Once there was a time when real men didn’t get facelifts. Wrinkles on a man back then were a sign of male character. Men with true grit had leathery, sun-damaged cheeks and foreheads, and matching saddlebag necks in some cases. Men like John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart and Slim Pickens.

Not anymore. Medical studies show that the times they have-a-changed considerably for men in the 21st century. Men in increasing numbers are choosing to stay in the social game with their younger brethren. They want to look and feel younger longer. A good facelift therefore can be a godsend for a man’s well-being and self-confidence.

While plastic surgery is still a women’s market by far, men comprise 15 to 20 percent of the total current U.S. facelift population. That number continues to grow as men from age 30 to 70 choose plastic surgery as their own personal fountain of youth.
In the March 2009 report of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, lipoplasty was shown to be the most popular surgical procedure for men with 40,519 procedures done in a single year. Rhinoplasty came in second with 32,661 completed procedures.

What’s changed? Better medical technology. Better aesthetic physicians. Better surgical techniques. Along with the male mindset that today it’s OK for a man to get a facelift and not be considered vain or a “wuss”.

Western society is youth oriented and that’s not about to change any time soon. The U.S. economy is tough and getting tougher. Men are working longer.  Not always because they want to but often because they have to. If a man doesn’t look and feel his best and project a winning public image, it could mean the loss of a job or being passed over for a promotion by a younger competitor.

That means older men have to do whatever they can to stay fit and look great. And that means no sagging jawline, one – not three- chins, and no droopy eyelids that project a tired, “I’ve had it” look.

Fortunately for men, their skin tends to be thicker and more elastic compared to women, which makes them good candidates for a successful, lasting facelift result. Like women, there are risks involved with a facelift, such as scarring, which can be more difficult for men to hide because of differences in skin texture, facial hair, and sideburns.

Aesthetic surgery has come a long way since back in the day when men wore their age openly. Men now have options and a facelift, skillfully done, is a good one.

As with all surgical procedures, it’s important to consult with a qualified professional and learn the benefits as well as the risks associated with plastic surgery. To learn more about facelifts, mini-facelifts, eyelid lifts, cheek augmentation, rhinoplasty and other facial surgical procedures, contact The Choe Center for Facial Plastic Surgery in Virginia Beach, minutes away from Chesapeake, at 757.389.5850.