The Global Trends of Cosmetic Surgery for Men
In the 21st Century, it is the era of perfection. Every person, be it a man or woman strives to achieve that perfect body and to remain in shape. However, ageing is inevitable and with growing levels of pollution, pollutants and chemicals accelerate the process of senescence. However, with the advent of popular cosmetic surgeries being available on a large scale, with a high degree of accessibility and affordability, plastic surgeries in men are gaining wide approval. (Read: Cosmetic Vs Plastic Surgery-What is the difference!
Cosmetic Surgery for Men focuses on improving the appearance or looks of a person, in absence of a medical condition which would warrant a surgery.
The main aim is to make the client appear more aesthetically appealing, enhancing symmetry and proportions.
These procedures are not medically indicated. These procedures are always elective, meaning, it depends upon the client who wants it to be done.
Cosmetic surgery in men offers a radical approach to have those perceived flaws corrected. Cosmetic surgeons ensure that men can get that exact jawline or cheek prominences and a flat torso. Besides, they can drastically improve self-worth and improve confidence among men.
The proportion of men willing to go under the knife is steadily increasing. They account for anywhere between 20-30% of cosmetic procedures carried out today.
Majority of them include minor enhancements rather than radical surgeries, thus enhancing, as to say, the overall appearance.
These procedures show a special predilection for certain ages. The younger men usually opt for rhinoplasty, hair removal and breast reduction surgeries. The older men are more inclined towards liposuction, hair transplant and facial-contouring procedures.
While younger men want to appear more acceptable in the hyper-competitive workplace, older men do not want to be left behind as well. However, unrealistic expectations should not be kept, especially in persons suffering from Body dysmorphic syndromes. All the pros and cons, alternatives available and cost estimates should be kept in mind before undertaking such a procedure.
Cosmetic Surgery for Men
What to Know First:
This article enlists the most popular surgeries, their procedures in lay parlance and the approximate costs by which it would set you back. It is always better to do one’s research as to the procedure involved, the possible complications, the consultant surgeon and his experience along with the estimates of a re-operation in case one is not satisfied.
Cosmetic Surgery for Men/Plastic Surgery for Men: Popular Procedures
Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)
Rhinoplasty, colloquially referred to as nose job, is one of the most common aesthetic surgeries globally.
In this surgery, there is reshaping and refinement of the person’s natural shape of nose to be aesthetically appealing. They include reducing size of the nose to more closely fit a patient’s facial proportions, correcting a crooked nose, augmentation rhinoplasty (to correct a depressed nasal bridge), reduction rhinoplasty (to correct a bulbous nasal bridge deformity), nose tip surgeries, etc.
Check the list of Accredited Surgery Hospitals from India
Why?
Some men are unhappy with the big nose they have, while others do the procedure to correct a nose broken in an accident, or as a result of a sports injury. Many men wish to have noses resembling actors. However, rhinoplasty cannot give one someone else’s nose.
How?
Depending upon the extent of nasal reshaping, it is broadly an Open Rhinoplasty or a Closed Rhinoplasty. Another variant is the tip-plasty. Scars are not visible following rhinoplasty since they are well hidden in the contours of the nose.
In Open Rhinoplasty, the incision is made between the nostrils. This allows the surgeon a wider access. Hence, this procedure is suited for those who require extensive reshaping and remodelling of the nose.
In contrast, Closed Rhinoplasty involves an incision inside the nostrils, and is used for correcting minor defects. This is achieved by adding or removing or remodelling the cartilage and suturing the skin back.
In Tip-plasty, as the same suggests, a tip deformity, e.g., a depressed nasal tip may be corrected by an open or closed technique.
Rhinoplasty operations usually take around two to three hours. They are performed under a local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia. A splint is placed over the nose post the surgery to prevent accidental damage. Nasal packing may also be inserted to maintain the nasal shape.
Nasal swelling and bruising maybe present for up to 1-2 weeks after the procedure. By the end of the 3rd week, the person can resume his activities. However, it may take up to a year, for the full effects of the procedure to be visible and appreciable.
Hair Transplant:
Hair transplantation involves the transfer of hair from a site which has them in abundance (donor site) to a side with no hair or sparse hair.
It is widely gaining traction and is being preferred over drugs like minoxidil for the treatment of alopecia (hair loss) and male pattern baldness.
