Cosmetic surgery is something associated with women but new research has shown that an increasing number of men are interested in having work carried out. With both surgical and non-surgical work on offer, it’s never been quicker or easier to get a boost – and it’s not something that’s aimed just at the girls.

Marketers have been quick to catch on to the trend, and campaigns are now being targeted specifically towards men too. With pressure growing on men to stay looking young and vibrant for as long as possible, many are turning to cosmetic surgeons for a bit of help.

Are Men Really Interested?

“Thirty-one percent of men said they were “extremely likely” to consider a cosmetic procedure”

The change in attitudes isn’t something that’s happened overnight but has gradually crept up. Often referred to as the “David Beckham effect”, the millionaire footballer was one of the first big names to make it socially acceptable to be immaculately groomed and still enjoy a macho reputation.

Since Beckham, a long list of celebrities and sports stars have joined the list, each one adding to the trend. It’s now the norm to look after your appearance, regardless of what gender you are.

The interest in appearance isn’t really anything new but the change has been the openness. In the past, men may have secretly borrowed their partner’s moisturiser or groomed more discreetly whereas now it’s in the open. There’s nothing embarrassing about wanting to look good and it’s a generally accepted fact now.

The number of men choosing to go under the knife has risen by over 110 per cent since 2000, with a report from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (Baaps) which indicated that 4,614 men underwent cosmetic surgery in 2015, and that were only those that were reported!

Undoubtedly, from many surveys, there had been a rise in non-surgical treatments for men such as Botox, fillers and other body treatments. A survey by Syneron Candela backed up this result, revealing that a third of men would be willing to consider going to a clinic for laser hair removal.

Bigger studies from overseas came up with the same conclusion. The American Association of Plastic Surgeons confirmed that between 2010 and 2014 the number of men having non-surgical procedures climbed by 67%. During the same period, the number of men having botox rocketed by 337%.

Understanding The Male Skin

Although the same types of treatment – such as botox – can be offered to both men and women, there are differences in the skin. To get a good result it’s therefore important to consult a practitioner who’s experienced in working with male skin and offers treatments that suit.

Cosmetic surgeon, Miss Jonquille Chantrey, in the US, says that male skin rarely becomes dry, even as they age. She suggests this is due to the production of testosterone which has the effect of making the skin oily. This oiliness offers protection too and is one of the reasons why women often age visibly earlier than men.

However, it’s not all good news. Miss Chantrey also points out that the male skin has to typically undergo the rigours of daily shaving which can irritate the cells of the epidermis leaving it sensitive to the effects of UV light and vulnerable to degradation.

Independent prescriber and registered nurse, Adrian Baker agrees that men’s skin has to be treated differently to get the best results. Baker says that male skin is “…thicker, oilier and in the lower face is densely packed with structural hair follicles.” This packed follicle ration can be protective, adding firmness which isn’t present in female skin.

What Men Want From Their Appointments

Men walking into a clinic for treatment used to be a rare occurrence but as discussed above, it’s now far more commonplace. And it’s not just the high powered businessmen that want to stay looking their best in the boardroom; male patients are coming from all walks of life

There’s also been a shift in attitudes too with men taking control of their own treatments and arriving with an idea of what they want. In the past, many arrived with little or no idea about the best treatment to meet their needs, instead, relying on recommendations from the practitioner.

Fast forward to the modern day and it’s now very different. Male patients from across the spectrum come in, often on their own rather than being accompanied by a partner, and know exactly what they want.

Studies suggest that men are interested in different types of treatment too. Whereas women tend to be the more focused on wrinkles and eradicating fine lines, men are more interested in improving a tired appearance. Acne scarring is one of the top treatments sought out by men, followed by general rejuvenation and laser hair removal is up there in the list.

However, even when men seek the same treatments as women, they’re not looking for the same result.

Generally women want arched, raised brows, high cheekbones and plump, kissable lips, creating a sculpted yet feminine look.

By contrast, although men may also be concerned with banishing crows feet, frown lines, increasing lip volume and looking less tired, they don’t want the same feminine look. It’s therefore vital that the clinic has experience in delivering results that are effective without feminising the face.

Choosing A Clinic

More and more clinics are now catering towards the needs of men, incorporating different types of treatment. While women tend to want to feel more pampered, men often prefer much less fuss, wanting to get in and out of the clinic in as little time as possible.

Although male aesthetics has come a long way in a relatively short space of time, not all clinics have enough experience in working with male skin. It’s therefore important to do your research and find one has the experience to deliver outstanding results.

Lucky for you, we have done the research for you and can recommend you the right clinic for your concerns and budget.

Many of the clinics we partner with offer free consultations, this gives you the chance to make sure you’ve found the right place before taking the plunge. If you’re interested in a non-surgical treatment, book a free appointment today and get the info you need for the next steps.

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