The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) annual report is out and it’s clear men have made a major impact. Last year, plastic surgeons performed 17 percent more male facelifts than in 2022. We’re diving in to discover what’s behind the rise in this procedure.
Featured Experts
- Robert Singer, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in San Diego, CA
- Norman Rowe, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in New York
- Raman C. Mahabir, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Tuscon, AZ
The Latest Data From ASPS
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board certified plastic surgeons in the world, making up more than 92 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the country. Their yearly report is a window into the offices of all those members, letting us know what’s trending and what’s changing. And this year, men are making a big impact.
Male Facelifts are Trending
Men are absolutely shaking up the world of plastic surgery. In the year 2023 alone, male facelifts grew a stunning 17 percent, outpacing the growth for female facelifts in the same year. And our experts are certainly seeing this trend in their offices.
“Men want to look good too,” explains New York plastic surgeon Norman Rowe, MD. “While traditionally approximately 5-7 percent of most cosmetic surgery practices, I’ve seen an uptick and men make up approximately 20 percent of my percent.”
According to Tuscon, AZ plastic surgeon Raman C. Mahabir, MD, this trend corresponds with an increase in media focus on aesthetics and wellness for men.
“We are absolutely seeing and scheduling more men for facial rejuvenation,” Dr. Mahabir says. “There has been a strong push in the media and social media to showcase men with more vitality. Think Jeremy Renner or Jon Hamm, these men look strong and confident. While personality carries this a long way, a certain strength in the jawline and lack of obvious signs of aging very much support this.”
Why are Male Facelifts Gaining Popularity?
The double-digit growth male facelifts saw in 2023 especially stands out given the belt-tightening effect inflation has had on the economy.
“I think the bottom line is that we’re seeing, despite the economy and everything else going on, an ongoing and increased interest in patients trying to look as good as they can,” says San Diego, CA plastic surgeon Robert Singer, MD. “As the job market becomes more demanding and competitive, males want to look better. If they look fresher and more vibrant, they’re received differently. Since many of them are still using Zoom and social media, they see their faces and notice areas they would like to improve.”
Alongside a media focus on male aesthetics, Dr. Mahabir notes that the shift in expected retirement age has also made an impact. “Men are staying in the workforce later for both financial and personal reasons,” he notes. “And plastic surgeons are showcasing male facelifts more. It all adds up to more men exploring facial rejuvenation.”
That’s not to mention that facial procedures have only gotten better.
“The other thing is, we’re seeing an increase because there are refined procedures that give more natural, better results,” Dr. Singer explains. “And the stigma of having cosmetic surgery is essentially going away.”
What’s Different About a Male Facelift?
Facelifts are all about taking years off your face by providing a fresh, naturally lifted look. But the details do change depending on if the patient is male or female.
“While both desire a rejuvenated appearance, most men strongly desire a rejuvenated neckline,” explains Dr. Rowe. “Men also want to maintain a strong masculine jawline. Also you have to instruct men that with a facelift, the hair-bearing cheek tissue is sometimes moved to behind the ear, and they have to shave behind their ear or undergo treatment to remove the hair behind their ear.”
How Much Does a Facelift Cost?
The average cost of a facelift in 2023 was $11,395, up from 2022’s average of $9,281.