Why?
As mentioned earlier, male pattern baldness requires hair transplant by some people. It boosts self-esteem and the person has a fuller head.
How?
The most commonly employed techinique today is the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction). It is much less invasive compared to earlier procedures. It involves removing individual hairs from the back or side of the head or chest hair) and implanting them on those regions of the scalp where once hair grew.
The procedure is intensive and takes about 7-9 hours on an average. It is invariably carried out under local anaesthesia. There are no stitches or obvious scars and the technique is minimally invasive.
However, it is not a full-proof procedure. In patients who are pre-disposed to baldness, a repeat procedure has to be carried out. It has to be repeated after a 2-3 years in order to maintain it.
The cost is proportional to the number of hairs lost. So, the sooner, the better it is for the patient to have a hair-transplant. Moreover, if the hair distribution is critically low, there may not be ready sites available for hair harvesting for the transplant.
Beard Transplant
Having facial hair and that perfect beard along the jawline is in vogue. According to surgeons there has been a 72% rise in enquiries for beard transplant in 2014 and the trend has kept on increasing.
Why?
Many men have this peculiar problem of a patchy beard. Worse, some have only a few strands of wriggly hair which well, makes them feel awkward or less-manly, if one were to say.
Others, simply want a bushier, thicker beard, while donning the look of famous actors worldwide.
How?
Just like scalp-hair transplant, the technique currently in trend is the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction). The donor sites maybe the scalp hair on back of the head or body hair and they are planted at sites where they are needed the most.
While it is certainly expensive, compared to many other cosmetic surgeries, it is time consuming as well. Depending upon the pattern of beard which one desires (a full beard/ goatee/ or a French cut), the time required varies from 4 to 9 hours. The results require several months to set in, but once done, they look great.
Know more about Cosmetic Surgeons in India.
Liposuction
Colloquially, liposuction surgery helps men get the flat torso or the perfect beach body which one desires. It removes the extraneous wobbly fat which occupies the barrier between the skin and the rectus abdominis (the six-pack muscle).
There are many variants which are tailored to individual requirements, from shedding excessive fa in morbidly obese patients to sculpting a ripped abdomen.
The pre-requisites include a good Body Mass Index and good skin elasticity. In case of poor skin tone, mere liposuction does not offer benefits. Excess fat near hips, chin, belly, which does not respond to exercise are ideal places to be benefited from a liposuction surgery.
Why?
Men undergo liposuction to have a variety of body goals. Some patients want to look better in a swimsuit, while others want to find jeans that fit more comfortably. Fat removal techniques like Liposelection and Cool-sculpting offer a fast and effective solution to the excessive fat around hips and waist.
How?
Liposuction is an outpatient procedure, where in fat is sucked out using a body tube. It can be safely performed using local anaesthesia, intravenous sedation, or local anaesthesia, depending on the nature of the procedure. In the traditional procedure, a small incision is made under the skin and the fat is suctioned out. It is not a weight-reduction procedure however.
It takes about 3 hours or more depending upon the extent of the surgery. The various techniques of loosening up the fat involve the following:
Tumescent Liposuction: An anaesthetic solution is injected into the treatment area to minimize bleeding and discomfort.
Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction: Ultrasound energy breaks up the fat lobules, allowing for removal of large amount of fat in a short time.
this technique utilizes ultrasound energy to help break up the fatty tissue and loosen it from the body, allowing for easier removal of larger amounts of fat with a faster surgery. It includes VASER Liposelection. Small pockets of fats can be removed from the neck, chin and waist as well.
Laser Assisted Liposuction: Laser energy is used to liquify the fat cells selectively. The techniques include SmartLipo and SlimLipo.
Suction Assisted Liposuction: A vacuum like device helps to remove the fat. Power assisted liposuction is another variant which enhances the cannula movements.
These surgical procedures ensure that there is minimal bruising and the skin retracts perfectly over the muscles.
Coolsculpting: Commonly called as fat freezing, the fat cells are freezed after which they die and are removed by the body. This is a non-surgical procedure and does not require an incision to be made.
Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
Eyelids have the thinnest skin present anywhere in the body. Naturally, signs of ageing appear here first, compared to other body parts. Sagging or drooping eyelids may give an appearance of feeling tired, angry or upset even when the person is not so. Lower eyelid surgeries may also help in removing the puffiness, which is commonly called baggy eyes.
