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May 10, 2011 - My Opinion

An ever-growing group of middle-aged men are going under the knife to hold back the relentless march of time. They’re also getting Botox injections and volumizing facial fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm in the pursuit of a more youthful look. With the encouragement of wives and girlfriends, spurred on by the pressure of competing in a tough job market and simply the desire to look as good as they feel, more men are agreeing with the idea that a little cosmetic help can go a long way.

According to the AAFPRS (American Academy of Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery), the most common procedures for men in 2010 were Botox injections, hyaluronic acid injections (facial filler), rhinoplasty and hair transplants. Botox treatments alone have increased for men by over 250% since the year 2000 (ASPS stats).

There is also a documented surge in the percentage of men coming in for age reversal surgeries such as facelifts and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). The increase is being fuelled by the fact that plastic surgery is becoming more acceptable for men and that more men are willing to spend their hard-earned cash post-recession.

The reasons for men choosing to step into a cosmetic surgeon's office are varied. For the baby boomer generation, looking good has always been important. In fact, it's the baby boomers who are now reaching retirement age who are the new face of the male plastic surgery trend. They have the financial means to do it, they are ready to do it and they want to look good.
Many just want to maintain an appearance that is natural, yet make the subtle changes that will make them look more alert and energized. Some men are finding that their workout at the gym is simply not providing the benefits it once did and that the fight against gravity is a losing battle. Others are motivated by an ever-changing work force and a desire to have an increased edge in an interview or business deal, seeing cosmetic procedures as an investment in both their career and future.

Whatever the motivation may be that is prompting more men to take the step towards cosmetic surgery, the most important thing is finding a qualified cosmetic surgeon who is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC).

In my own practice, approx. 35% of my cosmetic patients are male. Inevitably, I start almost all my male patients on a comprehensive skin care regime as a basic starting point. Men are notoriously poor at looking after their skin. From there, one can start with the non-invasive injectable procedures which easily be done over a lunch break (Botox, Restylane etc.). Finally, if the male patient is a good candidate, cosmetic surgery options would be explored.

There is no question that how you look does affect the way you feel. No matter what your age, simply doing the right thing at the right time will always make the most natural impact!