Men now paying high price for beauty

07/18/2007 04:55 AM

By: Ivanhoe Newswire

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- It's no surprise that men in the entertainment industry have long used cosmetic procedures to keep them looking young and fresh. But doctors say, now, regular men are following in their footsteps.

Gary Kuncl isn't a metrosexual or a gym rat. He's just a normal guy and dad to a brand new baby.

"Trying to make myself look a little younger. I've got a young wife, and nothing wrong with trying to better your appearance," said Gary.

Last year he had his first cosmetic procedure -- Thermage. Now he's back for Botox, to get rid of frown lines between his eyes, and Restylane to fill in the hollow areas.

Gary is part of a growing trend. Cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Dale Isaacson has seen about a 20-percent increase in men's cosmetic procedures over the last five years.

"The baby boomer population is aging. Second, I think the stigma for having cosmetic procedures is eroding," explained Isaacson.

Doctors said most often men want to reduce wrinkles and lines around their mouth, get rid of crows feet and eliminate dark, hollow areas under the eyes. These procedures often require higher doses of cosmetic fillers and/or Botox than they do for women and have to be administered differently because men have thicker skin and their faces are shaped differently.

"Men have stronger muscles, and it takes more Botox to relax those muscles than it does with women," Isaacson said.

Gary leaves with a slightly red forehead, but the hollow circles under his eyes are already disappearing and he considers that a good investment.

"If you don't spend your money on your appearance, you're going to spend it on the golf course or something else -- and this lasts longer," he said.

Doctors said another reason men are having more cosmetic procedures is because a lot of treatments are quick and can be done on a lunch hour, rather than requiring surgery.

Research summary

BACKGROUND: Cosmetic surgery was used long ago in ancient India. Physicians were utilizing skin grafts as early as the 8th century BC! However, since surgery of any kind, especially those involving the head or face, come with many risks, cosmetic surgery did not become a commonplace until the 19th century. The first cosmetic surgery performed in the United States was a cleft palate operation in 1827. Physicians started practicing modern plastic surgery techniques for reconstructive purposes on soldiers with facial injuries during World War I. Plastic surgery has become very popular in recent years; almost 11.5 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in 2005.

MEN AND PLASTIC SURGERY: The number of men electing to get cosmetic surgery increased by 44 percent from 2000 to 2005. Many reported they saw a big difference in their wives’ appearances, and then decided to get surgery themselves. Another reason some men give for choosing to get surgery is to keep up with the young men in their offices. Other men might decide to get surgery when re-entering the dating pool after a divorce. The most popular plastic surgery procedures among men are:
• Botox -- 313,519 men elected this non-surgical procedure in 2005, a 233-percent increase from 2000. The average price in the United States for this procedure is $363.
• Microdermabrasion -- 201,051 procedures were performed on men in 2005, up 134 percent from 2000. The average price in the United States for this procedure is $177.
• Laser Hair Removal -- 173,387 men had laser hair removal to remove hair and reduce hair growth, sometimes permanently. This was a 30-percent increase from 2000. The average price in the United States for this procedure is $406.
• Chemical Peel -- 108,551 men went opted for this treatment in an attempt for smoother skin. Surprisingly, this number was a 46-percent decrease from 2000. The average price in the United States for this procedure is $628.
• Nose Reshaping (Rhinoplasty) -- 99,681 men went for this plastic surgery procedure in 2005, a 34-percent decrease from 2000. The average price in the United States for this procedure is $3,511.
• Hair Transplantation -- 39,245 procedures were performed on men in 2005, a 3-percent decrease from 2000. The average price in the United States for this procedure is $4,755.
• Laser Skin Resurfacing -- 37,999 men underwent this cosmetic procedure in 2005, up 76 percent from 2000. The average price in the United States for this procedure is $1,977.
• Liposuction -- 35,673 men went to their surgeons for liposuction in 2005, a 31-percent decrease from 2000. The average price in the United States for this procedure is $2,323.
• Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) -- 32,988 men underwent eyelid lifts in 2005, down 43 percent from 2000. The average price in the United States for this procedure is $2,534.

SOURCE: Forbes.com

Source : http://news14.com/content/headlines/584935/men-now-paying-high-price-for-beauty/Default.aspx