Who says that men don’t get it?

The popularity of aesthetic treatments for males is increasing; and it’s only male celebrities that are embracing anti-aging cosmetic treatments to improve their looks. Cosmetic treatments like Botox (aka Brotox), lasers and jawline enhancement are increasingly viewed as a form of self-care and grooming for men. More celebrities and influencers openly discuss their cosmetic routines and normalise the stigma that aesthetic treatments are feminine or feminising. Even when celebrities don’t talk about their plastic surgeries or treatments, it is apparent among some of them that they’ve had external help to maintain their good looks.

COMMON AESTHETIC CONCERNS AMONG MALES

• Acne scars.

Post acne marks and depressed scars from acne is one of the top concerns among my male patients. Teenage acne is common in Singapore and studies have shown that teenage males are more frequently affected, particularly with more severe forms of the acne¹.

• Wrinkles

Age and gender related differences between male and female skin lead to deeper wrinkles in males². Some males find their wrinkles to a sign of masculinity, how about you?

• Hyperpigmentation

Dark spots can also occur in males. Factors like UV exposure and lifestyle choices lead to photoaging that is superimposed on normal age related changes in the skin, such as hyperpigmentation³.

• Sagging

The jaw and chin are characteristic masculine features that lose definition with aging.

• Eyebags and dark eye circles

Looking tired from dark eye circles and eyebags is another top concern of male patients in my clinic.

Related blogposts:

Acne: Types, Causes, Treatments and Tips for Prevention

5 Skincare Ingredients for Acne & Acne Prone Skin

Under Eye/ Tear Trough Fillers for Eye Bags and Dark Eye Circles

Male aesthetics across cultures- which is your preferred ideal?

MALE VS FEMALE AESTHETICS

We might all share the same skin, but male and female aesthetics and anatomy are very different. To begin, males have thicker skin than females (not to be taken metaphorically), have greater sebum and sweat production, and thicker muscles relative to subcutaneous tissues^4,5. These anatomical differences and physiological ageing processes result in deeper wrinkles in males, compared to females as ageing occurs². Structurally, men tend to have a squarer face, a more angled and larger jaw, and equally balanced upper and lower facial proportions, compared to females⁶.

The key goals for treating males are to enhance the masculine aesthetic, achieve natural looking results and address signs of facial ageing. Preferences in male aesthetics have also evolved over the years- while some males may lean towards the traditional masculine aesthetic of strong jawlines and rugged looks (think Brad Pitt and Hyun Bin); others may prefer softer facial contours and glass skin like Kpop and K-drama idols; or even the “rodent men” look. In view of these nuances and changing aesthetic ideals, aesthetic treatments for males need to be carefully personalised to avoid distorted results.

Related blogposts:

Too Much Botox: Botox Gone Wrong

Telltale Signs of Too Much Filler Injections

Popular aesthetic treatments for males range from lasers, injectables and energy based devices.

POPULAR AESTHETIC/ DERMATOLOGICAL TREATMENTS FOR MEN

 • Botulinum toxin aka “Bro-tox” to treat wrinkles like the crows’ feet, forehead lines and glabella wrinkles. The dosing can and should be individualised to avoid “spock” or unnaturally frozen looks. “Baby Botox” to reduce wrinkles and allow facial movement is a popular choice in my practice.

• Skin resurfacing treatments to reduce scars. These are treatments that improve the depth of scars, skin wrinkles and enlarged pores by stimulating collagen production, and promoting the growth of new, healthy skin. Examples of such treatments include fractional CO2 laser, microneedling and injectable moisturisers (e.g. Profhilo and Skinvive)

• Face sculpting treatments to restore contours and lift saggy skin are crucial for restoring youthful, masculine appearances in males. Some popular treatments for treating laugh lines, jowls and jawline definition include dermal fillers, high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatments e.g. Ultherapy.

• Laser treatments for dark spots and acne.

Related blogposts:

Preventative Botox and Baby Botox

How to Get Rid of Large Pores

How to Treat Sagging Skin Without Surgery

CONCLUSION ON MALE AESTHETIC TREATMENTS IN SINGAPORE 

Male aesthetic treatments are growing in popularity as more men, celebrities and non-celebrities, seek non-invasive aesthetic treatments! Aesthetic preference for males can also differ from traditional masculine strong features to softer contours. It’s important that the differences in male anatomy, physiology and preferred looks are considered to avoid results that are unnatural or distorted.

REFERENCES:

1. A global perspective on the epidemiology of acne. Tan and Bhate. Br J Dermatol. 2015 Jul:172 Suppl 1:3-12.

2. The Pathophysiology of the Male Aging Face and Body. Sadick. Dermatol Clin. 2018 Jan;36(1):1-4.

3. Photoageing: mechanism, prevention and therapy. Yaar and Gilchrest. Br J Dermatol. 2007 Nov;157(5):874-87.

4. Gender-linked differences in human skin. Giacomoni et al. J Dermatol Sci. 2009 Sep;55(3):144-9.

5. Quantifying soft tissue loss in the aging male face using magnetic resonance imaging. Wysonog et al. Dermatol Surg. 2014 Jul;40(7):786-93.

6. Male Aesthetics: A Review of Facial Anatomy and Pertinent Clinical Implications. Farhadian et al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2015 Sep;14(9):1029-34.