Stereotypes about men and looks abound: Guys aren’t supposed to care about how they look. Men are supposed to look masculine and rugged. Women get old while men get distinguished.
While it’s often assumed that women face more societal pressure to look a certain way or to avoid any and all signs of aging, the truth is that men face some pressure, too. In response to that pressure, more and more guys are seriously considering and turning to plastic surgery. Once thought to be a women-only realm, a number of plastic surgery procedures are becoming more popular with guys.
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is the one of the most popular plastic surgeries for males. Changing expectations and the evolution of stereotypes are just two of the reasons why male rhinoplasty has become so popular in recent years. Guys often seek out a nose job for a number of reasons.
Some men want rhinoplasty because their nose is too small for their face or because their nose is crooked. Others might consider rhinoplasty because the tip of their nose is too upturned, giving them a more feminine appearance, or because they want a more defined and less bulbous nose.
Some men seek out rhinoplasty for functional reasons. A deviated septum or other abnormality inside the nasal passage can interfere with a man’s ability to breathe, for example.
No matter a man’s reason for wanting rhinoplasty, the way the procedure is performed is different on men than it is on women. For example, different tip angles are considered attractive on male patients than on female patients. A woman usually wants a nasal tip that is at a 100 or so degree angle. Male patients typically want a nasal tip that doesn’t turn up too much. A right angle is usually preferable.
Chin Augmentation
One of the most defining features of a masculine face is a strong jawline and chin. But not every man is blessed with a prominent chin from birth. Some men have weak or small chins or chins that seem to sink into their neck.
Chin augmentation can help men with weak or smaller chins get a strong, masculine jawline. The surgery involves placing an implant in the chin area to increase its size and projection.
In some cases, a chin augmentation can also bring balance to the facial features. Some guys who think their nose is too large end up realizing that their chin was too small. A chin implant can help make a larger nose look more in line with the rest of the facial features. For that reason, many men considering rhinoplasty also seek a chin augmentation at the same time.
Breast Reduction
About 200,000 men suffer from a condition known as gynecomastia every year. A potentially very embarrassing condition, gynecomastia causes swelling in the breast tissue. It can go away on its own, but many men need surgery to correct the problem. A male breast reduction often involves cutting away the enlarged breast tissue or performing liposuction to remove fatty deposits from the breasts.
If you think you are a candidate for gynecomastia surgery, your surgeon will likely want to determine the cause of the breast enlargement before performing the surgery. It’s also important that you be in good health before surgery and that you have realistic expectations about what it can and can’t do.
Neck Lifts
While some surgeries, like rhinoplasty or male breast reduction, have long been popular with males, other procedures are beginning to gain popularity as society changes. For example, as culture becomes more youth focused and as younger and younger people find themselves in executive level positions at startups and more established tech companies, older men might feel an increased pressure to look youthful to help get promoted and to help them keep their jobs.
For that reason, neck lifts have become increasingly popular with men in recent years. The neck is often one of the first areas to show signs of aging. Common signs include crepey skin, bands across the neck or a droopiness that looks similar to a turkey’s wattle. A neck lift helps to tighten the loose skin and create a more sculpted, taut look. In some cases, a neck lift involves liposuction, which removes extra fat and can help minimize a double chin.
Whether male or female, one of the most important things a plastic surgery candidate can do is find an experienced, board certified surgeon to perform their procedure. Dr. Paul Vitenas, a board certified plastic surgeon in Houston, Texas, has more than 30 years of experience performing face and body procedures. To learn more about popular surgeries for men and to discuss your options in depth, call 281-484-0088 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Vitenas today.