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For Dummies is a registered trademark of Wiley Publishing, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Used here by license.Men get into the actIf you think only women are interested in improving their appearance, you’re a little off base. Statistics show that 82 percent of all cosmetic surgery consumers are women. That’s still pretty high when compared to men, but 18 percent is nothing to sneeze at. Business, a longer life span, public acceptance, and more openness about the subject all combine to make many men comfortable with an exploration of cosmetic surgery.
Many men want the same procedures as women. Rhinoplasty, eyelid lifts, and liposuction are popular. Generally, cosmetic surgery for men is modified from the female version of the same procedure. Often that means less extreme. In facial surgery, the placement of incisions is different because men need their scars hidden behind a male hairstyle or receding hairline.
Young people take the leapIf you think cosmetic surgery is only for the 45-and-above crowd, think again. In 2003, almost 336,000 teens 18 or younger had some kind of cosmetic surgery or procedure, a 50 percent increase over 2002. The most popular procedures for this age group were facial peels and nose reshaping. Breast augmentation and liposuction were way down on the list. Naturally, parental consent is needed for patients under 18.
Cosmetic surgery among those between 19 and 25 years old also is exploding. Young women seeking breast augmentation and liposuction, as well as nose reshaping (rhinoplasty) are heading to their plastic surgeons in droves and getting the inside scoop on what’s possible. Although many still turn to older adults for support and money, this group is completely comfortable with the idea of aesthetic improvement. Young adults read the magazines and view the shows that deal with this topic. They are also seeking romance, so how they look and feel about themselves is an important concern. They’re not going to suffer in silence; they’re going to get it fixed.
Surgery for the older setClearly, both men and women want to look good at any age. Today, even many older people — people who are capable and fit and often still employed — don’t want to look their age. They know that modern culture and the business world are often prejudiced against them. A youthful appearance can often be the key to keeping a job, and cosmetic surgery is the way to achieve that look.
The good news is that cosmetic surgery done by a qualified and trained plastic surgeon in a good facility is generally safe at any age. Age is no barrier to someone healthy, but surgeons may adapt or modify surgeries for people past age 65. For example, most anesthesiologists begin to set limits on the amount of surgery that can be performed, and surgeons would perform less-extensive body contouring procedures for this age group. Happily, older people are more concerned with how they look in clothes rather than out of them, so this approach a good match.
More and more of the over-65 group — including people in and out of the workplace — are also seeking solutions to issues with their appearance, regardless of whether they feel discriminated against or not. When these people start feeling a disconnect between what shows up in the mirror and they way they feel, many consider doing something about it rather than coping, as their parents did. This age group is more active and vital than ever. Aided by medications and living a longer life span, most want to enjoy their golden years. For some people, looking more in tune with how they feel helps makes the rewards of a long career and success even sweeter.
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For Dummies is a registered trademark of Wiley Publishing, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Used here by license.