Statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons provide valuable information that assists us in better meeting the needs of our patients. The annual report on cosmetic procedures keeps us in the know regarding what’s hot and what’s not. For the past several years, one of the trends that have continued to expand is the use of cosmetic treatments by men who want to support their aging process. The most recent report from ASPC indicates that 15% of the more than 125,000 facelift procedures performed last year involved men. This brings up good questions.
One of the questions patients often have about facelift surgery is if the technique for facial rejuvenation is different for men than for women. In short, yes, it is. Here, we discuss how and why.
Facial Hair
Because many men have more facial hair than women, and their hair tends to be thicker or coarser, it is necessary for us to be very mindful of the location of incisions during facelift surgery. The technique that is used focuses on incision placement in areas that will not disturb hair follicles or cause scarring that prevents hair regrowth. It is not only facial hair that we take into account; we also recognize that, due to the shortness of men’s hair, scars around the ear area also need to be made thoughtfully.
Facial Anatomy
There is no denying that there are apparent anatomical differences between the male and female physique, even when it comes down to facial structure. Facelift surgery observes key differences such as:
The skeletal and ligament structures on a woman’s face are generally weaker than is seen on the male face. The angular nature of men’s faces requires careful attention to detail during facial lifting and tightening to avoid exaggerated results.
Men also usually have thicker skin and broader faces than women. In particular, the neck, jaw and lower face have unique contours that demand meticulous adjustments during facelift surgery. The fibrous nature of fat on the male body may pose a challenge to liposuction if this procedure is needed to remove fatty tissue beneath the chin.
Lastly, many men have more veins and arteries within their facial structure than women; a matter of importance to post-surgical scarring and bruising.
Preferential Differences
Perhaps one of the most notable differences between male and female facelifts is personal preference. Every patient is unique. However, most men have particular requests when it comes to facial definition. These requests revolve around replicating the sharpness that once existed along the jawline.
There are several facelift approaches used today. This enables us to meet the needs of each patient through precision technique.
If you would like to learn more about facelift surgery, we would love to consult with you in person. Contacts us online or call our NYC office at (212) 508-0000.