/10/27/loving-that-face-in-the-mirror-men-embrace-aesthetic-surgery/
