Men’s attitudes towards cosmetic surgery are changing. According to the most recent data, published the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).Image-conscious male patients are shunning more dramatic procedures, such as a full facelift or chest augmentation, in favour of targeted treatments to ‘tweak’ their appearance.
In 2018, the most popular cosmetic procedures among men were nose jobs, ear correction, and eyelid surgery. But what are the reasons behind these trends? Let’s examine each one more closely:
Nose jobs (Rhinoplasty)
It’s not surprising to learn that rhinoplasty topped the list of most popular cosmetic procedures for males in 2018. With the rise of social media sites like Snapchat and Instagram, more men than ever before are feeling the pressure to look good from every angle. Celebrity influence is also a big reason why men choose to go under the knife. Last year, the BBC reported that men are turning to rhinoplasty so that they can look more like their idols. The ‘Tom Hardy nose‘ seems to be the most popular choice among patients opting for the treatment.
Ear correction (Otoplasty)
Otoplasty is a relatively straightforward procedure that can potentially solve a problem that causes many men a lot of mental anguish. Because they are such a prominent facial feature, people who have ‘sticking out’ ears have often been subjected to ridicule and bullying throughout their lives, so they feel that the procedure is well worth the investment. Lots of men, including former Big Brother contestant Paul Clarke, say that otoplasty has had a profound impact on their confidence levels.
Eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Men are discovering that, unlike a facelift, eyelid surgery is a procedure that can make them look fresh-faced without it looking too obvious that they’ve had work done. Double eyelid surgery – where both the bags under the eyes and excess skin on the upper lid are removed – is becoming a particularly popular trend in Korea. This is largely because many Korean men naturally have narrower eyes but, due to the influence of western culture, they believe wider eyes are more attractive.
But now that summer has arrived, and men are feeling the pressure to look good all over, these trends may change. Could we see a rise in procedures like abdominoplasty and liposuction by the end of the year? Only time will tell.