Long gone are the days when only women cared about the way they looked. This is clear by the dramatic increase in aesthetic treatments for men! Did you know that aesthetic procedures for men have risen by almost 30% over the past two decades? It is true, but not at all surprising. With the rise of social media and celebrity culture, it is almost impossible for men not to become more and more aware of their appearance. The reality is, men also want to fight the signs of ageing, remove acne scars, and contour their faces to boost their confidence in both their personal and professional lives.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular treatments on the market that have men flocking through clinic doors. You might be surprised by some.
Wrinkle Reduction
Probably one of the most common aesthetic treatments currently for men is wrinkle reduction. Particularly with the use of Botox (comically referred to as “Brotox”). It is estimated that in 2020, about 265 000 men received Botox injections. Today, men make up over half a million Botox patients in the United States. That is a pretty remarkable increase in numbers in a mere 4 years. And the number keeps growing.
Botox is a great treatment to target dynamic wrinkles caused by repetitive facial expressions, such as crow’s feet, forehead lines, and frown lines, providing a more youthful, refreshed and approachable appearance.
What makes wrinkle reduction treatments particularly appealing to men is the minimal downtime and natural-looking results.
Laser Beard Removal
Facial hair has always been an iconic male feature. However, they are not always welcome in the workplace, and maintaining a well-groomed beard on a daily basis can be a challenge. Not to even mention that shaving can cause razor burns and ingrown hairs, which is exactly why more and more men are opting for permanent beard hair removal using advanced laser treatments.
This method destroys the hair follicles, offering long-lasting beard-free results. Laser hair removal is also extremely popular for areas such as the chest, back, and shoulders. It is important to note that most people require multiple sessions before they can enjoy that smoother appearance.
Facial Contouring
Facial contouring is also gaining significant traction in the male aesthetic world. In 2023, approximately 200,000 men received dermal fillers to add volume, structure, and definition to key areas of the face.
It is especially popular to help enhance the cheeks, chin, and jawline, helping refine masculine features and giving the face a more sculpted, angular appearance. Currently, jawline enhancement is the most sought-after facial contouring treatment for men looking to achieve a more defined, masculine jaw (often associated with strength and manliness). Similarly, cheek augmentation can create a more balanced and harmonious facial appearance by adding volume to the mid-face.
Dermal fillers can also help reshape the nose by smoothing bumps, lifting the tip, or adding volume to certain areas, providing subtle yet impactful results.
Skin Rejuvenation
Many men dealing with acne scars or sun damage and seeking to improve the evenness of their skin tone are now opting for treatments like chemical peels. So much so, that men account for roughly 9.3% of all chemical peel procedures performed worldwide. Chemical peels also help address brown spots, ingrown hairs, and enlarged pores.
Other skin rejuvenation treatments include laser treatments, such as CO2 lasers or fractional lasers, to help reduce wrinkles, pigmentation, and skin imperfections. Microneedling, a treatment involving tiny needles that create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating collagen production, is a very popular treatment to improve texture, tone, and reduce scars too.
PRP for Men
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy has emerged as a promising non-surgical treatment for hair growth in men. Particularly for those experiencing androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness. It applies to both conditions equally well. This innovative procedure involves drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood. It is then centrifuged to separate the platelet-rich plasma. The concentrated plasma, rich in growth factors and proteins, is injected into the scalp at the sites of receding hair.
These growth factors stimulate dormant hair follicles, promote blood flow to the scalp, and encourage the regeneration of healthy hair. PRP therapy is minimally invasive. It requires no downtime and is considered a safe option since it uses the patient’s own blood. Thus severely reducing the risk of adverse reactions.
Men seeking PRP therapy for hair growth typically undergo a series of sessions. They are usually spaced several weeks apart, to achieve optimal results. While individual outcomes vary, many men report noticeable improvements in hair thickness, density and overall scalp coverage. All that within a few months of treatment. PRP is often combined with other hair restoration methods, such as topical minoxidil or oral finasteride, to enhance its effectiveness.
Although results can be impressive, it’s important to note that PRP is not a permanent solution and may require maintenance sessions to sustain hair growth. For men looking to address hair loss without surgery, PRP therapy offers a natural, low-risk alternative. It has the potential to restore confidence and a fuller head of hair.
Why Non-Surgical Treatments Appeal to Men
Non-surgical procedures offer quick, effective results with minimal downtime. And most men, especially those with busy professional and personal lives, appreciate treatments that seamlessly fit into their routines without requiring significant recovery time.
Additionally, the fear of looking “done” or unnatural is a common concern among men seeking aesthetic treatments. Non-surgical procedures, such as Botox, dermal fillers, and laser treatments, are designed to provide natural-looking results that enhance a person’s features without drastically altering their appearance. This subtle approach appeals to men who want to maintain a masculine, youthful look without the need for dramatic changes.
Moreover, non-surgical treatments are often more affordable and accessible than their surgical counterparts, making them a more attractive option for men who are hesitant about committing to invasive procedures.
| Treatment | What it is | Benefits for Men |
|---|---|---|
| Botox (Botulinum Toxin) | Injections that relax facial muscles, reducing wrinkles | Smooths forehead lines, crow’s feet, and frown lines; creates a more rested appearance |
| Dermal Fillers | Injections of hyaluronic acid or other substances to restore volume | Fills in deep lines and wrinkles, enhances jawline and cheekbones, reduces under-eye circles |
| Laser Hair Removal | Lasers target hair follicles to reduce hair growth | Reduces unwanted hair on the face, chest, back, and other areas; provides a cleaner, more defined look |
| Chemical Peels | Application of chemical solutions to exfoliate the skin | Improves skin texture and tone, reduces acne scars and age spots, minimizes fine lines |
| Microdermabrasion | Exfoliation technique using a minimally abrasive instrument | Refreshes and rejuvenates skin, improves mild scarring, reduces fine lines |
| Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) | Light therapy to address various skin issues | Reduces redness, sun damage, and age spots; improves skin texture |
| Ultherapy | Ultrasound technology to stimulate collagen production | Tightens and lifts skin on the face, neck, and chest; reduces sagging |
| PDO Thread Lift | Inserting absorbable threads to lift and tighten the skin | Lifts sagging skin, defines the jawline, improves facial contours |
Final Thoughts
Aesthetics for men is no longer a niche market, taboo, or stigmatised. The global market for male aesthetics is estimated to reach US$14.6 billion (approximately £11.97 billion) in 2023 and is projected to grow to US$20.6 billion (about £16.65 billion) by 2030. This indicates a rapidly growing trend, as men embrace non-surgical treatments. Their main aim is to maintain a youthful, confident appearance while enhancing their natural features.
If you are a man and have been considering booking an aesthetic consultation, there is no time like the present! Treat yourself, because Botox, dermal fillers, and chemical peels are no longer exclusively for women.
