‘Bro-tox’ boom: Demand up for nonsurgical options
According to a survey published in late 2016 by the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the proliferation of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures has increased demand for nonsurgical procedures for men by 44 percent since 2011.
Most popular among the injectables for men are Botox (botulinum toxin) and Juvederm, a hyaluronic acid filler. Botox is the most used procedure, with more than 4 million injections counted in 2015.
The aging process affects the face by creating a scowling expression — and there’s no difference between men and women, but the treatment for these problems often requires more of the injectables for men.
Michael, an almost-60 salesman, said before he began visiting his cosmetic surgeon for injections, he was losing his confidence as well as his competitive edge.
“But I didn’t want to go through any surgery, mainly because I didn’t have time for the recovery,” he said.
Social media is another reason more men are using cosmetic injectables. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) reported social media makes everyone more aware of their flaws. “Whether you call it the ‘Kardashian Effect’ or ‘Selfie Mania,’ the influence of celebrities and social media on the public’s decisions to have facial cosmetic procedures is real and powerful,” the report said.
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, M.D., a board-certified cosmetic, facial, and eye plastic surgeon practicing primarily in Beverly Hills, California, is seeing more 55-plus men.
“Like women, men are increasingly concerned about looking how they feel and nobody wants to have a tired-looking face,” Steinsapir said.
Are these men being prodded by their more injection-experienced partners? Steinsapir sees more men coming of their own volition.
“Remember, too, we all have to operate in a youth culture and often are competing with younger colleagues for jobs and business, so men have become more aware they can improve their appearance,” he said.
Two typically male issues of the face are the eyelids and the neck, both of which can be addressed with surgery. Nonsurgical procedures can address changes around the eyes, mouth and loss of volume in the cheek area, and all can be improved with injectable services.
The surgeon also uses his own, patented Microdroplet Lift, the result of clinical research he conducted beginning in 2005. “I just wasn’t happy with the results we were getting with the existing approach,” he said.
The new method of administering cosmetic botulinum toxin (Botox, Dysport and Xeomin) he developed has conquered the side effects he had been seeing with standard protocols.
With the new, patented Microdroplet Lift (www.lidlift.com), there typically is a low number of side effects while lifting the brow, softening the pinched effect between the brows and lifting the forehead without encountering the frozen effect.