More Men Are Turning to Plastic Surgery
The plastic surgeon’s office isn’t just for women anymore. Although women still make up the majority of patients, many men are also seeking a younger look.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) says that the number of cosmetic procedures among U.S. men was up by 2 percent in 2010. The most popular surgical procedures for men are nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, liposuction, breast reduction, and hair transplantation.
Breast reduction surgery was up by 6 percent, driven mostly by men under 30.
"They are embarrassed by it," says Philip Haeck, M.D., president of the ASPS. "They are interested in not letting anyone know that they have had this operation, but they are thrilled afterward."
Facelifts among men are up 14 percent, driven by an older crowd. "These are really fit people who have paid a lot of attention to keeping their bodies in shape," Dr. Haeck says. But exercise can only do so much for aging skin, he says. "This generation has paid a lot of attention to how they look, and they don't want to grow old gracefully."
Men who have lost a job or are looking to move up in their career are also stopping to see the plastic surgeon. Dr. Haeck says men have told him: "You've got to do something to help me because I need a job and I'm afraid I'm going to lose out because people are going to think I look too old."
According to ASPS statistics, these procedures also rose in popularity over the last year: Ear surgeries were up by 11 percent, Botox injections by 9 percent, liposuction treatments by 7 percent, and eyelid surgery and dermabrasion by 4 percent each.
Cosmetic procedures usually aren’t covered by insurance -- and they can be pricey. Dr. Haeck says that a facelift costs, on average, $10,000 or more and that doctor's fees alone for breast reduction average $3,013 and $2,884 for liposuction. Physician fees and hospital charges vary across the country.
Minimally invasive procedures cost less. For example, Botox injections average about $375, Dr. Haeck says, and microdermabrasion usually is less than $200.
Among men, Botox treatment is most popular minimally invasive procedure, followed by laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, chemical peel, and soft tissue fillers.
Always talk with your health care provider to find out more information.
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The best way to keep your skin healthy is to protect it when you're outdoors. Slather on a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and wear protective clothing and a hat with a brim, advises the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Limit your time in the sun, particularly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Even with the best protection, however, your skin changes as you grow older. It becomes drier and more wrinkled. It loses its ability to stretch and becomes thinner and less plump looking. Gravity also weighs in, dragging skin downward and causing it to sag.
Dry skin that flakes and itches can be treated with a moisturizer just after a bath or shower, while your skin is still damp, says the AAD. And even sun-damaged skin can benefit from a layer of sunscreen whenever you venture outside.
Always talk with your health care provider to find out more information.
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