Although society still places more pressure on women to look younger or more attractive, men aren’t immune to those pressures. In recent years, it’s become more socially acceptable for men to undergo plastic surgery and enhance their faces and bodies.

In 2011, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons noted that male patients were behind a recent uptick in surgical procedures. Between 2009 and 2010, the ASPS noted that the total number of procedures performed on men increased by 2 percent. But, some procedures saw a greater increase in the number of male patients, particularly facelift and liposuction.

Some men decide to undergo plastic surgery to better their chances in business or in their career. Typically, a strong jaw and prominent chin are signs of strength and masculinity, traits that may help men climb the corporate ladder. Another common reason men decide to have plastic surgery is purely aesthetic: They want to look more like they did when they were younger.

Middle-aged men who are more likely to be fathers are responsible for the surge in surgeries for male patients. These men might choose to undergo liposuction or a necklift to restore at least some of their youthful looks. In those cases, the reason for surgery is similar to the reasons some women choose to undergo “mommy makeovers” after having children.

No matter a man’s reason for surgery, some procedures are more popular and more commonly requested than others.

No. 1 Rhinoplasty

According to the ASPS, rhinoplasty was the most common plastic surgery procedure among men in 2013. More than 57,000 nose-reshaping surgeries were performed on male patients last year and men accounted for 26 percent of all rhinoplasty surgeries.

Interestingly enough, although the surgery is still the most common procedure among men, its rates among male patients has been declining. The number of men who had rhinoplasty last year was 7 percent lower than the number who had the surgery in 2012. Between 2000 and 2013, the number of male patients who’ve had a nose-reshaping procedure has fallen 62 percent.

No. 2 Eyelid Surgery

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, was the second most commonly performed surgery on men in 2013. More than 30,000 procedures were performed, up 5 percent from 2012. Eyelid surgery is performed to reduce puffiness, bagginess, and droopiness in either the upper or lower eyelids, or in some cases, in both. The recovery time after eyelid surgery is typically on the short side, and most men are able to get back to work after about a week. Since the incisions are small or placed on the inside of the lid, there’s minimal scarring.

No 3. Liposuction

Nearly 24,000 liposuction procedures were performed on men in 2013, making it the third most common surgery. Typically, men who decide to undergo liposuction, or the surgical removal of excess fat, are targeting their abdomen, hips, or thighs. Some men also decide to have neckliposuction.  As men age, fat deposits in the neck can lead to a double chin or the loss of a prominent jaw. Liposuction in the area restores a strong jawline. The surgery is intended for men who are at a healthy weight already, but who are dealing with extra fat in stubborn areas.

No. 4 Breast Reduction

Gynecomastia, or enlargement of the breast tissue, can occur in men at any age and can cause sufficient embarrassment and self-esteem issues. More than 22,000 breast-reduction surgeries took place last year, up 11 percent from the year before and up 13 percent from 2000.

No. 5 Facelift

Ten percent of the plastic surgeries performed on men in 2013 were facelifts, making it the fifth most popular procedure. The number of facelifts performed on men increased by 7 percent between 2012 and 2013.

The results from a facelift are usually long lasting, with many patients seeing results for a decade or longer. Since a facelift focuses on rejuvenating the lower portion of the face, it can be and is often combined with other surgical procedures. For example, a man who wants all-encompassing facial rejuvenation might decide to undergo both an eyelid lift and a facelift. A man can also decide to undergo a facelift with a chin implant or neck lift to better enhance the jawline.

Non-Surgical Procedures

Although male patients are largely responsible for the uptick in surgical procedures performed, many of them are also enjoying the benefits of less invasive, non-surgical options, such as injections. More male patients had minimally invasive procedures performed in 2013 than surgical procedures.

Soft tissue fillers, such as Juvederm or Radiesse were more common among male patients than Botox or similar injections. The number of male patients who underwent injections with a hyaluronic acid filler in 2013 increased by 13 percent from 2012 while the number of men who had Botox or similar in 2013 fell by 13 percent from the previous year.

If you are a man who’s thinking about plastic surgery or a minimally invasive procedure, whether it’s to get ahead in the office or to boost your self-confidence, contact Dr. Kyle Choe at The Choe Center in Virginia Beach. Dr. Choe can discuss your options with you and help you decide which is the best one for you. To schedule a consultation, call 757.389.5850 today.