More men are electing to undergo facelifts than ever before—an uptick that, according to Corey S. Maas, MD, President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, comes down to self-confidence.

“It’s really a myth that this procedure is all about vanity,” Dr. Maas says. “Now that we’re living longer lives, it’s more about maintaining a look that’s commensurate with how youthful men are feeling in their 40s, 50s and 60s.”

Add to that the fact that men like Marc Jacobs are starting to open up about the work they’ve had done, and the stigma surrounding males and facial plastic surgery in general becomes smaller and smaller.

“The more both men and women are willing to talk about looking and feeling their best, the more facial plastic surgery becomes mainstream,” Maas confirms. 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, men turn to facelifts for the same reasons as women: to reduce the jowling effect in the lower face while improving neck laxity. The difference? While women can address some of these concerns with less invasive procedures, men have fewer options.

“Men have heavier and thicker skin than women, so while they can disguise some of these issues with a beard, no cosmetic procedure comes close to the efficacy of a facelift,” Maas adds. 

As far as results are concerned, he notes that men can expect a stronger jawline, more sharply defined cheekbones, and a major reduction in both jowling and excess tissue around the mouth. And while neither men nor women want to look like they’ve had work done, Maas notes that the stigma, however small, surrounding facial plastic surgery for males is such that men tend to prioritize a natural look over anything else.

“The good news is that at this point, any facial plastic surgeon in our Academy can deliver a natural facelift,” Maas says. “Whether male or female, patients can expect a natural look that restores attractiveness to the face.”

To that end, credentials are of utmost importance when it comes to choosing a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in surgery of the face, head and neck.

[Source: AAFPRS]