Men are no longer sitting on the sidelines when it comes to plastic surgery. According to new data from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), 92 percent of surgeons report treating male patients. The numbers confirm what’s already obvious—guys are getting more comfortable with aesthetic tweaks and seeking treatments that enhance their features without overdoing it.
Featured Experts
- Dr. Kimberly J. Lee is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, CA
- Dr. Lee Ann Klausner is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in New York
- Dr. Jeffrey Wise is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Wayne, NJ
What Men Are Getting Done
Women may still dominate the aesthetic market, but male plastic surgery trends are closing the gap. Blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty and facelifts top the list of in-demand procedures, but there’s also growing interest in less obvious tweaks like buccal fat removal and otoplasty. “The self-care movement has invited men and women to embrace long-term well-being,” says New York facial plastic surgeon Lee Ann Klausner, MD. Male patients, she says, want to, “look as good as they feel.”
There’s also a big push for a more sculpted jawline. Neck treatments such as submental liposuction are something Wayne, NJ facial plastic surgeon Jeffrey Wise, MD says is one of his most common procedures to perform on male patients. The trend points to a growing interest in sharper, more structured facial features that still look natural.
Why Hair Remains a Priority
Hair loss is still the biggest pain point for many men. “Men may feel more pressure to maintain a full head of hair due to cultural norms and expectations around masculinity, youthfulness and attractiveness,” says Beverly Hills, CA facial plastic surgeon Kimberly Lee, MD.
With noninvasive treatments improving, more men are getting proactive about hair restoration. “There is a higher incidence of male pattern baldness than female pattern baldness and the men may wait to do something about it. Now they do not have to wait,” says Dr. Klausner. She points to TED, a noninvasive treatment that uses ultrasound energy to help hair growth serums absorb more effectively into the scalp. “No pain, no numbing required and good results if you still have some hair,” she adds.
Dr. Wise agrees that men are acting earlier when it comes to hair loss. ” With a wider range of solutions now available, efforts to remedy hair loss have become extremely popular.”
The Rise of ‘Brotox’
Injectables aren’t just for women anymore. Whether it’s the rise of Zoom culture, social media or just a general shift in attitudes, more men are opting for injectables. “With the advent of selfies and social media, more men are turning to Botox and fillers,” says Dr. Lee.
For many, it’s also about staying competitive. “Society tends to place a strong emphasis on the importance of youth, particularly in the workplace,” Dr. Wise explains. “Many men are seeking rejuvenating procedures like hair transplants as well as minimally invasive procedures such as injectables and lasers to restore their look.”
The experts we spoke to all said the same. Most of their male patients aren’t looking for major changes—just subtle tweaks that make them look like the best version of themselves. “With a focus on staying youthful and preventative measures for aging, these noninvasive treatments provide a convenient and discrete option,” says Dr. Lee.
