Growing Trends in Plastic Surgery for Men

At the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Nichter are seeing a growing trend in the number of men seeking plastic surgery. Compared to other regions, Southern California is definitely very image driven. With the entertainment industry, beaches, endless outdoor activities, nightlife, etc., people are motivated to be fit and maintain a youthful vibrant appearance. Women have been getting “work” done for decades, however there has been a very slow cultural shift in the acceptance of men having cosmetic treatments. Over the past couple of years Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Nichter have consulted with more men than every before in their 25+ years of practicing. So what procedures are men having? Here is a list of top plastic procedures for men at the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery.

Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery’s Top Plastic Surgery Procedures for Men:

• Eyelid Rejuvenation

A man’s eyes are typically one of the first areas to really show signs of aging. Symptoms may include brows that hang over the upper eyelids, pronounced fat pads in the lower eye area, loose excess skin on the upper lids, or hollowing of the upper/lower eyelids creating a drawn out almost skeletal appearance (frequently seen with avid runners). By the time a man comes in for a plastic surgery consultation, he is frustrated with continually being asked by friends, family or work colleagues asking if he is tired or worn out. Fortunately, with modern advances in plastic surgery most of the eyelid procedures can be done in-office under local anesthesia, unless they are being combined with multiple procedures, which may then require surgery to be performed under general anesthesia at an outpatient facility.

 

Eyelid Procedures: Brow/Temple Lift, Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), Skin Pinch.

• Neck Lift

Another area that can show early signs of aging in men is the neck. Fullness below the chin along with loose skin can cause what is frequently referred to as the “turkey neck.” Most men do not easily come to terms with having a turkey neck, and will initiate the pursuit of plastic surgery more quickly to remedy this situation compared to other cosmetic issues. Not only is it hard to adjust to the appearance of a turkey neck, but wearing ties and dress shirts becomes difficult and uncomfortable. Men also complain that they look heavier as a result of the neck fullness despite not gaining weight. Hanging skin and excess fat can also create the illusion a man is older than he really is, which is never easy to except.

A neck lift is performed to restore a youthful refreshed appearance and to create a strong neckline. The techniques used depend on what issues are present. A typical neck lift requires skin and muscle tightening with liposuction. The surgery is very predictable and can often be performed in-office under local anesthesia if desired and recommended. Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Nichter are experts in the area of face/neck rejuvenation having been at the forefront of developing new techniques to reduce the incisions needed, decrease recovery time, and ensure a natural result that doesn’t show signs of a “surgical” appearance.

 

• Rhinoplasty & Chin Augmentation

Nose surgery is requested by men of all ages, however the primary age demographic at Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery is 18-45 years of age. Unlike women, a strong male nose is widely accepted and not usually ridiculed, however a large dorsal hump, crooked nose, or nostril flare can cause obvious facial imbalances which are a constant reminder every time a man looks in the mirror. These issues, along with breathing problems, are some reasons why men seek out rhinoplasty. Nose surgery requires finesse, a deep understanding of the anatomy of the nose, and a vast amount of male rhinoplasty experience. Men, and people of certain descent, have thicker skin, which makes rhinoplasty just that more complicated. The key is to improve the shape without feminizing the nose.

Proportion is everything when it comes to ones facial features. If a man has a weak chin, rhinoplasty alone may not provide the best result. A recessed chin creates a less masculine appearance, and while a nose job will improve facial balance, adding a chin implant will further improve the overall result and create the masculine appearance men want.

 

• Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction)

Male breast reduction surgery across the country is seeing a rise year after year. If fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported a 5% increase from 2014 to 2015 (U.S. only). And, it comes as no surprise to Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Nichter that they are seeing an increase in the number of men coming to them requesting gynecomastia surgery. They attribute this upswing to the awareness of the condition sweeping the Internet. For decades gynecomastia was almost like a dirty little secret men had to keep to themselves. There was little information on-line about the condition, nobody really talked about it, and very few doctors were even performing gynecomastia surgery. And, let’s face it, men don’t exactly want to go running around town talking about their man boobs. It’s an overwhelmingly embarrassing condition that is very difficult for men to open up about. With the more recent increase of information on the Internet and more surgeons performing male breast reduction, men are beginning to feel more at ease opening up about their condition and pursuing surgical treatment to get rid of it.

Gynecomastia is the growth of breast tissue in males, caused by an imbalance of hormones. It is a benign condition. The National Institute of Health reports that more than half of teenage boys have some degree of gynecomastia during their puberty years. Most teenage gynecomastia will go away on its own within a couple of years, however, if it persists, surgery is the only proven method for permanent correction. Adult onset gynecomastia can occur due to steroids or use of other medications, hormonal changes during the aging process, and sometimes gynecomastia becomes noticeable with weight gain or loss.

 

---

As plastic surgery continues to evolve, along with our population continuing to live longer and work longer, society will begin to accept cosmetic enhancement as mainstream, rather than taboo. As a result, Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Nichter expect to see a consistent rise in the number of men seeking cosmetic surgery.