08/26/19 | 5 MIN READ

For many years, the world of plastic surgery has been dominated by female patients seeking to reverse the signs of aging or to change some aspect of their physical appearance. The societal pressure to maintain a youthful, pleasant look has historically been placed upon women. Well, times are changing and Dr. Raval has seen a growing population of men who are interested in procedures like rhinoplasty and facelifts as well as non-surgical treatments like Botox and facial fillers. Hair replacement surgery remains at the top of the list for men, but more and more, they are exploring the procedures that have been popular among women for many years.

Why Do Men Seek Cosmetic Surgery?

Every person - man or woman - is attracted to plastic surgery for different reasons. Just like women, men want to be satisfied by their physical appearance. When diet, exercise, and a generally active lifestyle do not (or cannot, in the case of aging) produce desired results, cosmetic surgery can be the answer. Filler treatments like Botox provide an excellent solution for fine lines and wrinkles that also plague men. Working to preserve or even accentuate the masculine features of the face, Dr. Raval’s many years of experience have taught him that men desire a slightly fuller face throughout without unnecessary accentuation of the cheek bones or lips. They crave a natural looking result, just as women do.

Men have also discovered the magic of laser hair removal. Tired of the daily chore of shaving the face and neck; annoyed by constant ingrown hairs and razor burn, they are turning to Dr. Raval in great numbers to get their Manscaping under control.

Of course, there are also medical reasons for men to have certain procedures, like rhinoplasty, that extend beyond the desire to look handsome. Improved breathing and nasal function are just as important for men as for women.

Let’s take a closer look at some of these plastic surgery trends for men.

Rhinoplasty Procedures for Men

Every individual has unique desires when it comes to the appearance of their nose. In addition, there are slight anatomical differences between men and women that influence the surgical procedure. For example, men tend to have thicker skin and stronger bone and cartilage than women. An experienced surgeon can appreciate these differences as well as the unique motivations and desired outcomes of a male patient. Dr. Raval creates an individualized surgical plan for men, showing the intended results of surgery through computer simulations. In his experience, “men want a straighter nose, while some women want a more scooped nose. Unlike women, men almost never want an upturned nose.” Despite differences in desired appearance of the nose, Dr. Raval observes that “both men and women want a natural look that also maintains function, the ability to breathe, and almost everyone wants to maintain the ethnic appearance of their nose.” So while rhinoplasty for men and women are not entirely different, there are specific nuances for each. Choosing a surgeon who understands that and is qualified to address those slight differences is key.

Unique Filler Treatments for Men

Dr. Raval's office has seen a bump in the number of men seeking volume replacement. The increase seems to come from the highly-active, physically fit nature of the Colorado lifestyle. With training and exercise, men can boast attractively low body fat percentages. Low body fat also means that their thin faces don’t have the volume that once gave them a more youthful appearance. Filler injections restore that youthful volume.

Fillers like Botox, Dysport, Restylane Lyft, and Juvederm are injected using an extremely fine needle in order to restore volume and reduce the appearance or fine lines and wrinkles. These treatments are minimally invasive and provide immediate results with virtually zero downtime. Juvederm and Restylane Lyft are popularly used in filler treatments for men. Juvederm is composed of a naturally-occurring ingredient, hyaluronic acid, which is safe and gives great results. The product smooths out lines in the skin by giving more natural-looking volume to the face for up to 9 months. Restylane Lyft is also an ultra-smooth filler composed of hyaluronic acid with results that last 18 months with two treatments. Treatments with Restylane Lyft are often called a “5-Minute Facelift” due to the remarkable enhancement of the mid-face area. Deep lines may require a more involved procedure, but for mild signs of aging or for sun damaged skin, men can look to these quick, out-patient procedures.

Laser Hair Removal for Men

There has definitely been an uptick in the number of men coming to see Dr. Raval about laser hair removal. Shaving your face and your neck, especially around the back, can be a daily annoyance. You might regularly see ingrown hairs, razor bumps, or folliculitis that causes tiny pimples. Laser hair removal is fast, it is safe and effective for use virtually anywhere on your body, and it is only slightly uncomfortable, according to most guys. A hairy behind, back, or certain other parts of the anatomy, can cause you to feel self-conscious. We know you just want to show off your smooth skin and physique without having to shave or wax (ouch!).

Athletes Love Laser Hair Removal

Swimmers, cyclists, and bodybuilders prefer to have very little body hair. Hair creates drag, and in a sport where a split second can determine a win or loss, that matters. Hair can cause uncomfortable chafing under tight cycling shorts and compression tights, especially once you start to sweat. Laser hair removal gives you the sleek skin you need for peak performance. Plus, you can say goodbye to the time and hassle of repeated shaving or waxing prior to workouts or competitions.

Laser Hair Removal: What is it Like?

The lasers we use for hair removal target pigment in individual hair follicles with a tiny beam of intense light. The light kills the follicle, so it stops producing hair. Treatments can take anywhere from a few minutes for a small area to about an hour for your entire back, for example. You will need several sessions for maximum results. That’s because hair grows in cycles and the laser only works on actively-growing hairs. Multiple sessions enable us to reach and treat as many follicles as possible. Whether your goal is to eliminate hair or just reduce its thickness, results will be very long-lasting, but not entirely permanent. Eventually a few fine hairs may return and if they do, we can easily treat them at that time.

Because the laser works below the surface, it doesn’t affect your skin. That said, you may feel a little discomfort (like a mild sunburn) for a day or two afterward. There is no downtime involved, but you’ll have to skip your workout for 48 hours because excess blood flow can cause inflammation.

New Trends in Male Cosmetic Procedures

More and more men are stepping into the world of plastic surgery. What once seemed like a segment of the medical community that was more suited to women, is now quickly becoming a place for men as well. As seen recently in the national media (ABC’s Good Morning America & NBC’s Today Show), men are looking for ways to appear younger that might require going under the knife.

With advancements in plastics procedures, surgeries that used to require a stay in the hospital can now be done on an outpatient basis. With less time needed for recovery, Dr. Raval says this appeals to men who don't want to take a significant amount of time for an elective procedure. “We are seeing more facelifts, eyelid surgery, chin work and even Botox in men than ever before.” Men are looking to plastic surgery for a variety of reasons. Increasingly, men are seeking plastic surgery to keep up with a younger wife or to stay relevant and competitive in the workplace. After all, men want to look just as good as women as they age. They’re just starting to realize that the same tools are available to them if they choose the cosmetic route.