Plastic surgery has been a go-to option for women experiencing insecurities about their physical appearance. But it’s no longer just women seeking cosmetic procedures.
As the stigma around male cosmetic surgery decreases, more men are turning toward plastic surgery to address their aesthetic insecurities and boost their confidence. Here are some of the top procedures for men’s plastic surgery in Burbank, CA, of 2023—plus a few non-surgical options, as well.
The Changing Societal Perceptions
Plastic surgery in Burbank, CA, was once considered an option only for women. Societal standards have long dictated that women are the ones who ‘beautify’ themselves, while men should have no interest in such things.
However, times are changing, and male plastic surgery is on the rise. It’s still far from being 50/50, but plastic surgeons are refining their techniques for male operations due to increasing demand.
This normalization of male plastic surgery has been underway for many years. While celebrities and influencers impacted the movement, there has also been a societal shift in recognizing male insecurities. It’s no longer taboo for men to feel unsatisfied with their looks—and now it’s more common for them to get procedures to improve their self-confidence.
Top Surgical Procedures for Men in 2023
With the reduced stigma around men wanting to improve their appearance, there has been a significant rise in male surgical procedures. Here’s a quick look at some procedures that are becoming more popular with men.
Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping)
Rhinoplasty is a high-demand surgery for both men and women, largely because the nose is such a prominent facial feature. Its central location just enhances any minor flaw and offsets facial symmetry.
Structural nose problems are also quite common, with 75% of the population experiencing a deviated septum. When severe, issues like a deviated septum can affect breathing and overall quality of life, making nose surgery a medical necessity.
While the specific process for a functional nose job differs slightly from an aesthetic procedure, both commonly fall under the category of rhinoplasty. And in 2020, over 65,100 men got a rhinoplasty, putting it in the number one position for male cosmetic surgical procedures.
Gynecomastia Surgery (Male Breast Reduction)
Gynecomastia surgery helps reduce enlarged or overdevelopment breast tissue in men. This abdominal tissue growth can result from many things, such as high levels of estrogen (particularly in puberty and aging adults), obesity, alcohol abuse, or underlying health conditions. The most common reasons, though, are hormonal imbalance and obesity.
Most cases of gynecomastia go away on their own as puberty ends or as people change their lifestyles and habits. However, patients with persistent overdevelopment of breast tissue may need medical assistance. A specialist may want to check for breast cancer or any other condition that could cause this growth. If the patient has a malignant growth, gynecomastia surgery is often required.
That said, many men get gynecomastia surgery for aesthetic reasons. Perhaps they lost a lot of weight, but the breast tissue remains. Or maybe the breasts never reduced after puberty, and they are struggling with self-confidence. Either way, this procedure has become the second most common cosmetic surgery in men, with nearly 22,500 operations occurring in 2021.
Liposuction
Male liposuction is on the rise, with nearly 31,000 operations in 2021 (compared to under 23,000 in 2020). This procedure removes stubborn fat pockets around the body, usually around the abdomen, back, and sides. Men often opt for liposuction to enhance their musculature, while women typically target areas around the hips and lower abdomen.
Liposuction can also target fat pockets in the breasts, offer more definition and perhaps even an alternative to gynecomastia surgery in men.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
As people age, their skin loses elasticity and collagen. The result is droopy, crepey skin, often around the cheeks, jowls, and eyes. While men and women both experience this, eyelid drooping is often much more prominent in men.
A blepharoplasty can help remove excess skin from the eyelids, thereby helping combat typical male aging signs. It can also help improve vision in more severe cases of eyelid drooping.
Since the male brow is flatter with usually more oval-shaped eyes (compared to the female’s almond shape), men need an experienced plastic surgeon to do a blepharoplasty. The surgeon must understand how to remove the excess skin while maintaining a natural, manly eye shape.
Height Lengthening
Much of the respect that men receive correlates with their height. A taller man generally demands more attention and is even more desired by potential heterosexual partners. In fact, a 2022 study found that women prefer men to be about 180 cm (5′ 10″) tall when the average male height is about an inch shorter.
So what some people consider “short” is often quite normal. However, that doesn’t stop the social and even laboral discrimination from peers or the persistent feeling of inadequacy. An increasing number of men have begun to seek height-lengthening treatment to feel more confident in their own skin.
While traditionally used to treat limb deformities and inconsistencies, elective height-lengthening procedures have become more popular in recent years. This procedure is much more intensive than others on this list and often costs much more.
It involves cutting the thigh bone and inserting metal rods. Using a remote control, the rod is then lengthened daily (only by about 1 millimeter) as new bone grows. The lengthening process takes several months, followed by surgery to remove the metal rods and extensive physical therapy. The result is three to six inches of height added to each leg.
Non-Surgical Treatments on the Rise
Just as surgical procedures are on the rise, so are non-surgical ones. They offer similar effects but without the risks of surgery and anesthesia.
Botox and Dermal Fillers
Botox and dermal fillers have been favorite non-surgical procedures for several years (for both men and women), and that trend is here to stay. Over 265,000 men got Botox in 2020, more than double the number of male patients for the second most popular non-surgical procedure (laser skin resurfacing).
While very similar, Botox and dermal fillers target facial rejuvenation differently. Botox stops muscles from receiving nerve signals, thereby relaxing the muscle and reducing lines and wrinkles. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, go under the skin—not into the muscle. These fillers help combat signs of aging, like skin sagging, by restoring fullness and enhancing facial contours.
CoolSculpting
Like liposuction, CoolSculpting targets stubborn areas of fat around the body. However, its minimally invasive approach is making it a popular surgical alternative. Instead of using surgery to remove the fat, CoolSculpting freezes fat cells to break them down. While it’s not an immediate fix, the fat cells typically reduce by about 20% over 4-6 months.
The Importance of Personalized Treatment Plans
Even though these are some of the hottest plastic surgery trends, it’s important not to jump on board too quickly. Just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean that it’s the right fit for you.
Instead, take some time to meet with a qualified plastic surgeon and discuss your options. Everyone is unique, meaning that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. An experienced surgeon understands that and can work with you to accommodate your personal needs and goals while also offering the safest and most effective solution.
Recovery and Post-Op Care
Male patients considering surgical procedures should enter the initial consultation with realistic expectations. Surgery may seem like a quick fix, but there is always some downtime required. The length of the recovery period depends on the procedure, but patients can expect to need at least a few weeks to recover—if not months to see the final results.
During that time, it’s critical for patients to follow all of the surgeon’s post-op care instructions. Not only do they help avoid complications like infections, but they also ensure the best, long-lasting results.
Conclusion
Men’s plastic surgery in Burbank, CA, has existed for many years. But its popularity has only recently skyrocketed. Thanks to the increase in demand, surgical techniques are becoming more refined and tailored to men’s needs, which results in more natural results.
If you’re considering plastic surgery, talk to an experienced surgeon today. They can explain several options—both surgical and non-surgical—that will help boost your confidence and enhance your appearance.
