Men & Plastic Surgery - Dr. Tim R. Love

Happiness is an elusive emotion that varies in definition depending on the person: for your sister, it may be a good book and a warm blanket, and for your brother it may be an afternoon of undisturbed football. Others simply want to look as good as they feel, and their crooked nose, weak jaw, or acne scars aren’t helping. So why not change what you don’t love to improve your own happiness? Cosmetic surgery often conjures up images of celebrities or women, seeking to look even more beautiful than before. However, recent studies have shown that men are seeking cosmetic surgery more now than they ever have been before—and for good reasons.

It’s Not Uncommon

Statistics by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery show 750,074 men had some form of cosmetic surgery in 2010, compared to 8,586,740 women. The top five procedures in 2011 for men were lipoplasty, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, gynecomastia, and facelifts; or liposuction, nose jobs, eyelid surgery, breast tissue enlargement, and the tightening of facial skin.

The number of men undergoing cosmetic procedures has increased 121% from 1997. Several celebrities have begun undergoing plastic surgery with more fervor: Michael Jackson was infamous in his later years due to extensive surgery. Other A-listers like Bruce Jenner, Sylvester Stalone, Gene Simmons, Kenny Rogers, and even Barry Manilow have gone under the knife.

So why are they doing it?

The University of Texas recently released the results of a study they performed on the workplace: pretty people are more successful, in a variety of ways. They’re hired sooner, receive promotions quicker, and are even paid more than some of their less-attractive co-workers, regardless of qualifications. Another study in Psychology Today revealed that good-looking salespeople tend to bring in more money for their companies, which in turn makes their employer view them as a hard worker and valuable asset. This study focused on the likelihood of the customer to purchase from an attractive person versus their likelihood to purchase from a less attractive salesperson. This principle was referred to as “the pleasure of dealing with good-looking people,” where the customer would likely buy from the attractive salesperson in a subconscious effort to increase their chances of mating with the individual.

A surgical procedure that will make you happier and more successful – what more do you want?

The popular trend among plastic surgery for men today is no longer the small nose-and-chin look of Leo DiCaprio or Tobey Maguire. Instead, it’s the square-jaw look of celebrities like Michael Fassbender and Daniel Craig to increase the appearance of masculinity. If such a dramatic change isn’t quite what you’re considering, don’t worry: there’s a wide variety of cosmetic procedures that can alter any look.

Often, men seek cosmetic plastic surgery to alter things that simple working out can’t do: excess skin after weight loss, loosened skin from sun exposure or age, unbalanced facial features. With procedures that are less invasive and require less healing time than ever before, some procedures will have you back in the office the very next day. Don’t be on the line about your appearance: it’s something you have to live with for the rest of your life, so you should be happy with it. Besides, if your new good looks don’t help you get a raise, your new sense of confidence certainly will!