21 Sep 2023 | by Leonard Miller, MD, FACS, FRCS
When I first started in practice, men were not really part of my patient population. There was a stigma that it wasn’t necessarily “masculine” to care about your looks. Thankfully, that has changed. Men today hit the gym regularly and eat right to keep their physique in top form. They have started to embrace good skin care as well as non-surgical and surgical procedures to rejuvenate both their face and their body.
However, there are some important differences to consider when it comes to aesthetic procedures for men. Some come down to anatomy, but some are more amorphous. So, even though men are one of the fastest growing segments in aesthetic and plastic surgery, many are still self-conscious about coming into the office. At the Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, we pride ourselves on creating an environment that is caring, discreet and respectful. From the way that we handle patient intake to our results, our philosophy is that no one should know that you have had anything “done” unless you decide to tell them.
Top Non-Surgical Procedures for Men
The biggest leap forward in terms of aesthetic procedures for men is probably in the non-surgical arena. In general, men don’t have as much tolerance for downtime as women. They don’t want to look different just good for their age. This is why a procedure such as Coolsculpting is so popular among our male patients. It is an effective, easy way to get rid of excess pockets of fat in the:
- Abdomen
- Love handles
- Double chin
Coolsculpting is fast enough to be performed during your lunch hour and can deliver results without the need to miss any work. For the same reason, men are also big fans of injectables such as:
Kybella, like Coolsculpting, is a non-surgical method for reducing fat, specifically the submental fat underneath the chin. This is a real problem area for many men as a defined, crisp jawline is one of those hallmarks of a masculine looking face.
Honoring the Differences Between Men & Women
Men are put together differently than women. This sounds obvious, but part of this difference comes down to our universal perception of masculinity. A crisp, almost square jawline and a flat chest are considered by many to be manly. We’ve seen this played out in advertising from Tarzan to the Marlboro man. This is why it is crucial when considering any procedure, even something as popular as Botox or fillers, that you see someone who really understands the male anatomy.
Men have different physical considerations than women. We tend to have larger muscles and thicker skin. This means, for example, that men may require more Botox than women in order to achieve the same result. But more importantly, no aesthetic procedure, be it something non-surgical like Coolsculpting or something surgical like a facelift, should ever feminize a man’s face or body. As a man myself and a lifelong proponent of natural looking results, you will always leave my office looking like yourself — just yourself after a really great vacation.
Top Surgical Procedures for Men
As I mentioned, most men like a smooth, flat chest. However, “man boobs” is an incredibly common condition that affects men of all ages. It can be physically and emotionally debilitating. It is also known as Gynecomastia. The procedure is often a combination of liposuction and gland excision and is an effective surgical procedure that can quickly and easily deliver the kind of masculine looking chest that you’ll be proud to show at the beach. There are a number of different ways of addressing excess fat and tissue in the chest. The right one for you is going to depend on your individual anatomy and needs. This is why we always recommend that patients book an in-person consultation before considering any kind of aesthetic procedure.
See more patients »When it comes to the face, men, like women, are concerned about their eyes. They are typically the first feature to show the signs of aging. While a little Botox can certainly help to dispel crow’s feet, once the skin and tissues of the upper lids start to droop or descend and/or the fat pad underneath the eyes begins to resemble a sleeping bag, it is time to consider surgery. A blepharoplasty is one of my favorite surgical procedures because it has the ability to completely transform a man’s face. Your eyes are an expression of your personality. When they begin to look tired, it can make you feel tired. Furthermore, upper and/or lower eyelid surgery doesn’t require a significant amount of downtime. This makes it particularly appealing to my male patients who want to look as vital as they feel.
So, if the reflection that you see in the mirror no longer feels like you, come in and speak with us about aesthetic procedures for men. We are constantly adding new tools to our tool chest that can deliver rejuvenated, masculine, totally natural looking results with minimal downtime. To find out more about aesthetic procedures for men with Dr. Leonard Miller at the Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call (617) 735- 8735 to schedule a consultation.
