Men Fuel Rebound in Cosmetic Surgery

Statistics released today (3/21/11) by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) show that more men are going under the knife. Overall cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in men were up 2 percent in 2010 compared to 2009. However, many male surgical procedures increased significantly. Facelifts for men rose 14 percent in 2010 while male liposuction increased 7 percent.

2010 ASPS statistics show that men underwent more than 1.1 million cosmetic procedures, both minimally-invasive and surgical. The majority of the the Men’s Top 10 fastest-growing cosmetic procedures are surgical, which bucks the previous trend of growth in minimally-invasive treatments.

“The growth in cosmetic surgical procedures for men may be a product of our aging baby boomers who are now ready to have plastic surgery,” said ASPS President Phillip Haeck, MD. “Minimally-invasive procedures such as Botox® and soft tissue fillers work to a point. However, as you age and gravity takes over, surgical procedures that lift the skin are necessary in order to show significant improvement.”

Men's Top Ten: Fastest-Growing Male Cosmetic Procedures (by percentage increase)

The list is comprised of the fastest-growing surgical and minimally-invasive procedures from 2009 to 2010. Criteria for inclusion: Procedure performed on at least 1,000 men in 2010.
(Surgical procedures are denoted by *).
1) Facelift* - 14% Increase
2) Ear Surgery* (Otoplasty) – 11% Increase
3) Soft Tissue Fillers – 10% Increase
4) Botulinum Toxin Type A – 9% Increase
5) Liposuction* – 7% Increase
6) Breast Reduction in Men* - 6% Increase
7) Eyelid Surgery* - 4% Increase
8) Dermabrasion* - 4% Increase
9) Laser Hair Removal - 4% Increase
10) Laser Treatment of Leg Veins - 4% Increase

Plastic surgeons say that another trend they see in male plastic surgery is the type of patient seeking their services.

Plastic surgery patient Joe Marek before his facelift. “Typically people think of celebrities and high profile men going under the knife,” said Stephen Baker, MD, an ASPS Member Surgeon based in Washington DC. “And while that may be true, the typical male cosmetic surgery patient that I see is an average guy who wants to look as good as he feels. Most of my patients are ‘men’s men,’ the kind of guy you might not think would have plastic surgery.”

Dr. Baker said that baby boomers who are now reaching retirement age are the new face of the male plastic surgery trend. “They want to look good. So when they have the financial means to do it, they are ready to do it now,” said Dr. Baker.