Times do change, especially in the world of beauty. Once a closely guarded secret and source of shame, cosmetic enhancement for men is now commonplace. Like today’s woman, today’s man is eager to bring back and/or maintain his youthful looks to remain competitive in work and in love.
“As the average lifespan of human beings increases with each generation, the need to look after ourselves through middle-age and beyond is now a common goal.” Dr May Marr, member of the Royal Australian College of Physicians.
Trend Watch: Male Cosmetic Enhancement
No one knows precisely how many cosmetic enhancement procedures are performed in Australia, nor how many of the patients are men. National statistics for the industry are not collected at this time, in part because these procedures are generally considered elective and are not covered by Medicare.
That being said, it’s estimated that one in ten cosmetic surgery seekers in Oz is male, and some practices report that up to one-quarter of patients are men.
Top Cosmetic Procedures for Men
The top procedures for men seeking a surgical solution to imperfections and visible signs of ageing are
- Reduction of enlarged breasts (gynecomastia)
- Facelift
- Rhinoplasty
- Eyelid surgery
- Cosmetic ear surgery
- Liposuction
Men seeking less invasive treatments are choosing
- Cosmetic Injectables/Muscle Relaxants
- Dermal Fillers
- Facial Resurfacing
- Hair Removal
- Microdermabrasion
Why Men Seek Cosmetic Enhancement
Manhattan-based plastic surgeon Douglas Steinbrech summed up men’s increased interest in looking good like this, “In a marketplace where looking fit, younger, and more masculine is imperative, the better you look, the better your chances of ascending the corporate ladder.”
At the office, competition from a new, younger generation is, indeed, fierce. Middle-aged men don’t want to be perceived as past their prime; they want to appear as sharp and alert as men 20 years their junior. Facial lines and wrinkles are ageing, making men look tired and not up to the task at hand. The answer: surgical and non-surgical cosmetic enhancement.
Male Cosmetic Enhancement Gone Wild
One major factor that has brought more men to cosmetic enhancement is the natural-looking results that can now be achieved. Generally speaking, men prefer minimal changes rather than a drastic procedure or series of procedures that completely reshapes their body or face.
There are, of course, exceptions.
Brazilian flight attendant Rodrigo Alves spent nearly $170,000 to look like a Ken doll:
