What Every Man Should Know Before A Cosmetic Procedure

Think only women obsess over their looks? Think again. With more men opting to go under the knife, it’s important to separate fact from fiction.

What Every Man Should Know Before a Cosmetic Procedure

For years, women and their looks have been under the microscope, scrutinized at every turn. Men seemingly escaped the pressure said to age like a fine wine. However, more men are turning to cosmetic surgery to regain their youthful looks. Before the first cut, know what’s true and what’s false.

Myth #1 – Men only get surgery on their bodies; they don’t mess with their faces.

False. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2011, the top five male cosmetic procedures were:

1. Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty) – 62,000 procedures
2. Eye Lid Surgery – 29,000 procedures
3. Liposuction – 23,000 procedures
4. Breast Reduction – 20,000 procedures
5. Facelift – 11,000 procedures

Only 317 pectoral implants were performed in 2011. Chin implants are also on the rise with a 76% increase from 2010 to 2011. It seems “rugged” is no longer a good look for men.

Myth #2 - To get rid of man “boobs”, just lose weight.

False. Enlarged breast tissue in men actually has a medical name. It’s known as gynecomastia. And losing weight isn’t always the answer to get rid of them. Even with weight loss, male breast reduction is often needed to return breast tissue back to its natural appearance. Weight gain is one reason for it, but it can also be caused by genetics, hormones, and medications. While a man having breasts can be embarrassing, it isn’t physically harmful.

Myth #3 – Men who receive plastic surgery are vain.

There will always be those who seek cosmetic surgery for vanity reasons, but not all men opt for procedures just for their looks. There are several medical reasons for cosmetic surgery. For example, while gynecomastia itself is not an issue, it may be a catalyst for an underlying medical issue such as cirrhosis or testicular cancer. Rhinoplasty may be necessary if a man has a broken nose and the bones don’t mend correctly, causing breathing issues. Men with a deviated septum may also need rhinoplasty as part of a sinus procedure.

Myth #4 – For a man, any plastic/cosmetic surgeon will do.

This myth can be dangerous. As with any other surgical procedure, time and care should be paid to who is going to be doing the work. Some men are notorious for just getting the least expensive item as long as it is functional. Men, this is not an area you want to skimp on. Find out how much your insurance will cover and be prepared for anything else out of pocket.
It is also important to know what type of training your surgeon has received. A board certified doctor is best to have, but be sure to know what they are truly certified in. Some surgeons may be certified in another specialty and ended up in plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgeons are not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Be sure to look for a board certified plastic surgeon. There is a difference. Ask questions and don’t assume. You wouldn’t have a board certified orthopedic perform surgery on your liver would you?

Citations:

Dr. Simopoulos is a cosmetic surgeon based in Beverly Hills. You will find more information about laser body sculpting on his website.

Different Kinds of Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are injectable solutions that are used to fill in sunken areas on the face, or to plump up problem areas. For example, you can use dermal fillers to plump up wrinkles or expression lines, to increase the volume of the lips, and to increase the volume of cheeks that have become sunken as we age.
There are several different kinds of dermal fillers, all designed to meet a specific need. Here's a round-up of some of the most commonly used dermal fillers:
Body Fat
Body fat, also known as analogous fat, uses fat from your body. It is taken from somewhere you don't need it, and placed in a spot where you do need it. This is an excellent option for patients who might be allergic to other substances- you won't have an allergic reaction to analogous fat. Surgeons must over-fill an area because the body will re-absorb a great deal of the fat once it's injected, but it will settle.
Hyaluronic Acid
HA is a natural substance found in the human body, and is the main ingredient in popular fillers like Restylane and Juvederm. The substance is found in soft connective tissues and in fluid in the eye and joints. It is a substance that naturally provides volume to an area.
Collagen
Collagen is also a natural substance. It is found in cartilage, teeth, bones, and can come from human sources or from cows (then it's known as bovine collagen). It is a popular substance for plumping up thin lips.
Polylactic Acid
This is actually a synthetic substance that stimulates collagen production when injected into the desired site. So you don't have immediate results, but the area slowly fills in over a few months as the collagen grows. This is popular for use on thin lips and laugh lines, as well as folds from the nose to the lips.
Calcium hydroxylapatite
This is the effective ingredient in Radiesse and Radiance products. It is a natural substance found in human bones. It's a heavy substance, effective for filling in deep creases like marionette lines and nasolabial folds, and for increasing volume in the cheeks.
Always use a board certified plastic surgeon to help you select a dermal filler and to do the procedure itself. They are more trained in safety techniques and the most up to date products and procedures. Using a non-certified surgeon increases your risk of developing side effects.

