Why Are More Men Getting Cosmetic Surgery?
Why Are More Men Getting Cosmetic Surgery?
Picture a plastic surgery patient. Maybe you pictured someone who is affluent, or a person with a scar they want removed. Did you picture a man? You might think that mostly women pursue plastic surgery options, but a recent industry report has found that men – and in particular, millennial men – are getting more plastic surgery than before. Here, we’ll look at why.
Who’s Getting More Plastic Surgery?
According to a recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 31 percent of men assessed themselves as being “extremely likely” to consider a surgical or non-surgical cosmetic procedure.
Most of the men who said they were extremely likely to pursue a procedure were young. The largest percentage of them – 58 percent – were between 25 and 34 years old. The next largest percentage – 34 percent – were between 18 and 24.
Why Are More Men Getting Plastic Surgery?
While the study noted above looked into what age groups of men are pursuing plastic surgery and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, it also examined their motivations.
They Want to Feel Better About Themselves
The number-one reason for pursuing cosmetic procedures cited by men in this survey was wanting to feel better about themselves. And despite messages extolling the virtues of self-acceptance, research has linked undergoing plastic surgery with better self-esteem.
Dr. Fred G. Fedok, the president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, believes that social media may be one of the forces driving the trend. He explains that, thanks to social media and the rise of the selfie, people are often more aware of how they look from different angles, and this can motivate them to change what they don’t like.
There’s Pressure to Look Good
It’s Safer Than Ever
While a procedure for improving your appearance might be tempting for anybody, in the past, many people avoiding cosmetic procedures due to risk. However, cosmetic procedures are now safer than ever. Part of this is due to the fact that many procedures can now be done using lasers and other non-invasive methods. Plus, newer laser and non-invasive techniques are more effective in fewer treatments, making them more efficient and economically feasible.
For those who were previously on the fence about these procedures because they saw them as risky (or did not want to take on a risk for a non-essential procedure), the improved safety combined with more efficient treatment methods may be enough to convince them to undergo a cosmetic procedure.
While different people have different reasons for pursuing plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures, those who pursue these procedures often find that they feel better about themselves. Rather than seeing a procedure as an unnecessary expense, they see it as an investment in themselves.
