A Few Things Men Should Know About Cosmetic Surgery
- Posted on: Jan 16 2018
By Debbie
Ah, the good old days of the 80s and 90s: foot-long 1G phones with retractable antennae, fold-out paper maps, your social security number available to all and sundry. Aacckk! I don’t want to go back, do you? A lot of things have changed since then. (Thank goodness — what would I do without my phone apps?!?)
A lot of social perceptions have changed as well, and for the better. Functions that used to be assigned to specific genders are expanding. Women are taking leading roles in government and entertainment, without people really noticing that they are women. And more and more men are becoming aware of what cosmetic surgery can do for them, knowing that the right procedures can help them regain an energetic, youthful appearance and have them looking their absolute best. We’ve certainly seen this at Azul. In fact, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the number of cosmetic procedures performed on men in the last two decades has increased more than 325%!
There are still a lot of misperceptions out there about male cosmetic surgery, though, and some entirely valid concerns on the part of men who just aren’t sure whether it’s right for them. We see a lot of men here at Azul, and we know that you want to have all the facts before you make your decision. So here are a few things that you’ll want to think about before you decide what, if anything, is right for you to do.
Consider Non-Surgical Options
Some people — both men and women — just don’t like the idea of surgery, but still want a harmonious rejuvenation of their appearance. Although surgical options (such as face and neck lifts) are still considered to be the gold standard of facial rejuvenation, there are many minimally invasive, and even completely non-invasive, cosmetic procedures that can give you fantastic, long-lasting results.
Famous cosmetic procedures like Botox are very popular with men who wish to eliminate small wrinkles (it’s the number one non-surgical procedure for both men and women). Dermal fillers are also a very popular option to fill in larger folds and wrinkles, restoring volume lost to aging. And if you’re looking for body contouring, CoolSculpting is the most effective non-surgical method available today. These are just a few: you have no shortage of options that will give you real, noticeable results, without requiring a single incision.
Find a Surgeon Who Understands Procedures for Men
Although men and women often have the same goals (to rejuvenate and revitalize their appearance), the specific results they aim for are somewhat different. Rather than the polished, “smooth” appearance that women often desire, most men want to retain a rugged, masculine look. They want… well, to look like men!
This means that, for example, in addition to a face and neck lift, men often decide to have a chin enhancement, for a stronger jawline and leaner neck profile. It also means that the techniques of lifting and tightening the skin during a man’s face and neck lift will be slightly different. Men tend to have a different tone and texture of skin than women, especially in the face. It’s thicker, rougher (sometimes oilier) texture, and there are more surface blood vessels in men’s faces.
This is why you want to choose a surgeon who really understands the unique needs of the male face. For example, when a woman has a face and neck lift, the surgeon doesn’t need to think about hair follicles and facial hair. Whereas men are sometimes concerned, understandably, that a facelift may shift the placement of their skin, resulting in facial hair growing in an unusual area of the face.
Considerations like these are where experience in procedures specifically for men really matters, and why consultations are so important. We tell women again and again, when they’re considering cosmetic surgery, that it’s vital to “interview” several doctors, to find the one who is perfect for their needs. This is absolutely true for men as well. The surgeon you choose should make you feel completely comfortable, should understand your unique needs as a man, and should have the experience to help you make your goals a reality. With over 20 years of experience, and his own understanding as a man (ask him about the procedures he’s had done himself!), Dr. Flaharty brings his individual appreciation to each procedure he performs. He discusses his customized approach to men’s procedures in this short video.
Don’t Shortchange Your Recovery
“Cutting to the chase” doesn’t really cut it, here. Think about the entire process, not just how much it will cost and how long the procedure will take. Your recovery is vital to the success of your results, and to your own health. Depending on the procedure, you could require a few days, or even a couple weeks, to recover afterward. The more invasive the procedure, the more time you will need.
There can be a certain pressure on men, not to be seen as “taking it easy” — even when they are recovering from surgery! But keep in mind that you aren’t just sitting around during this time. You are actively healing, and pushing yourself during your recovery is a mistake. Not giving yourself enough time to recover can lead to surgical complications, sometimes major ones. Not only that, the quality of your aesthetic result is dependent on your body having an appropriate time to heal. If you push yourself, doing physical activities before you are ready, you can negatively affect your final results. If you decide to have a procedure, it’s worthwhile to do everything you can on your end to make the end result the best possible.
Think about it this way: if you bought a ’68 Cobra to restore, would you expect to drive it to a car show in two days? Of course not. And with cosmetic surgery, you are in effect “restoring” yourself. So give yourself the time you need before you put yourself out on the showroom floor!
Set Realistic Expectations
When cosmetic surgery is presented in the media, it can often give an impression that borders on magic. Results are instantaneous, recovery time is downplayed. Every conceivable “imperfection” is gone. But these media results only show the absolute “best case” results, enhanced by professional photography, makeup and lighting, and sometimes even airbrushing afterward.
Although you can certainly expect significant rejuvenation from your cosmetic procedure, your final results often depend on where you were before you came in. For example, CoolSculpting is not intended to be a weight-loss method. It’s designed to contour your body and eliminate those stubborn areas of fat that exercise and diet don’t touch. So, if you’re thinking about CoolSculpting, it’ll give you better results if you’re as close as possible to your target weight beforehand.
The quality of your results also depends on your lifestyle. For example, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise can help keep the results of your CoolSculpting looking good for years. Or, if you’ve had surgery and you’re a smoker, be aware that the nicotine in your system can make your blood clot more easily, which can result in a decreased blood supply to tissues that are trying to heal. And if you’re used to spending time outdoors without sun protection, this can cause the results of CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing to fade more quickly. (By the way, if you’re looking for a great sunscreen for a man’s active lifestyle, try the Azul Mineral Defense. It fits easily in your sports bag, only takes a second to apply, and you don’t look like you’re wearing anything at all.)
Discreet, subtle, genuine. Not monumental changes, nothing that would draw immediate attention on the racquetball court or in the office. Just something that makes people think, “Wow, he looks good!” Here at Azul, we understand what you’re looking for. So if your mirror isn’t exactly reflecting the natural, energetic, strong appearance you know it could show, take a look at some of the surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures we offer, or give our office a call at (239) 415-7576 to book a free consultation with Dr. Flaharty, and find out how cosmetic surgery can make a real difference in your life.
Posted in: Procedures