As more and more males choose plastic surgery, it’s no longer taboo—it’s a trend

When you consider the idea of plastic surgery, it’s likely you are envisioning a female. Is that right? It’s time to rethink that idea.

The reality is, males today are engaging in plastic surgery at greater rates than ever before. Business Insider reports that the number of plastic surgeries performed on men increased 106% from 1997 to 2012. In fact, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported that last year men chose to have more than one million cosmetic procedures done, just under 10% of procedures done overall. While this may be a surprise, the reasons men are turning to plastic surgery are quite similar to why females find plastic surgery such an appealing opportunity: it’s a viable, safe option to take control of your life, your body and simply feel better about yourself overall.

These positive feelings tend to have sunny side effects in other areas of men’s life other than their bodies and physical well-being. In fact, men who have plastic surgery tend to be more competitive in the job market because it allows them to look successful—in other words, physically fit, healthy, happy and masculine. When you’re at the top of your game in your industry, it helps to come across as someone who also has his personal life in order, which often translates into the impression you make with co-workers and clients on an aesthetic level.

So, what exactly does plastic surgery for men entail? Following are some procedures that men are opting to have done, and the best part is, these procedures don’t have to be invasive to make a marked difference in your appearance.

Popular Non-Invasive Procedures for Men

Cool Sculpting: Cool Sculpting is a procedure men often have done to zap stubborn fat cells that refuse to disappear, even after significant exercise and dietary changes. These cells are referred to as localized subcutaneous cells; think of them as that unwanted fat that may hang near your abdomen, thighs and back. What Cool Sculpting does is chills and damages the fat away, allowing it to naturally be metabolized by the body.

Ultherapy: Ultherapy focuses on restoring your skin’s firmness, which in turn reduces the natural wrinkles, lines and sagging that occur with age. These natural signs of aging on your face are practically unavoidable; think of crow’s feet, sagging skin around your neck and chin; loose folds in the neck. Ultherapy is completely non-invasive and uses ultrasound waves to lift and tighten your skin, helping to stimulate collagen to give you that renewed, firm and youthful look with no down time.

HCG Diet: You may not associate a “diet” with classic plastic surgery, but this special program uses Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) injections to add fuel to your body’s fat burning process. HCG naturally occurs in your body and is very efficient at helping to deplete your body’s built up, stored fat. Injections of HCG, under doctor supervision, will aid your body in releasing its stored fat. These injections, along with a disciplined diet, will allow you to reach astonishing weight loss goals you never thought were possible.

Botox: Botox may be a procedure you have heard so much about, but haven’t yet tried. Men are turning to Botox more and more as a simple, non-invasive procedure which provides great results in a short amount of time. Botox injections are painless, fast and given in minute amounts. These injections essentially paralyze and relax muscles in your face that may be causing deep-set creases (such as between your eyes and your forehead). The result? More relaxed, youthful looking skin with minimized lines and wrinkles.

Voluma: Voluma is different that Botox in that it’s a facial filler, adding volume to your face in order to create a youthful appearance. A popular client request for Voluma is to help to fill in fat in the cheeks, perhaps no longer prominent after so many years. Adding Voluma to these and other areas creates volume, bringing back that youthful look and shape prior to your collagen production slowing.

Popular Surgical Options for Men

Brow Lift: A brow lift, also known as a forehead life, is a surgical procedure done to smooth out deep lines from repeated facial expressions over time, and to lift and raise sagging skin to a youthful position. A pleasant side effect of a brow lift is that it tends to lift the skin around the upper eyelid, allowing you the pleasure of improved eyesight. This procedure takes just two to three hours and patients are always placed under IV sedation or general anesthesia.

Eyelid: Your eyes offer everyone you meet an immediate first impression, unavoidable and often a critical moment in personal and business life. For many men opting for eyelid surgery, this means doing away with the sags, puffiness and bunches of fat that naturally occur under and around the eyes as we age. Having more youthful eyes gives men the appearance of being energized and refreshed, ready to take on any challenge.

Liposuction and Abdominal Contouring: Men tend to turn to Liposuction after exhausting diet and exercise. Liposuction is a surgical procedure which completely removes fat from your typical problem zones: your abdomen, flanks, and hips. Liposuction can result in a sleeker, more proportionate body. It’s a great option for men who are active and healthy, but would like this extra step to help them accomplish their aesthetic goals and feel fantastic.

Male Facelift: Men choose a facelift if they wish to instantly look at least 10 years younger. Unlike the brow lift, a facelift for men focuses on sagging lower areas—from the eyes to the mouth, the jawline to the ears. A facelift provides solid fixes for sagging and deep set lines; plus, it can be easily combined with other procedures, like eyelid surgery or browlifts, for a focus on your upper face.

A Lasting Trend

Plastic surgery for men will continue to be popular this year and beyond. And it’s not just about vanity and looks. We are all living longer and wishing for the best quality of life, and that also means feeling and looking successful, healthy and vibrant.

Men are choosing plastic surgery to mirror what they feel inside to everyone they meet—that they are energetic, spirited and ambitious inside and out. With numerous options ranging from simple, non-invasive procedures to thorough and skilled facelifts, men have more options than ever before to look and feel their best, no matter their age.

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