Treatments for Men
Cosmetic self-consciousness is no longer an exclusively female concern. Aesthetic procedures for men have increased tremendously in recent years as male patients take a more active interest in their appearance. As men increasingly try to look their best, dermatological services can boost self-esteem and help men feel more comfortable in their own skin. Read below to learn about some of the most common rejuvenation options for men.
Top 5 Minimally Invasive Procedures for Men
- BOTOX® for excessive wrinkling in brow and forehead
- Laser Hair Removal for back of neck and shoulders
- Vbeam for rosacea and facial veins
- Chemical Peels for sun damage
- Fillers for lost volume and nasolabial folds
Liposuction is now an extremely popular cosmetic procedure among male patients. Men commonly pursue liposuction to treat fat deposits in the neck, chest, abdomen and “love handles.” Not surprisingly, most men are genetically predisposed to accumulate fat in these areas, making these problems spots difficult to treat exclusively through diet and exercise. Healthy, relatively active men make the best candidates for liposuction, increasingly the likelihood of a successful result. Technological developments in liposuction treatments have helped make liposuction an even more viable option for patients, reducing the dangers of the procedure. Tumescent liposuction, the safest kind of liposuction, uses advanced technology and a local anesthetic to decrease side effects and downtime, making the procedure ideal for the active male patient.
A growing number of men have turned to BOTOX® and Dysport® to confront facial lines and wrinkles. Today, men comprise about 6% of all BOTOX® patients. Both BOTOX® and Dysport® treat lines and wrinkles by temporarily relaxing over-active facial muscles. The most common male treatment areas are the forehead creases, frown lines and crow’s feet. Men particularly benefit from BOTOX® and Dysport™ as a means to improve the skin’s appearance without looking cosmetically obvious. Therefore, physicians using BOTOX® and Dysport® generally aim for subtle improvements that are not overly feminizing. In addition, these procedures are quick and minimally invasive, with almost no downtime. As male facial muscles sometimes require more injections than female muscles, it’s especially important for men to find an experienced injector who is sensitive to men’s distinctive anatomical characteristics.
Men averse to the “David Hasselhoff” look often invest a significant amount of time and energy shaving off unwanted body hair. Fortunately, laser hair removal offers a time-saving solution for creating a cleanly shaven look. Almost any form of body hair can undergo laser removal, but men most commonly treat the chest, back and neck. Treatment times vary depending on the area, with neck procedures lasting about 10 minutes and chest procedures needing between 20 and 40 minutes. Permanent hair reduction generally requires about 3 to 5 sessions, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Laser hair removal can also help men suffering from psuedofolliculitis barbae, commonly known as razor bumps. Laser treatments target psuedofollicultisis barbae at its source, removing hair that irritates the follicle.
Vibradermabrasion is an excellent option for male patients trying to improve their skin’s texture or maximize the benefit of other cosmetic procedures. This mess-free treatment offers the same advantages as microdermabrasion without the hassle factor. The procedure utilizes vibrating paddles to exfoliate and remove the top layers of the skin, creating a healthy, natural glow. Vibradermabrasion’s subtle results make it a particularly compelling option for male patients. With almost no down time, patients can easily squeeze in an appointment during a lunch break or between work commitments. Men can also use vibradermabrasion to enhance the effectiveness of other cosmetic treatments, including chemical peels and laser procedures.
As one of the most popular skincare treatments, men can undergo chemical peels to address a wide variety of cosmetic complaints. Men with significant sun damage may find chemical peels particularly beneficial, as well as men looking to treat rough skin, acne scars, and fine lines. Following treatment, male patients should keep in mind that affected skin will look similar to a severe sunburn, with redness and peeling lasting for a few days after the peel.
Injectable fillers can enhance the male profile and restore the face’s more youthful characteristics. Many men are particularly interested in fixing the nasoloabial folds; the crease that runs from the nose to the mouth. Filler to this area and others can shed years off the male face. In addition, chin augmentation with injectable fillers can add definition to the neck and chin, as well as improve the appearance of other facial features. The treatment’s limited bruising and down time also suit male patients’ needs, helping them redefine masculine characteristics without extensive surgery.
