4 Popular Aesthetic Treatments for Men

While it might seem like men who really care about their appearance and aesthetic maintenance are the minority, industry trends are projecting otherwise. Today, more than half of all male consumers around the world consider their looks to be important or very important and with this shift comes a growing interest in cosmetic treatments for men. In fact, almost a third of men report that they’re “extremely likely” to consider getting a cosmetic procedure done, according to a 2017 survey by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS).

Here, we highlight four of the most common aesthetic treatments for men, including a couple notes about how treatment providers may customize treatments to ensure a more masculine appearance, alongside optimal results. Keep in mind that this is just the beginning. There are many more treatments available that can better target unique concerns, but the first step is to reach out to a treatment professional and book that first consultation appointment.

Top Aesthetic Treatments for Men

“Brotox” and Injectables

Neurotoxin injections are a popular option among both men and women, and a common starting point for those interested in cosmetic treatment touch-ups. Among men specifically, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that the number of botulinum toxin (Botox) filler injections for male patients rose 381% from 2000 to 2018, with soft tissue filler injections rising 101% in the same period. This growing popularity of Botox among men has led to these treatments sometimes being referred to as “Brotox.”

Generally speaking, injectables utilize chemical substances, administered through the use of a needle, that help to support muscle mass, smoothen wrinkles, and restore lost volume, resulting in a firmer, smoother, more youthful appearance. Because males tend to have greater muscle mass compared to females, as well as other differences in skin structure, responses to injectables may not appear as dramatic in a male patient as it might in a female. In fact, one study suggests just 33% of men experience an impactful response compared to 83% of women. For this reason, male patients may require a greater amount of injectables to reach an ideal aesthetic goal, and the more that is required to achieve the desired outcome, the more the treatment will cost. Practitioners will also consider typical male facial structures when administering neurotoxins to ensure a more masculine appearance and proportions between the upper and lower face.

Hair Restoration

If baldness, patchy or thinning hair, or a receding hairline are a concern for you, you’re not alone. For 60% of men, hair loss is considered a significant aesthetic concern. While hair restoration solutions date back to 1550 BC, more recent developments in hair restoration technologies are opening up more minimally invasive and effective solutions for men (and women, for that matter). In fact, the latest advances in hair loss treatments are motivating more male patients to opt into these types of procedures, with RealSelf.com reporting hair transplant options as the second most-researched cosmetic treatment for men last year.

Currently, the gold standard in hair restoration treatments is the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) method. Using this method, the treatment provider extracts individual hair follicles from the back or sides of the head using a specialized device and then implants them in the area where more hair growth is desired. In comparison to the previously more popular Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) method, FUE doesn’t leave behind any linear scarring (FUT requires a strip of hair follicles to be removed from the scalp and separated into smaller units), involves minimal discomfort, and typically achieves more natural-looking results.

Adding to the FUE transplant method, the NeoGraft® hair restoration system uses controlled pneumatic pressure to more smoothly and gently extract hairs, ensuring follicles are more likely to survive implantation while providing you, the patient, with greater comfort during the process and minimal downtime afterward. This method also offers you greater freedom in the hairstyles you choose post-treatment, minimizing the impact hair restoration treatments may otherwise have on your schedule or social life.

Hair Removal

While some men are looking to add hair, others are searching for solutions to remove it. In contrast to women’s hair removal treatments that most often aim for a smooth, hair-free outcome, hair removal treatments for males may be customized to thin hair or achieve a completely smooth look based on your personal preferences. Some of the top trending treatment areas for hair removal for males are the back, chest, legs, groin, underarms, back of neck, or around the eyebrows. 

Depending on your aesthetic goals, there are two leading hair removal options your treatment provider may recommend: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or diode laser hair removal treatments. 

IPL hair removal treatments utilize a pulsed spectrum of light to deliver energy deep below the skin’s surface, targeting melanin in the hair follicles where light energy is transferred to heat energy. This destroys the follicle structure and prevents future hair growth. Because IPL utilizes broad-spectrum light that targets melanin, these treatments are ideal for those with a light to medium skin tone (darker skin has more melanin and therefore poses a higher risk) and darker or coarser hair, including chest hair, neck hair, and even below the belt.

In contrast, diode laser hair removal treatments utilize a single beam to target and destroy hair follicles. Featuring more targeted spot size selection alongside other customization controls, these treatments offer greater control when treating smaller, more detailed areas but can also make quick work of large treatment areas. Treatments can be customized to meet your individual needs and are a safer choice for those with darker skin tones and tanned skin. 

Regardless of which hair removal option you choose, multiple sessions will be recommended for optimal results. This is because hair follicles grow in three phases and either modality can only effectively treat hair in the growth (anagen) phase. As a general guideline, the American Academy of Dermatology reports that patients may expect an average 10-25% reduction in hair growth per treatment session.

Body Shaping

RealSelf.com has recently reported a pique in interest among men in body shaping treatments with tummy tucks, liposuction, and fat reduction falling among the top 10 most-researched treatments for men.

While males may utilize the same body shaping treatments as their female counterparts, treatment plans and outcomes may be customized to better meet male aesthetic goals. Utilizing advanced radio frequency-based technology, these face and body shaping treatments deliver heat energy deep below the skin’s surface to shrink fat cells and improve skin elasticity for a more defined, leaner-looking shape. For the most part, males place higher value on a well-defined jawline and a v-shaped taper in the upper body to the abdomen. For this reason, face and body shaping treatments for males will focus more often on the area under the chin, the chest, and the abdomen to improve the appearance of a more chiseled jawline and a firmer, more tapered body shape.

Taking the First Step

While the representation of male patients in medical aesthetics marketing and the opening of medical aesthetic clinics specializing in cosmetic treatments for men is growing, there are many more skilled treatment providers who understand the differences in how to customize treatments for male patients versus female patients. Booking a consultation can help both you and your treatment provider get a better understanding of your aesthetic goals and how those might be accomplished with the latest advanced technologies and non-surgical aesthetic treatments. To get started today, simply use the search field below to locate a certified treatment provider near you.