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Male Makeover

106373569Male Makeover is a long-overdue and growing trend for men to pay more attention to taking care of themselves, from being more fashion-conscious, to regaining and maintaining physical fitness, to rejuvenating their bodies with specialized products for the skin and hair. If you are a guy, you would do well to spend the next 10 minutes reading over some vital information on how to be better friends with that person you see in the mirror when it comes to your face and skin.

Face It!

Men often have misgivings about turning into a metrosexual at the mere mention of skin care. No one is suggesting masculinity is peeled away by taking better care of oneself. In fact, a virile, younger-looking appearance serves men well in career advancement and for their love lives. In fact, the vast majority of facial enhancements allow men to retain that rugged look while smoothing the skin. Fine lines and wrinkles are reduced or removed, and a youthful, strong visage appears that exudes confidence.

Refine It!

Facials aren’t just for women anymore. Men can enjoy the invigorating splash of an organic facial to clean pores and tighten skin. But don’t just do it once as a lark! Developing a routine facial regimen is quite beneficial for exfoliating and detoxing the skin, as well as, removing pesky oil build-ups that create regular blackhead and whitehead problems. Concerned about aging? Who isn’t? Specialized Vitamin C, oxygen or collagen facials put the brakes on the stress, sun, and other issues that promote male aging.  How often? Your skin care specialist can give you a good idea of how long you should wait between appointments based on your skin issues. Expect to mark down some type of facial enhancement on a monthly or quarterly basis. The benefits are noticeable at the onset and build over time.

Rejuve It!

Men might also consider microdermabrasion from time to time to keep skin healthy and vibrant. Removing dead or damaged skin occasionally helps the rejuvenation process.

You’ve probably already guessed what chemical peels do. They improve the appearance of skin by removing or peeling of the top layers of skin. Such treatments can treat certain kinds of acne and reduce fine lines on the face. Discolored skin can also be addressed. Often, patients will be given topical pre-conditioning creams to apply prior to treatment and advised to stop taking certain medications that might interfere. At the appointment, the specialist will apply the appropriate chemical solution to the treatment. During such a peel, patients feel warmth that lasts 5-10 minutes. At times, the treatment temporarily stings. After a chemical peel, a broad-spectrum sunscreen should be used. Depending on the scope or depth of the peel, it may take 7-14 days for redness, scales, or swelling to completely clear following a treatment. However, patients continue to report dramatic results in enhancing their appearance. A little pain for much gain.

Photo-Rejuv It!

Men may also opt for the less invasive technology of what’s termed the “photofacial” or “photorejuvenation.” Using a hand-held device, dermatologists and plastic surgeons aim timed blasts of intense pulsed light (IPL) on areas of skin to stimulate the growth of collagen. Treatments take 30-60 minutes, depending upon the amount of skin to be targeted. What happens? These IPLs cauterize small capillaries in the skin, reducing sun damage, scarring, age spots and other pigment discolorations.

Some patients compare photofacials to what happens to a picture after adjusting it in Photoshop computer software. The best news of all is the same-day recovery feature of such treatment versus that of chemical peels or other laser re-surfacing treatments. Three to six treatments are needed to see maximum results.

The Nose Knows!

Big noses and irregular are noticeable by men. They know all of the jokes. A nose is often the epicenter of a first impression, for better or worse. The good news is that nose reshaping is the number one invasive plastic surgery treatment for men in their 20s through 50s. A “nose job” is a delicate, artful process of improving nose appearance through reshaping the tip or bridge, and dealing with any other abnormalities that give a person much unwanted attention. Even small improvements of the nose can yield greater facial symmetry and enhance a person’s self-esteem by leaps and bounds. Recovery is usually a week so nose surgery is a good idea to calendar in ahead of time.

The Eyes Have It!

You most likely don’t realize that eye lid surgery, also known as blepharplasty, is a vastly popular plastic surgery procedure for men in their late 30’s to 60’s.  Why? Saggy, puffy eyelids are a telltale sign of aging, and even premature aging due to stress and lack of sleep. For less than $5,000, many men believe it is a small price to pay for a more youthful look that offers them career advantages. The procedure is performed under anesthesia and does not require a significant amount of time. In fact, skin, fat and/or muscle removal may be accomplished through eye lid surgery to bring out the eyes for a more youthful appearance.    Within two to three weeks, life after surgery will be normal and the results can last for ten or more years.

Fill It!

Why not try some  vanity? Injectibles and facial fillers smooth out troubling facial wrinkles on the forehead, around the mouth or near the eyes. Banishing crow’s feet and removing wrinkles on the forehead defy age like no other.

Who hasn’t heard of Botox®? You might not know that men from the mid 30’s through the 60’s get such treatments in astounding numbers. Botox works wonders on wrinkled foreheads, crow’s feet, and that zone between the eyebrows for up to three or more months. With no down time, many guys keep coming back every three to six months to maintain their looks due the reasonable price per treatment. A recent alternative to Botox® is Dysport ® which works the same way and touts similar benefits. And don’t forget facial fillers. Restylane® Juvederm® and Perlane® are hyaluronic acid fillers that smooth depressed areas of the face and facial folds. The proper choice depends on the severity of aging. The products last up to 12 months, depending upon filler type and extent of aging.  Radiesse® is a hydroxyapatite, filler that is used to fill nasolabial folds, marionette lines and the cheeks. Radiesse may last from one to one and a half years. Sculptura induces collagen formation in the deep layer of the skin to fill facial creases for up to two years. Fat injections may also be used to fill in unwanted skin folds, facial creases and lift sunken cheekbones.

Suck It Out!

Weight loss, exercise, and other toning efforts are the preferred way of dealing with the effects of mid-life spread. However, many men turn to liposuction to remove troublesome fat from their backs, hips, bellies, and other areas. Then, for more refined results, some men turn to high-definition liposuction or lipo-sculpturing to counter their bodies even further, including etching to create that abdominal six-pack appearance. In fact, lipo-sculpturing has become popular among men of any age to leverage a six pack abdominal appearance.  Too, fat transfers using liposuction have been the latest trend to sculpt the buttocks.

Male breast reduction procedures are rapidly eclipsing other forms of plastic surgery for most any adult age. Plastic surgeons remove excess fat and skin in the breast area, allowing men to feel much better about themselves without the “man-boobs” and enjoy walking around without their shirts off. With a few days to week long recovery, it’s a great procedure to select when you have a little time off.

Comb It!

Finally, as you think through your improvement checklist, how are you feeling about your hairline? Is it receding? Looking thin in places? Do you have the proverbial bald spot?  Hair transplantation among men in their 40’s to 60’s is commonplace these days. There are various grafting techniques that remove and transplant hair clusters to balding areas with prime results. Expect to pay anywhere from $6,000 to $20,000 for a hair treatment program, which can be a great investment for men who wish to appear younger with a head full of hair.

Are You Ready for It?

Your male makeover may take some time for full results, but why not get started? There’s nothing to wait for, especially when patient finance options might be better than your credit card.

It is important to recognize that all information contained on this website cannot be considered to be specific medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or medical advice. As always, you should consult with a physician regarding any medical condition.
Your Health Access disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.