The idea that men have become more conscious about their appearance in the era of selfies, teleconferencing, and dating sites is well-documented. Even though men still make up a smaller percentage of plastic surgery patients than women, their numbers are on the rise. Men considering everything from BOTOX® injections to a facelift has simply become more common.
The increase in men seeking plastic surgery means that surgeons must tailor their surgical techniques to address the unique challenges posed by the male face. Most men seek changes that won’t erase all of their wrinkles and lines. Retaining a face “with character” is a significant differentiator between male and female cosmetic surgery patients. In this blog post, I’ll briefly explain the differences between a male and female facelift.
Surgical Experience
When choosing a plastic surgeon for a male facelift, be sure to inquire about your surgeon’s experience performing aesthetic surgery on men. To achieve good results, it’s extremely important that your surgeon be familiar with the anatomy of the male face. Surgeons who don’t understand the nuances of a man vs. woman’s facelift may unintentionally make a male patient’s face look too feminine or puffy—or worse still—like the individual has had “work done.”
Incisions
When it comes to facelift incisions, the male face requires special consideration because many men wear their hair short and can’t hide potential scars in their hair like women often can. Men also tend to have thicker, heavier skin and tissue, especially in the lower face and neck, which can be more difficult for a surgeon to manipulate.
Aesthetic Goals
There are significant differences in the outcomes desired by men and women from facelift surgery. Men tend to value sharper facial features with more definition, especially along the jaw and neck. Women seek a softer, more delicate appearance. The goal of a male facelift is usually to create a more natural-looking, prominent chin and a more defined, contoured jawline.
Unique Recovery Concerns
Many men want to know when they can shave their face after having facelift surgery. In most cases, men need to wait at least a week after I remove the sutures before they can shave again. Because of this, I recommend men shave just before coming in for their surgery so they start their recovery period with as clean of a shave as possible. I also recommend men use an electric razor for the initial shaves, both for safety and comfort.
Additionally, the Steri-Strip™ skin closures we use may fall off a man’s face faster than a woman’s because facial hair growth can push off the strips. Men need to be prepared for this as well and contact their surgeon if they have any concerns.
If you’re looking for a plastic surgeon who’s experienced performing facelifts for both women and men, contact our office using the online form to request a consultation or call us at (518) 328-3330 to schedule an appointment.
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