Teenage - Midlife
The most common procedure for men of all ages, but particularly in the teens and midlife, is rhinoplasty . The main concerns are maintaining a strong profile and good tip projection . The thickness of male skin calls for a different technique from that required for nasal refinement in women. Structure--cartilage, grafts--may have to be added to enhance the profile. Occasionally, chin augmentation may be required to create balance and present a more masculine profile.
Rhinoplasty is a simple and effective operation. In a successful outcome, the patient will look much better without anyone knowing the reason why. Because of the thickness of male skin, it normally takes somewhat longer for a man's final result to materialize than a woman's. A year or more after surgery is not uncommon.
Liposuction is another procedure that is popular with both teenagers and older men. The most frequent target areas are the flanks, or "love handles," and the lower abdomen. This "pot belly" can be difficult to lose by exercising since the type of fat in these areas is six times harder to burn off than normal fat. Most men quit in frustration. The good news is that fat suctioned from problem areas does not grow back in those regions. With good nutrition and regular exercise, a healthy physique can be maintained.
As teenagers, some men can have enlarged breasts, a condition called gynecomastia. When this occurs in younger males who are not overweight, there may actually be some glandular tissue below the nipple. This can be removed during a liposuction procedure, with a minor incision halfway around the nipple. The gland is then extracted and sent to the lab for analysis. The results of this procedure are excellent, with minimal scarring, thus removing a serious cosmetic concern in adolescent males.
In the small percentage of cases in which there is a lot of excess skin, the skin envelope can be reduced with an incision that goes all the way around the nipple. This result, too, is very cosmetic in nature.
Overweight men of any age may be affected by gynecomastia. They should first try to correct the problem with diet and exercise. Residual fat can then be easily suctioned out with tiny incisions.
Gynecomastia can be quite embarrassing to males, but it is very effectively corrected with these safe, ambulatory surgical procedures performed under local anesthesia and sedation. Recovery is rapid: typically, normal activity can be resumed in less than five days. Exercise can be added about four weeks after surgery.
Acne
While adult onset acne is more prevalent in women, it can still be a cause for serious concern in some men, especially in the teen years. Read more about acne here.
Midlife
In the late fourth and early fifth decades, the eyebrows and eyelids may droop. If the problem is caught before the skin loses elasticity, an eyelid corrective procedure can be done in an outpatient setting, allowing a return to work in seven to ten days. The results are extremely natural looking, and the rejuvenating effect will extend beyond the area of treatment, erasing a tired look from the whole face. Men seek very natural results that can be explained as the result of taking a vacation or weight loss. Good cosmetic surgery never gives away its secrets.
Facelifts in men are growing in popularity as men work longer. Their wish is to look younger and less tired. Thick male skin and receding hairlines pose some special issues. But if the problem is addressed before the aging process has advanced too far, surgeons can use a hidden, short-scar approach that does not disturb the hairline at all. Once healing is complete, the rejuvenated face will be as expressive as it was before the surgery. New developments in suture materials, particularly Gore-Tex, allow for much more long-lasting facelifts, with virtually no complications.
Botox
The benefits of Botox for correcting frown lines are equally visible in both men and women. Men, however, have more powerful muscles of facial expression. This may necessitate some differences in application, such as using higher doses of Botox or combining Botox with fillers like Restylane. The improvement can be dramatic, with very natural-looking results. Botox and Restylane have exemplary safety records, making them the most popular non-surgical aesthetic medical procedures.
Laser Hair Removal
This procedure is advantageous for men, as they are not likely to undergo waxing or cream depilation. The most frequent areas of hair removal are the nose, ears, back, chest, and arms. These areas may require several treatments, but the final result is virtually permanent, with very little regrowth. The laser can cause pigment changes in darker skin tones, so a consultation with a trained clinician is advisable, to assess suitability for the procedure.
For more information on procedures and treatments for men, please contact
Dr. Romita at 212-772-3220.
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