“Brotox” Coming to Texas
People assume women are the only ones who seek cosmetic treatments. That can no longer be said as we are seeing more men seeking cosmetic treatments. According to a survey published in late 2016 by the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the proliferation of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures has increased demand for nonsurgical procedures for men by 44 percent since 2011. The most popular treatment sought by men is Botox, followed by Juvederm, a hyaluronic acid dermal filler. It’s estimated that more than 4 million injections were performed on men in 2015.
A common and undesirable effect of the aging process on the face is the creation of an angry or scowling expression. The process and effects are the same for men and women. But while women tend to be more ready for surgery, men tend to prefer nonsurgical options—ie injectables. A common reason is many men who are interested in cosmetic treatments are also still working and may not have time for recovery.
Why do men seek cosmetic treatments? While many women elect cosmetic treatments to look younger and/or increase their attractiveness, many men realize looking younger helps maintain or increase their competitiveness in the work force. It’s been shown in studies that, in general, younger people tend to get hired more frequently than older people. Men find themselves competing with younger colleagues for jobs and businesses, and many choose to have cosmetic treatments to help them compete looking younger and better.
Though maintaining competitive edge in work is a primary reason men seek cosmetic treatments, it’s also important to note that the rise in social media’s popularity has also contributed to men being more aware of their flaws. The influence of celebrities and social media on the public’s decisions to have facial cosmetic treatments is real and powerful.
Botox is the most common nonsurgical treatment in men. It’s a great treatment for the facial wrinkles that contribute to men looking tired and / or angry. Botox is quick, easy and safe. Men can easily get injections at a quick clinic appointment and return to work. By relaxing the forehead and corrugator muscles, men can get a smoother (younger looking) forehead and reduce the angry 11’s.
By looking less angry and tired, men improve their appearance. Another popular area men seek to improve is the deepening nasolabial folds. These can make one appear sad, tired and old. Hyaluronic acid fillers, like Juvederm or Restylane, can effectively soften these wrinkles and make men look less tired and younger. Another good option is the fill the cheek with Voluma, which can also achieve a subtle midface lift. Like Botox, these injections can be quickly administered in a clinic appointment. Bruising and swelling are usually minimal, and men can return to work quickly.
Recently, the industry has also seen a surprising increase in the demand for Kybella. Kybella, deoxycholic acid, is a nonsurgical way to destroy fat cells. With the popularity of selfies, more people (men included), are more self conscious of their double chin. Kybella offers men another easy and quick nonsurgical treatment to improve their facial appearance.
Two typically male issues of the face are the eyelids and the neck. Though nonsurgical injections may be options for certain cases, most cases will require surgical treatments to achieve the results one wants. It is important that you consult a board certified facial plastic surgeon to discuss what the best option is for your particular concern(s).
For more information about botox treatments in Texas, please contact Dr. Kenneth Yu Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in San Antonio.
