Trends Show More Men Seeking Cosmetic Enhancement
Feb 12, 2024
Cosmetic enhancements are becoming more commonly seen in those who identify as men; bridging the oft-perceived “gender gap” and directly challenging the assumption that plastic surgery appeals solely to those who identify as female.
Per the American Academy of Plastic Surgery, men are responsible for 8% of all global cosmetic procedures done — and many suspect that the number will continue to rise as new treatments that address common areas of concern among men come to market and gain popularity.
We’re diving into what’s behind the rise of men seeking cosmetic enhancement procedures and the inspirations behind the trend. We’ll also be exploring which procedures in particular have experienced significant growth among the male demographic in recent years.
When Did Male Plastic Surgery Become Popular?
Everyone has the capacity to desire to feel polished and put together — and plastic surgery is integral to helping many attain their highest level of confidence. While some speculate that men seeking plastic surgery as a passing fad, our research suggests it’s more than that. After all, men want to feel confident and celebrated based on their uniqueness too.
As is often the case behind gradual social acceptance of once-taboo topics, celebrities and influencers have normalized certain procedures (such as Joe Jonas’ openly discussing having Xeomin injectable treatments). Male plastic surgery has had an active market since the 1960s and 1970s — especially as new technology and techniques have improved.
But over the last decade in particular, the industry has seen a surge in male plastic surgery patients which the American Society of Plastic Surgeons attributes to several factors.
Lifespan and longevity. As the average lifespan has increased, our collective desire to stay (and look) younger for longer has, too.
Softening of cultural gender-based expectations. Without the barrier of rigid sex- and gender-based expectations seen in previous decades, more men feel free to pursue surgeries that enhance their confidence and self-perception. Investing in physical attractiveness is no longer viewed as a mostly feminine, and by contrast, “unmasculine,” pursuit.
A paradigm shift in how we view individuality. Hand-in-hand with gender- and sex-based freedom, our culture has been increasingly accepting of individuality and the desire to present in a way that makes us feel like our most confident, authentic selves.
While we all generally want to look our best, this shift may have encouraged men and others to invest in themselves in new committed ways, such as plastic surgery.
What are the Top 10 Male Plastic Surgeries?
As you might imagine, there are several kinds of plastic surgery procedures that are popular among men.
Here, we’ve cited the most recent statistics on the top 10 types of plastic surgeries men get.
Gynecomastia (breast reduction). This plastic surgery procedure removes breast tissue from the chest area, reducing protrusion and giving the pectoral area a flatter, more sculpted look. According to Statista, over 21,000 gynecomastia operations were performed in 2022 alone.
Liposuction. Over 19,000 cosmetic liposuction procedures were performed on men 2022. Liposuction removes body fat and is generally focused on key areas of the body such as thighs, abdominal area, derriere, and hips.
Blepharoplasty. Better known as cosmetic eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty is relatively common and has been gaining traction across the board in recent years. It was conducted 11,000+ times in 2022 and may rise as more celebrities use it to open up their eyes.
Rhinoplasty. This procedure, also referred to as a nose job, was pursued by nearly 20,000 men in 2020. Rhinoplasties are generally unique to the patient and can be done to lengthen, shorten, widen, or narrow one’s nose. They are often also commonly performed to correct alignment problems, which can impact breathing flow and sleep quality.
Abdominoplasty. An abdominoplasty, or “tummy tuck,” is the most commonly performed type of cosmetic procedure among all groups. It is also one of the top five procedures that men pursue, with nearly 20,000 completed in 2022 alone.
Neck lifts. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons notes that this treatment is growing in popularity, especially as global focus turns to skincare and youthful rejuvenation with a total body focus.
Fillers (all types). Many men are using fillers to combat signs of aging (such as wrinkles) or to plump up key areas of the face that lose volume over time such as the lips and cheeks.
Neurotoxins. Slightly different from fillers, neurotoxins work to smooth lines that only come out during expressions or speech. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology notes that this type of procedure is growing in popularity for the 10-20% of men currently pursuing nonsurgical cosmetic enhancement options.
Hair transplants. Used to combat natural hair thinning and baldness, hair transplants. Forbes notes that there are over 2,000 hair transplant procedures performed daily. Perhaps the poster child of male hair transplants, Elon Musk’s before and afters show that this procedure can make a huge difference in men’s look, making them decades younger in some cases. Hair transplants are one of the only procedures that men undergo more often than women, likely because overall, men lose more hair than women as they age.
Chin implants. The procedure has gained general popularity over the past decade; boasting a 76% increase in occurrences between 2010 and 2011 alone. Today, it is a popular way to boost men’s confidence, as chiseled jawlines are generally considered an attractive, masculine feature.