Why?
Cosmetic eyelid surgery for men works to restore a more open, refreshed, and naturally youthful appearance to aging eyes. They act as curtain raisers, to the windows of the eye.
How?
Small incisions are made in the natural folds of the eyelids to remove excess skin and fatty tissue that cause hooded eyes or eye bags. The procedure can also be used to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet.
The time required for operating it is about 3 hours and it takes a week’s time for the swelling to subside and see the full effects.
It is often combined with a face lift or a brow lift in case of loose saggy skin over the face. Moreover, lower eyelid surgeries are also being preferred for the treatment of dark spots or baggy eyes.
Botox (‘Brotox’)
Botox was introduced primarily for improving the frown lines as a cosmetic. Botox is a synthetically manufactured botulinum toxin. It blocks signal transmission from the nerves to the muscles. This leads to relaxation of the muscles and the removal of wrinkles of the face, or those resulting from frowning or squinting (abnormal movements of eye, leading to crossed eyes)
Why?
It is generally used by older men who want to look young. It helps them do away with age-related facial wrinkles giving the skin a tauter appearance.
How?
The neuromuscular nerve transmission is blocked which helps to relax the muscles.
It has become widely acceptable among men and the rates have increased from 1% a few years back to around % today.
The injection requires no anaesthetic and hence no admissions. It just takes a few minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis. Teporary bruising and headaches can occur in the initial days. However, it is just a temporary measure. It needs to be repeated bi-annually to maintain that supposedly flawless skin.
Botulinum Toxin (Excessive Sweating Treatment)
Hyperhidrosis refers to excessive sweating. The most common sites include palms, soles, axilla and groin. Besides giving sweaty hands, they also lead to foul odour from one’s armpits making one uncomfortable.
Why?
Despite lifestyle changes such as using leather shoes or using aluminium chloride-based deodorants, in some men, hyperhidrosis or excessive sweat persists. In such situations, botulinum toxin or Botox injections are recommended by dermatologists.
How?
Botulinum toxin breaks the transmission of acetylcholine between the brain and overactive sweat glands in the palms, soles, armpits, back, etc.
Depending on the severity of the sweating, as many as 20 injections are given in the affected areas. It takes anywhere between 30-45 minutes and, like cosmetic Botox, the results last several months. However, the chance of recurrence is high.
Scrotoplasty
Scrotoplasty surgery is on rise among body conscious men. Manscape, an urban word for excessive skin around the penis tip or scrotum makes some men conscious about their performance.
Why?
Scrotoplasty helps elevate the low hanging testis in such men. It does so by removing excessive scrotal skin.
How?
The surgery was originally used to restore the scrotum after cancer or injuries which disfigured the scrotum.
The procedure involves excising excess skin, then re-joining the dartos muscle at the seam of the scrotum to reduce scarring. It is performed under local anaesthesia as an outpatient procedure.
Gynaecomastia Surgery (Male Breast Reduction)
Indignantly referred to as Man Boobs, a flabby chest is a major concern for men who are conscious about their appearance. They maybe a result of poor diet, lack of exercise or simply an excess in oestrogen hormones which result in increased size of male breasts. They may also result from a drug adverse effect like ketoconazole, isoniazid or cimetidine.
Why?
In such patients, male breast reduction surgery improves long-term outcomes, including physical appearance and self-esteem. Only weight reduction is insufficient, since there is presence of glandular tissue which does not regress on its own. Gynecomastia can present at any age, and male breast reduction can be performed safely and successfully on teenagers and adult men alike. Surgery is a more definitive treatment option.
How?
Surgery aims to remove the excessive breast tissue between the skin and the pectoralis major muscles of the chest.
It is accomplished by taking a skin incision followed by liposuction. However, in cases of excess glandular tissue, tissue excision is also performed. Typically, nipple repositioning is also done so that after the male breast reduction surgery, nipples are forward-pointing.
Maintaining the chest contour after surgery is equally important. Compression garments aid in reducing the inflammation as well as help to maintain the shape. Around 2 weeks are required for recovery.
Heavy lifting of weights is contra-indicated for at least a month so that there is no unnecessary strain at the surgical site. Also, the drug intake should be monitored in consultation with your physician to avoid a recurrence of the same.