“Men are becoming less and less ashamed to come to a cosmetic surgeon,” reveals Mart Eller, a plastic surgeon at Kotka Private Hospital. “Often, they come for the first time with their wives to inquire. But if the result is tasteful, men will come alone in the future.” However, he does not consider it very likely that men would discuss these topics with their friends, even though women talk about these things with their female friends.
How many men undergo beauty procedures compared to women?
Over the last ten years, significantly more men have started coming. Many colleagues in Central Europe have mentioned that about a third of their patients are men. In Estonia, there aren’t quite as many male patients yet, but that number is on the rise.
What is the most common beauty procedure for which men turn to a cosmetic surgeon?
Liposuction, eyelid surgery, gynecomastia, or reduction of enlarged breast tissue.
What about intimate surgery?
Intimate surgery is not very common, although it can be said that it is desired more during certain periods and less at others. Circumcision, or partial removal of the foreskin, is more frequently requested.
At what age do men desire procedures?
Men who desire cosmetic surgery are of very different ages, but most of them fall into the 20–60 range.
Is there a difference in performing surgery on a man or a woman?
Definitely. For example, men’s skin is thicker – in certain cases, this can make the procedure more difficult, but also the opposite.
Do men who earn money with their appearance more frequently seek the services of a cosmetic surgeon?
Men for whom appearance is an important source of income more frequently opt for non-invasive procedures, i.e., Botox, fillers. However, for surgical procedures, there seems to be no difference in profession.
What is the difference between Botox and a filler injection?
Botox, or botulinum toxin, is the strongest natural, neuromuscular poison, which is injected into specific muscles to achieve their paralysis. In aesthetic medicine, it is used to relax mimic muscles, as these are precisely what cause wrinkles.
The most popular fillers are hyaluronic acid-based. Hyaluronic acid is a gel-like substance naturally found in the human body, which has the property of attracting water molecules. By injecting stabilized hyaluronic acid of varying densities into specific areas and depths of the face, we achieve a lifting effect.
If the desire is to get rid of wrinkles, Botox is usually the first choice. However, if the patient wishes to lift facial contours, then fillers are used for that purpose.
What do you do if a client wants something that completely contradicts your opinion?
The decision is made by the doctor. If I see that the patient’s expectations are unrealistic or if there is a suspicion that they have BDD (body dysmorphic disorder), then I have the right to refuse. In the case of body dysmorphia, a person’s attention is fixated on a certain body area that they believe needs correction. This has developed into an obsession that severely disrupts the patient’s daily life. In cases of body dysmorphia, surgery does not actually help the person – the patient will not be satisfied with the result or the fixation will move to the next area.
This topic and these patients have not been studied much in Estonia or globally. It is estimated that about two percent of the general population might be such people. However, among those seeking aesthetic medicine services, this number can be up to 20 percent.
What kind of face is currently in fashion in aesthetic surgery?
High cheekbones, a defined jawline, quite full lips. There is also a noticeable tendency for today’s young people to prefer a more androgenous look.
What does the future hold for aesthetic surgery?
I am sometimes asked if aesthetic surgery isn’t just a boom that is currently very popular. I believe that cosmetic surgery is here to stay. As long as we have social media, beauty filters, and photo editing, this “boom” will continue.
The article was published in Postimees