Male patients looking to dramatically improve the quality of their skin without invasive surgery should consider Fraxel Laser Treatment. Fraxel users enjoy the effective, but subtle results that follow Fraxel treatment, with the procedure creating a more refreshed and rejuvenated look. In particular, Fraxel effectively diminishes the appearance of acne scars, a common male cosmetic ailment. As men generally can’t use make-up to cover up facial blemishes or scars, Fraxel gives male patients the opportunity to permanently erase bothersome facial imperfections. Men can also use Fraxel to combat sun damage or uneven skin tone, both issues particularly relevant to male patients. With an extremely short recovery period and minimal bruising, Fraxel patients can quickly resume normal activities without drawing attention to their cosmetic procedure. Thus, Fraxel offers male patients the benefit of both efficacy and discretion.
Male rosacea sufferers have the opportunity to significantly diminish facial redness with the Vbeam Perfecta Pulsed-Day Laser Treatment. This procedure is particularly appealing to male patients, who often experience more rosacea-related nasal swelling and redness than their female counterparts. As the laser targets redness in the skin, the Vbeam can provide considerable relief from rosacea symptoms. Beyond rosacea, the Vbeam can address wrinkles, facial veins, red scars and port-wine stains. These skin defects bother both genders, with their appearance more than just a matter of superficial improvement.. Men plagued by these blemishes can put these concerns behind them with the help of the Vbeam.
Outdoor enthusiasts and men with an active lifestyle generally spend more time in the sun than their indoor-oriented peers. Unfortunately, extensive UV exposure can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. To reduce the damage’s impact, such patients would be well advised to pursue photodynamic therapy. PDT can remove pre-cancerous skin lesions, known as actinic keratoses, and reverse the effects of sun exposure. Additionally, PDT has the added benefit of reducing other sun-related imperfections, including blotchiness and fine lines.
OTHER TREATMENTS
HYPERHIDROSIS (EXCESS SWEATING)
Excess sweating can severely disrupt social habits, reduce confidence and negatively impact one’s quality of life. Hyperhidrosis affects the hands, feet, palms, armpits, face and head, with patients suffering from various degrees of severity. Unable to fully mask the symptoms, many male hyperhidrosis sufferers avoid shaking hands or engaging in other aspects of physical contact. This physical distance can be particularly problematic for men in social-centric industries, such as sales and human services. That being said, patients don’t have to quietly endure the frustrations of excess sweating. Besides topical and oral medications, BOTOX® injections have the potential to relieve hyperhidrosis symptoms. After targeting problem areas, small doses of BOTOX® can alleviate sweating for several months, helping patients resume a normal lifestyle.
While tattoos may have seemed appropriate prior to the start of a competitive career, they can often appear unprofessional on budding executives and corporate leaders. Removing an unwanted tattoo can help men establish their professional reputation, as well as please a disgruntled spouse who’s tired of seeing an ex-girlfriend’s name permanently etched on her husband’s skin. As men mature and evolve, they may find that their tattoo isn’t growing with them. A medical professional can use laser technology to remove tattoos safely and effectively, helping male patients shed any tattoo-related stigmas.
HAIR LOSS
Hair loss, at any stage in life, can leave men feeling frustrated and embarrassed, particularly as they try to maintain a youthful appearance. The vast majority of male hair loss is the result of androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male pattern baldness. Most men will experience some level of hair thinning by middle age, while a quarter will begin seeing signs of hair loss before age 21. While some men remain unbothered by hair loss, others suffer extreme emotional distress and loss of self-esteem as the result of losing hair. The first step in treating hair loss requires evaluation by a dermatologist to determine the cause of hair loss and the appropriate treatment. As many fad treatments have little to no affect on hair loss, it’s important to consult with an experienced physician. Depending on the cause of the hair loss, many men have seen promising results through prescription medications or steroid injections, with treatment options dependent on their particular needs.
