The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) announced 2013 cosmetic surgery statistics last month—the 15th year the organization has tracked trends. These are some of the highlights related to male plastic surgery in New York and across the nation.
The Numbers Are Up
2013 saw an overall rise in the number of surgical and non-invasive treatments for both men and women to a grand total of more than 11 million procedures. In fact, the uptick was a very healthy 12%. This growth reflects many factors, one being a healthier economy. Another is that—due to new technology, products and techniques—a wider variety of procedures are available. Patients can now meet more cosmetic goals in more ways than ever before.
Male Plastic Surgery is Growing
When the ASAPS first tabulated the numbers in 1997, men accounted for a relatively small number of procedures. Today, electing a variety of surgical and non-invasive treatments, men account for more than 1,000,000 total procedures annually. This number represents an increase of nearly 275% in cosmetic surgery for men over 15 years.
Interestingly, the proportion of male to female cosmetic treatments has stayed relatively constant over the past decade and a half. Men still account for just under 10% of total patients, and this figure hasn’t changed much. Enthusiasm for aesthetic improvement has risen at about the same rate for both sexes.
Trends for Men
For many years, rhinoplasty led the way in terms of popularity for men. Indeed, rhinoplasty is one of the earliest forms of cosmetic surgery—both men and women have sought nose jobs for decades. Today, rhinoplasty ranks #3 for male patients, surpassed by liposuction and blepharoplasty in the #1 and #2 spots. This intriguing finding suggests that while men may have generally elected surgery to correct a perceived “defect” in the past, today they are also comfortable choosing procedures to fine tune and rejuvenate their appearance.
Male breast reduction surgery continues to be a frequent choice for men, holding the #4 position countrywide. (This steady state does not match what we see in our plastic surgery offices in New York, however: gynecomastia patients contacting us in increasing numbers. That’s because we specialize in the procedure, unlike most plastic surgeons who perform just a few gynecomastia surgeries each year. Many men conduct extensive research before taking the plunge, and they discover that having a highly experienced plastic surgeon is essential for good results.)
A final note—otoplasty, or surgery to pin back the ears, made the ASAPS top 5 list for males for the first time in 2013. Young people (from children up to age 34) account for about two-thirds of all ear surgery patients.
Are Changes Ahead?
It has been tempting to think that over time, the numbers of men seeking cosmetic treatment will grow relative to the numbers of women. Maybe they eventually will. On the other hand, newer treatment options, such as BOTOX and Dysport, facial fillers and fat grafting to enhance curves and faces, tend to send more and more women to the cosmetic surgeon. Perhaps this is a case of “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”
Dr. Elliot Jacobs is an experienced, highly recognized New York plastic surgeon focusing on procedures for men. An innovator in his field. Dr. Jacobs has developed advanced techniques for correcting gynecomastia (enlarged male ‘breasts’) through liposuction, with a focus on comprehensive improvements from the chest to the waist area. He also provides surgical correction for men with overactive sweat glands through a minimally-invasive procedure that significantly reduces sweat production without eliminating it entirely.
A native New Yorker, Dr. Jacobs has served on the US Air Force and is an Honorary Police Surgeon for the New York City police Department. After earning his medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, he completed a General Surgery residency there as well, and received specialized training in plastic surgery techniques before ultimately earning the position of Chief Resident in Plastic Surgery. Dr. Jacobs is board-certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Plastic Surgery; he is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and a Fellow of both the American and the International Colleges of Surgeons.
Dr. Jacobs recognizes the challenges that men experience due to problems such as enlarged breast tissue and overactive sweat glands, and he enjoys working with his patients personally to help restore their appearance and help enable them to enjoy a more confident outlook. Dr. Jacobs is committed to the ongoing advancement of plastic surgery techniques, and is a Consultant in Plastic Surgery to the United Nations. A frequent contributor to national and local news sources, Dr. Jacobs is also on the attending staff of several New York area hospitals and is the author of Mantalk: Tips from the Pros for Great Looks, Good Health and Maintaining Your Competitive Edge
