Growing Numbers of Men Combat Aging Faces

Today, more than ever before, American men are undergoing facial rejuvenation to continue to fight aging. Many are looking for a quick turn around so that they can swiftly return to work. It was once unthinkable for men to admit to having a little work done – but not anymore. Fortunately, there are many facial cosmetic procedure options – ranging from simple, non-surgical treatments such as chemical peels and Botox to surgical procedures, such as rhinoplasty and facelifts – that can help reduce the signs of aging and improve a man’s appearance and self image.

“It’s no surprise that men are eager to look younger and more fit,” said Ira D. Papel, MD, president of the AAFPRS. “It’s promising to see that like women, men are taking advantage of the many benefits that these procedures have to offer.” The 2005 survey reinforced that American men have an ever increasing interest in the benefits offered by cosmetic procedures. The 2005 survey shows a nine percent increase in the number of men who underwent non-surgical procedures. The most notable since 2004 was a 417 percent boost in the volume of men who had had ablative skin resurfacing. Other practices included fat injections with a 47 percent increase, hair transplants commanding a 17 percent increase and microdermabrasion yielding a 22 percent increase from the previous year.

Women Looking As Good As They Feel

The survey detailed that women, not surprisingly, also want to maintain their good looks and are opting for facial cosmetic procedures. The 2005 report illustrated that 79 percent of all surgical procedures and 80 percent of all non-surgical procedures were performed on women. The number one ranked procedure on women in 2005 was lip augmentation, followed by fat injections with microdermabrasion earning third place. Other trendy procedures among women in 2005 were hair transplants (43 percent increase from 2004) and laser resurfacing (12 percent increase from 2004).

Revitalizing Men and Women

The study demonstrated significant growth of usage of the ever-popular wrinkle reducer Botox, which increased 162 percent since 2001. Last year, there were approximately 601,000 Botox procedures performed.* In 2005, fat injections amplified by 56 percent – a 47 percent increase in men and a 64 percent increase in women. Laser skin resurfacing, including deep peels, laser resurfacing and dermabrasion, were also very chic in 2005; the number of procedures performed grew by 51 percent in men and 64 percent in women. Microdermabrasion, another sought after non-surgical procedure, had a 17 percent increase over the previous year.

The report also featured a notable increase in scar revisions, which grew nine percent in 2005. The survey revealed that non-surgical procedures continue to be a major attraction this year for many patients who were

looking to rejuvenate their complexions or maintain youthful appearances. In 2005, AAFPRS members described the most popular cosmetic surgeries as blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery with approximately 108,600 projected surgeries, and rhinoplasty or nose surgery with 97,000 estimated surgeries.*

“Facial plastic surgeons are seeing more and more patients who want a line-free, restored youthful appearance,” commented Dr. Papel. “By looking at these statistics, it is more apparent that facial plastic surgery has become a norm for both genders. Today, patients have many choices to safely reach their personal goal due in large part to the continuous increase in availability of non-surgical treatments for an aging face.”

Past Year Trends

Several noticeable trends were confirmed by the Academy’s annual survey. Two out of five of the surveyed surgeons have seen facial plastic surgery given as a gift in the past year. Forty-one percent of the surgeons reported that teens are undergoing cosmetic surgery, while another noteworthy trend is the increase in couples undergoing cosmetic surgery together (34 percent of surgeons identified this trend). Nearly equal to this is the number of mothers and daughters refreshing their looks together and undergoing cosmetic surgery (21 percent of surgeons identified this trend). Not surprising, the majority of surgeons said that patients were not requesting specific celebrity features when they came in for cosmetic surgery, but rather viewed themselves as individuals. Only 13 percent of patients requested a celebrity facial feature. Also significant was the fact that this year’s survey showed marked growth in patient education; four in five of the surgeons have seen a significant increase in patient knowledge regarding plastic surgery, including different procedures available and patient safety. Finally, nearly one-half of surgeons have seen patients traveling abroad to undergo cosmetic surgery and then come into their practices with complications or re-dos.

“We continue to see about half (51 percent) of patients having multiple procedures performed by the same doctor in the same year,” reported Dr. Papel. “This may reflect the continued strength of non-surgical procedures that typically require an ongoing regime such as Botox, chemical peels and fat injections.” The average cost of many procedures still remains in the low thousands, or even the hundreds of dollars. This is certainly an affordable personal improvement, compared to the cost of a home entertainment center, some jewelry or even a new car.

Surgeons estimate that 51 percent of the procedures performed in 2005 took place at private offices, and nearly that many (46 percent) at a free-standing surgical center. One-third were performed at hospitals (33 percent) and much fewer at medical spas (20 percent).

Procedures by Ethnicity

This year’s survey highlighted substantial growth – both long term and over the past year – within the African-American, Hispanic and Asian-American patient communities. When compared to the other facial cosmetic procedures offered, the 2005 survey revealed that African Americans were most likely to get rhinoplasty or nose surgery (65 percent) as were Hispanics (52 percent). Asian-Americans were most likely receiving blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery (50 percent), while Caucasians opted almost equally between blepharoplasty and rhinoplasty (37 percent versus 32 percent).

A Look Ahead

What does the future hold for facial plastic surgery? Responding surgeons predict that patient safety will continue to be a focal point in cosmetic surgery, more fillers will be introduced to the market and there will be an increase in procedures among ethnic populations. Fifty-six percent of surgeons agree that the popularity of facial plastic surgery in reality television will subside. Seventy-two percent of the surgeons will offer wellness and lifestyle techniques for patients, and fifty-four percent report that medical spas will become more popular.

“Each year this study is conducted, we gain more and more insight not only about the most popular procedures, but also a better understanding of what patients are truly seeking and thinking when it comes to facial plastic surgery,” said Dr. Papel. “AAFPRS surgeons are face specialists who are dedicated to helping patients feel better about themselves and information from member survey’s like this certainly benefit the patient.”

Dr. Papel and the AAFPRS remind all patients to make informed decisions when it comes to undergoing any facial

plastic surgery procedures. Most facial plastic surgeons are board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery—a board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS). Many AAFPRS members are also board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery, deemed equivalent to an ABMS Board in every state that has reviewed its credentials to determine such equivalency.

About the AAFPRS:

The AAFPRS is the world’s largest association of facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons with more than 2,800 members – whose cosmetic reconstructive surgery focuses on the face, head and neck. Academy fellows are board-certified and subscribe to a code of ethics. In addition, the AAFPRS provides consumers with free information and brochures and a list of qualified facial plastic surgeons in their area by calling 1-800-332-FACE or by visiting the AAFPRS Web site, www.FACEMD.org.

© 2006 HealthNewsDigest.com