Five non-invasive aesthetic procedures for men

As a society, the concern for beauty and appearance has typically been associated with women. However, men also are looking for ways to improve their appearance. A new era has arrived. Gone are the days of being like The Terminator and Rambo. Today, the shift has leaned toward looking more like Beckham! Men are wanting to look younger and feel more attractive without sacrificing their masculinity.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, men receiving minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, such as BOTOX or Coolsculpting, has increased by 65 percent since 2000.

Men are investing more time and money on their appearance and seeking non-invasive aesthetic treatments to help them look and feel younger in their skin.

With that in mind, and in honor of Father’s Day, here are my top five non-invasive aesthetic procedures for men:

Botox: Decreasing wrinkles to sweat stains

The most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure for men is Botox, or “Bro-Tox” as it is commonly being called when referring to men. Botox is great for men because it’s quick, effective and has no downtime. According to the America Society for Plastic Surgery, Botox was the single most common cosmetic procedure in 2012, accounting for more than 40 percent of all aesthetic procedures done in men.

Botox is primarily used to reduce visible signs of aging by temporarily relaxing key facial muscles that cause deep wrinkles such as frown lines between the brows, forehead lines and crow’s feet. Botox also can be used to stop excess underarm sweating and relieve migraines. Whether you’re giving a presentation in your shirt and tie or just don’t want to deal with unsightly sweat stains during a workout, Botox is a great way to prevent underarm sweating for up to 6 months.

Laser hair reduction

Laser hair reduction is gaining a lot of attention with men. It’s a non-invasive procedure to remove unwanted hair or to thin out excessive hair growth. The most common areas treated are shoulders, back, chest, stomach and neck hair that tends to grow out and become more noticeable with age. Excess hair in men can be caused by high testosterone levels but can also be due to genetics and other factors. Laser hair reduction works by treating the hair follicles with a laser or light energy. This procedure requires six to 10 sessions for optimal results.

Kybella: Bye-bye double chin

Kybella may be the next popular aesthetic treatment among men. It is an exciting new FDA-approved, non-invasive treatment to permanently remove fat under your chin, also known as submental fullness or “double chin.” Before Kybella, liposuction was the go-to treatment for this area, but it is an invasive procedure that can leave small scars and requires a long amount of downtime. With Kybella, double chins can permanently be reduced with just a few in-office treatments.

Dermal fillers: Adding volume

Wrinkles, volume loss and sagging skin are age-related changes that many are concerned with. Dermal fillers can add volume in all the right places to achieve a more youthful and confident appearance. Areas commonly treated are the nasolabial folds — the creases on the sides of the mouth that extend upward toward the nose, cheek volume loss and sunken or hollowness under the eyes. Unlike Botox, which relaxes muscles, dermal fillers are gel-like substances that add volume where needed to re-create a more youthful and smooth face. However, men have a very different facial shape compared to women. Men tend to have flatter cheeks, lower brows and a sharper jawline. Therefore, it is important to find a physician who is experienced in treating men. Most dermal fillers have a temporary effect, lasting four months to two years, which is optimal as the facial features and shape continues to change with time.

Body contouring: Slimming the love handles and belly fat

Stubborn belly fat that won’t budge with diet and exercise has always been a concern. Liposuction or surgery was the gold standard, but now there are many non-invasive body contouring treatments available such as CoolSculpting, which uses cold to eliminate fat cells, or Vanquish, which uses heat to melt away the fat cells. Popular treatment areas for male clients include the love handles and belly fat. Finding a reputable clinic that will make sure you are a good candidate for the procedure is important for successful outcome of the treatment. Each session lasts approximately one to two hours, and there is no downtime, a must for men!

Kim Thompson

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