The Aging Face and Volume Loss

There are a number of factors that combine to make our faces look older with time, but the two most important factors are changes in the quality of the skin and the loss of volume. The skin quality changes, that are markedly worsened by factors such as sun exposure and smoking, have long been recognized, but the changes due to volume loss have come to be appreciated only recently.

 

Physicians used to believe that loose skin was due to the gradual stretching effect of gravity, but now we understand that much of this is due to the loss of deeper tissues. As we age we loose facial fat and connective tissue. Our facial bones get thinner and our teeth get ground down. All of these factors combine to produce a hollow appearance where the skin that was once supported by these deeper tissues now sags and droops. There have been examples where patients have had large volumes of filler injected, and have had tightening of the loose skin on the lower face and jowls, comparable to that produced by a surgical procedure. Unfortunately the amount of filler required currently makes this approach not economically feasible for the vast majority of people.

One area where filling is a very practical solution is restoring the mid-face, the youthful contour of the cheeks, and improving the appearance of the bags under the eyes. We now understand that, in many cases, bags under the eyes are not the result of excess or protruding tissue, but are due to the loss of the deeper tissue in the upper cheek, which makes the normal tissue around the eye visible as a bag. Surgically removing this normal tissue results in what has been called "hollow eye" while replacement of the tissue lost with filler results in a more youthful and attractive appearance. 

 

If you’re interested in restoring a more youthful look with a filler, call us at Mangat-Kuy-Holzapfel Plastic Surgery for a consultation at (513) 984-FACE in Cincinnati, (859) 331-9600 in Northern Kentucky, or (970) 766-FACE in the Vail Valley of Colorado. 

Plastic Surgery for Men - A Growing Trend

Today’s modern man, often known as the ‘metrosexual’ man, no longer needs to hide the fact that he cares about his appearance. Where, once upon a time, cosmetic surgery only ever applied to women, an increasing number of men are now going under the knife in order to achieve the perfect look. In fact according to the results of a recent study undertaken by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) 15% of its patients are now male and around 20% of clients requesting Botox injections are men.

 

So why is it all of a sudden acceptable for men to enter what was previously only thought of as a woman’s world? Maybe it has something to do with celebrities such as David Beckham, Ashton Kutcher, Zac Efron and many, many more making it not only acceptable, but incredibly cool to be a modern metrosexual man who cares about his appearance. Or could it be more to do with the increasing number of women voicing their admiration for a man who likes to take care of himself and his appearance? Slobs are most definitely not on the dating agenda where today’s women are concerned.

 

But exactly how far are men prepared to go? Some further than others, that’s for sure. For, despite what current trends might suggest, some men will still look upon cosmetic procedures as vain, stupid, not for real men and embarrassing. However, for those who can afford it and are not afraid to go for what they want, cosmetic treatments are definitely on the rise. So, what are the options? What is becoming not only acceptable, but popular and what do these procedures cost?

 

Nose Reshaping

Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty) was one of the first cosmetic procedures to become widely accepted among the male population and continues to be one of the most popular procedures to date. No longer do men need to go through life lacking in confidence and being ridiculed for an “imperfect” nose . 

 

Chin Implants

Chin implants are becoming increasingly popular as men seeking that chiseled, masculine look will undoubtedly be seeking a strong, manly chin. Chin implants can make your chin larger or just improve the shape to suit the type of face you have, allowing your features to appear more proportionate and balanced. Chin implants can change your entire look and are often combined with other procedures in order to achieve good facial symmetry. 

 

Eye Bag Removal or Eye Lift Surgery

Another popular procedure for men wishing to appear younger than their years is the eye bag removal or eye lift. The stresses of everyday life, hard work, lack of sleep, too much sun, smoking or even some hereditary factors can all contribute to the eyes sagging, resulting in premature ageing. 

 

Chest/Breast Reduction 

Men have often said that one of the most embarrassing body defects to be cursed with is a large chest – i.e. man boobs, or moobs as they’re often referred to. These fatty deposits can develop around the chest during puberty and often disappears with age however unfortunately for some, it can also remain into adulthood.

 

Weight loss and aging can also cause the chest to look large and saggy and an increasing number of men are looking towards male breast reduction surgery in order to address this problem. A chest reduction involves liposuction to remove excess fat and sometimes the removal of glandular tissue or loose skin is also required. This surgery can greatly improve self esteem, and provide men with a new lease of life and level of confidence that can far outweigh the cost of surgery.

 

This noticeable shift in social acceptance of men going to such lengths to enhance what nature gave them bundled with the decreasing cost of these procedures as the demand soars and competition starts to squeeze clinics’ margins seems to highlight a cosmetic trend that is only going to grow. 

 

It should be advised that whatever type of surgery you are considering please be sure to get grounded and impartial advice from your physician. If you or someone you love are considering male cosmetic surgery, call us at Mangat-Kuy-Holzapfel Plastic Surgery for a consultation at (513) 984-FACE in Cincinnati, (859) 331-9600 in Northern Kentucky, or (970) 766-FACE in the Vail Valley of Colorado.