Is Plastic Surgery for Men?

It’s no secret that the beauty industry markets towards women. Ads for moisturizing creams show nymph-like women splashing water on their faces. Youtube hair tutorials focus on fancy braids, buns, and curls that suit women’s long hair. But these images are just the tip of the iceberg. If you look at the customers who buy beauty products–the human beings who care about their appearance–you will find that men are in no short supply.

Think about it. Men are exposed to societal pressure about their bodies just like women. Short boys, chubby boys, boys with severe acne, and boys who aren’t good at sports are likely to be teased in school. The men who appear in movies and on magazine covers have lean bodies, big muscles, and symmetrical faces. Men who match cultural body ideals have an easier time scoring dates–and perhaps even getting promotions at work. In short, men have as much reason to invest in their appearance as women do, and they can benefit from sharp clothes, beauty products, and cosmetic surgery just like women do.

Let’s take a look at the benefits of some of the most popular cosmetic surgeries among men:

Breast reduction

If there are two words that a man never wants to hear in a description of himself, they are “man boobs.” Unfortunately, for many men, the size of their breasts is beyond their control. Gynecomastia, a hormonal imbalance that causes overdevelopment of the breast tissue, affects roughly 200,000 men in the United States per year. The condition can cause significant damage to a man’s self-esteem, which is why many men who suffer from gynecomastia turn to breast reduction surgery for relief.

Botox

For men who want to fight back against the aging process, Botox is a great option. Many men feel like they’re looking at a stranger when they see their wrinkled reflection in the mirror. Botox can reduce the appearance of wrinkles to restore the familiar face of a man’s youth.

Eyelid surgery

After seeing how much Botox can boost their confidence, many men choose to go a step farther with eyelid surgery (or blepharoplasty). Eyelid surgery opens up the eyes to give a more alert, youthful look, and the results outlast Botox by years.

Facelift

We’ve saved the best anti-aging procedure for last. A facelift can wipe out multiple sources of insecurity in one go. Forehead wrinkles, heavy lines around the mouth, droopy cheeks, and a double chin can all be corrected by a facelift. The procedure takes years off of a man’s appearance.

Rhinoplasty

A straight, well-proportioned nose is often the key to facial symmetry. It’s not surprising, then, that both men and women tend to zero in on their nose when they’re looking for ways to balance their facial features. Rhinoplasty can bring beauty ideals to life–or, even more importantly, correct an unhealthy deformation like a deviated septum.

Liposuction

A 2013 Gallup poll reported that 46% of American men would like to lose weight. For many of those men, losing weight is more than just a cosmetic concern. It’s a critical health issue. While liposuction isn’t a fix for severe obesity, it can certainly make the weight loss process easier and more rewarding by getting rid of stubborn fat deposits that persist even after diet and exercise.

If you’re a man and you’re wondering if plastic surgery is for you, look at the numbers and consider the benefits. Millions of men go in for cosmetic surgery each year, and millions of men benefit from knowing that they look their best. If you have any doubts, you can always contact a plastic surgeon. They will be happy to fill you in on any procedure that interests you!