By and large, women have been and continue to be the primary patients of plastic surgeons, but recent statistics reveal that men too are now seeking to improve their self-confidence and appearance through plastic surgery.
Men make up an estimated 10% of all cosmetic surgeries in the nation, and an increasing number of guys are discovering the benefits of improving their appearance in the work place.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) released a study that found a 2% overall increase in men who underwent a cosmetic procedure in 2010. While this may not seem like much, the actual number may surprise you—an estimated 1.1 million American men per year.
Now it’s hard not think about male plastic surgery without conjuring up images of Michael Jackson and Carrot Top. However, it’s not just male celebrities, models, and the wealthy turning to plastic surgery, but the “average Joe” too. Most of these procedures are minimalistic and mostly unnoticeable.
In a recent press release, Dr. Baker, an ASPS member and surgeon, responded by saying, “…the typical male cosmetic surgery patient that I see is an average guy who wants to look as good as he feels. Most of my patients are ‘men’s men,’ the kind of guy you might not think would have plastic surgery.”
One cause of the increased number of men seeking plastic surgery is the rise of men’s fitness and fashion magazines like GQ and Men’s Health. Popular television shows like Extreme Makeover and Mad Men are also making men realize that it’s okay to care about their appearance.
Another reason for the rise in men getting cosmetic procedures is the advantages it can give them in a competitive workplace, along with the non-invasive techniques surgeons can employ to get the job done faster and easier. Oftentimes older businessmen turn to plastic surgery to compete with their younger coworkers by retaining a youthful look. And in many cases, men don’t even have to take time off of work to get the procedure.
In 2011, a statistic found that the top five surgical procedures for men were:
- Liposuction
- Rhinoplasty
- Eyelid Surgery
- Breast Reduction (to treat enlarged male breasts)
- Facelift
Similarly, the top five minimally-invasive procedures for men in 2010 were:
Currently, more men than ever before are turning to plastic and cosmetic surgery, and trends suggest that the number will continue to rise in the coming years.
So, watch out women, you aren’t the only ones looking to improve self-confidence and physical appearance anymore.