FAQs About Laser Hair Removal

1. Why should we avoid getting tanned before the sessions?
Our skin has a very high proportion of melanin. Tanning can increase the percentage of melanin in our skin. Such a condition significantly increases the risk of causing side effects such as burns or pigmentation disorders. Hence, people are advised to avoid getting tanned before laser hair removal sessions. You should avoid stepping out in the sun or use adequate measures (sunscreen, umbrella etc.) to avoid getting tanned before your session begins. You should stay indoors as much as possible.
2. Why cannot regular beauticians perform this treatment?
The equipment used in this treatment can only be operated by trained professionals who have undergone proper medical and technical training needed for conducting laser hair removal treatments. Regular beauticians are not trained or qualified to operate such equipments and due to risk involved in the procedure, laser treatments are only conducted under the supervision of a physician. This is why, you are advised to approach only those skin and laser clinics which employ trained and qualified dermatologists for conducting all kinds of laser treatments.
3. Can I remain discreet while opting for this treatment?
As laser hair removal treatments are conducted by trained medical professionals (dermatologists), the rules of doctor - patient confidentiality are followed by the clinics. Hence, your information will remain safe and will not be disclosed to any unauthorized personnel. Unless you agree, the clinic or the doctor will not disclose the details of your treatment to any 3rd party. However, such rules of professionalism will only be followed by those clinics which are recognized and reliable. Hence, you should only opt for a trusted and reliable clinic to avail of such treatment.
4. Will I be allowed to change my dermatologist during the course of the treatment?
Each individual is free to choose his or her doctor and this principle also applies to the field of cosmetic treatment. You can change your dermatologist at any time you want, even during the course of the treatment. However, few of the clinics may not provide you with this option given the fact that they do not have more than trained dermatologist working for them. Hence, the question of changing the dermatologist does not even arise. This is why, it is recommended that you wisely choose the clinic for getting laser hair removal treatment.
People are recommended not to change the dermatologist during the course of the treatment, to avoid unnecessary complications.

Laser Hair Removal - Some Useful Information

The word LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It consists of a beam of photons having the same wave length. In laser hair removal treatment, some of these photons are absorbed by the pigments of our hair (melanin) and in the process they are destroyed due to heating. This is process is known as selective photothermolysis. This method of hair removal is especially effective on dark hair or those in the initial phases of their growth, as they produce a lot of melanin. In a particular session, around 15 to 20% of body hair is destroyed.
As a single session cannot destroy all of our body hair, multiple sessions are required to achieve favorable results (on an average, 4 to 8 session). The number of sessions is also dependent on a variety of other factors. For example, young people might require more sessions as their hair will usually grow at a faster rate. Also, people with hormonal disorders will require higher number of sessions. When you approach a dermatologist for this hair removal treatment, he or she will check your medical history and also consider all the required factors to determine the number of sessions required.
Laser hair removal treatments should be performed with caution on pigmented skin because they contain a lot of melanin. There is a risk that the melanin will be destroyed, resulting in permanent white spot. This is why, the dermatologists will perform a lot of tests before recommending this method of treatment to any individual. In order to achieve effective results, it is advisable that you only opt for the services of a skin and laser clinic which has access to the required equipment for conducting these tests. The dermatologists will also consider other factors such as age, overall health condition, allergies etc.
In many people, it becomes difficult to treat certain areas of the body (forearms, thighs etc.) with the help of this treatment. Even multiple sessions may not offer the desired results. Hence, such people may require a lot of sessions, within a period of 3 to 6 months. Also, in some people the hair grows at a very high rate and laser hair removal treatment is not able to offer them with permanent results. They can only enjoy long term results, which may last from 6 to 12 months. Hence, they might need to repeat the treatment after long intervals.

We are a clinic that offers laser hair removal in Delhi, please visit our clinic if you are looking for laser hair removal treatments.