It”s not that unusual anymore to see men visiting plastic surgeons. At my Naples, Florida, practice, many men want to improve their appearance after seeing photos of themselves on Facebook or other social media. That reflects a nationwide trend reported earlier this year in a survey conducted by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS).
Many of the guys are interested non-surgical treatments, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic injections. A growing number of men, however, want facelifts but aren”t sure whether such a procedure is possible. Not only is it possible — it”s popular. Facelifts were among the top 5 cosmetic surgical procedures for men in 2012, up 6% from the previous year, according to statistics compiled by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons®.
Special Considerations for Men
There are some special considerations plastic surgeons need to take when performing a facelift on a man. Some are practical, such as camouflaging incisions by making them closer to the ear, which also avoids interfering with sideburns. A man”s facial skin is typically thicker and more robust than a woman”s, which can affect the results.
While both women and men get facelifts to look younger, I”ve noticed that my male patients are more often motivated by career opportunities than women. For example, a man might say a facelift will help him get a promotion, whereas most of my female patients seem to cite age and self-esteem as their motivating factors rather than career ambitions.
Whatever the reason, it”s important for both men and women to make sure they choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon to perform the procedure to avoid having a “worked on” look more common at the hands of a less experienced surgeon.