Gone are the days when cosmetic procedures were female-only territory. While women still make up the overwhelming majority of cosmetic surgery clients – over 90 percent – the rate at which men are having this work done has risen considerably over the last 18 years. The numbers of male clients undergoing cosmetic operations – whether surgical or nonsurgical - increased by a whopping 325 percent from 1997 to 2015, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). In 2015, over 1.2 million men underwent cosmetic procedures.
Getting rid of excess fat via liposuction was the top cosmetic surgery procedure for males and females, and is the only surgical procedure included in the top 10 of all cosmetic procedures, according to the ASAPS.
While rhinoplasty - cosmetic surgery procedures on the nose – decreased in women in 2015, it increased in men. It was the second most commonly performed cosmetic surgery in males. However, rhinoplasty is also used to correct deviated septums and other nasal breathing impairments, so it’s not clear how many procedures were done for strictly cosmetic purposes as opposed to health reasons, or a combination of the two.
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, was the third most common cosmetic procedure for males last year, and the fifth most common for females. It’s the most frequent cosmetic surgical procedure for those aged 65 and up. If the loose eyelid skin interferes with vision, insurance may cover the surgery costs.
Male breast reduction for treatment of the condition known as gynecomastia rose 26 percent in 2015 over 2014 numbers. Gynecosmastia results from imbalances of male and female hormones. Certain medications can cause male breast enlargement. In some cases, insurance may pay for male breast reduction, if the condition is painful rather than merely cosmetic. One in four men between the ages of 50 and 80 suffer from gynecomastia, according to the renowned Mayo Clinic.
Facelifts were the fifth most common male plastic surgery in 2015. They didn’t rank in the top five for females. Although more men are undergoing the knife to look youthful, far more rely on Botox, hyaluronic acid and other injectable treatments than on actual surgery.
With society’s ever-increasing emphasis on youth for both genders, it’s a good bet that the number of men opting for cosmetic surgery will increase in coming decades.
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about healthy skin, please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!
Dr. Mark Schusterman and Dr. Sanaz Harirchian
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