Sharp Increase in Men Going Under the Knife

More men are having cosmetic procedures, and more invasive ones, than ever before.  

While there has only been a two percent overall increase in plastic surgeries from 2009 to 2010, the number of male cosmetic procedures have increased dramatically, say statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). The number of liposuction procedures performed on men rose seven percent, and the number of male facelifts doubled, by 14 percent. Why such a relatively high increase in male procedures? 

People often consider cosmetic procedures to be just for women, says northern CA-based men’s mental health expert Will Courtenay, PhD, LCSW, and author of Dying to Be Men.
 

Just as sex roles between men and women are changing—more fathers are active parents than they used to be, he maintains—so is interest in cosmetic surgery.  “The fact is, manhood in America is changing rapidly,” Courtenay tells demo dirt. “And at least one in four men says he’d consider cosmetic surgery. And another one in five says he might. And for men, it’s often about staying in the race.”  

Economic woes and workplace pressure may be at the root of the increasing interest in cosmetic procedures.   

“Mid-life used to be a time when a guy would go out and buy a red sports car to deal with getting older,” he explains. “But in today’s economy, more men are worried about keeping the car they’ve got. And for some of these men, it’s a face lift, not a car, they think will put them on the road to getting—or keeping—a good job, which is a big concern for middle-aged men.”  

Media images of men have also contributed to negative male perception of their own bodies, Courtenay notes.   

“Over the last 25 years, men have been increasingly bombarded by images of perfect male bodies in movies and television,” he says. “This changes men’s perceptions about their bodies. And then, add to this, the pressure to compete in the workforce. The unemployed and underemployed are mostly men—aging men. And they’re competing for the same jobs with young guys who are often physically able, attractive, and well-educated.”  

Washington, DC-based facial plastic surgeon Houtan Chaboki, MD says that he has noticed an increase in men getting procedures, even though they still comprise less than ten percent of cosmetic patients.

Most common, he notes, is rhinoplasty, which people get for various reasons.

However, the fastest growing market is face lift surgery, Chaboki says.  

“More men seeking plastic surgery want to appear younger and compete in the workplace,” he says. “Some working men who actually feel full of energy have the perception that others at work may see them as older, [and] less adaptable to change in a fast-moving economy.”  

The goal may not be to satisfy one’s vanity, Chaboki adds, but instead these patients seek to convey a more marketable image in this competitive economy.

“These professional men seek plastic surgery not necessarily to improve their looks, but rather to portray a more youthful vigor, along with their maturity and experience,” he explains.

Dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD started doing Botox in 1991 and says that more and more men have been requesting the treatment, among other things.

“I find that now many years later more men are doing Botox and fillers and lasers and freezing their fat, “she says.

While men may feel more confident in the workplace or on their job hunts, Courtenay warns that cosmetic surgery can be a “double-edged scalpel” for men.

The problems emerge when cosmetic surgery can’t remedy deeper-rooted self-esteem issues.

“Cosmetic surgery can be a misguided attempt to feel better,” Courtenay maintains. “Research shows that men who are dissatisfied with their physical appearance are more likely to suffer from poor self-esteem and depression. So, for these men, cosmetic surgery may make them look better, but they won’t feel better.”

How does a man know if he is a candidate for cosmetic surgery?

Courtenay recommends plastic surgery as an option after making other considerations.

“If a man is overweight, he should definitely go to a gym before he goes under the knife,” he advises. “Cosmetic surgery is not a form of weight control.”

A potential patient should also consider whether he is generally unhappy with himself or excessively self-critical and self-doubting, before he decides on surgery.

“He’s better off seeing a mental health professional than a plastic surgeon,” in such cases.

The best surgery candidate, Courtenay says, is a man who is generally secure already.   

“If a man is comfortable with himself, and does a variety of things to take care of himself and his body, cosmetic surgery may be fine,” he concludes. “It could even give him a boost in self-confidence.”