‘Liquid Facelifts’ Attracting Increasing Number of Men to Med Spas
by Beauty Blogger Emmy Owens
Chances are you’ve come across a reality show on television focused on plastic surgery, or you saw an article about how getting cosmetic treatments is losing its stigma. But even if it seems there’s a daily story about this or that celebrity getting work done, men remain generally reluctant to discuss the topic.
There is no doubt, however, that more men than ever are booking appointments at med spas and with plastic surgeons to maintain their youthful appearances. According to the online community RealSelf, which monitors cosmetic trends by surveying specialists, 72{f4e1575822752660c3387461b06f16047197db710b64f29e8565d582c3a8cd4f} of doctors surveyed reported a sizable increase in male patients in the past year, with more than half of the influx coming from men between the ages of 24 and 44.
Those numbers are underscored by 2014 statistics compiled by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, which show the number of men getting both surgical and non-surgical procedures climbed 43{f4e1575822752660c3387461b06f16047197db710b64f29e8565d582c3a8cd4f} compared with the previous year.
“This is not a trend we expect to see wane anytime soon,” Dr. James Grotting, ASAPS president, says in a press release issued earlier this year by the organization. “Facing a challenging and sometimes ageist job market, men, like women, are starting to consider their options to maintain a youthful appearance that exudes exuberance and energy and the full spectrum of care offered by board-certified plastic surgeons caters to their individual needs.”
One of the driving forces behind the increase in men getting cosmetic treatments is the rising availability of non-surgical procedures ranging from non-invasive body contouring devices to injectable treatments such as fillers and BOTOX® Cosmetic. The phrase “Brotox” has even started taking hold because so many men are getting injections of the wrinkle-reducing drug.
Med spas, plastic surgery practices, and dermatologists are seeing more men for anti-aging injectables and laser skin-tightening treatments such as Ultherapy®, which lifts and tones sagging skin. Men using RealSelf are most interested in CoolSculpting®, another non-surgical treatment that reduces fat from love handles and double chins.
Because men are generally more self-conscious about co-workers or friends learning they’ve had some cosmetic treatment performed, they prefer procedures that allow them to improve their appearance discreetly. Men often get “liquid facelifts,” a combination of injectable treatments that address early signs of aging. They typically include customized mix of dermal fillers and BOTOX.
Birmingham, Alabama, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael S. Beckenstein says on his website that the advantages of a liquid facelift are they require no incisions and little to no downtime, they are less expensive than surgery, and they have a lot of versatility, enabling patients to target specific areas.
For men, though, subtlety may be the most important advantage. As Dr. Beckenstein’s site says, “Your appearance may attract a few double-takes from friends and co-workers who think you look rested or refreshed or that you’ve changed your hairstyle. But a liquid facelift won’t yield the more dramatic results that occur following a surgical facelift.”
As the number of effective non-surgical treatments rises while the stigma against cosmetic enhancement falls, plastic surgeons and med spas expect the trend in more men to continue.
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