Mad Men vs. Sad Men

Goodbye, DiCaprio; hello, Clooney. The manly look is reportedly back in.

Aside from the popularity of the series Mad Men (starring the square-jawed, long-nosed Jon Hamm, whose manly features parallel his character’s high-stress, hard-drinking ethos as a 1960s ad exec), the trend toward a rougher-hewn countenance may have a deeper biological basis.

A 2010 WebMD article written by Kathleen Doheny describes a study documenting women’s attraction to specific masculine features. Doheny mentions a muscular physique and a deep voice as examples. She then quotes a University of New Mexico study in which researchers defined a masculine face as “one that has a more pronounced chin and jaw, with eyes not typically as wide open as a woman’s.”

The UNM study found that women tend to harbor more attraction to men with these features while in the fertile phase of their menstrual cycle — the point at which, Doheny points out, women are most likely to cheat on their partners. Wives or girlfriends of men with feminine facial features are more likely to develop a straying eye during these times.

Chin Up, Sir!

That risk of cuckoldry may be enough to give men pause en masse. For some, it may also be grounds for pursuing cosmetic surgery. Even men who aren’t worried about infidelity often turn to practitioners such as Dr. Michael Bogdan, a facial plastic surgeon in Dallas, for procedures that lend a macho look to the face.

For example, a face lift can add definition to the chin and jawline. Rhinoplasty can harmonize men’s features by creating a more balanced profile.

According to Doheny, men are commonly turning to chin implants, also available at Dr. Bogdan’s practice, to mesh with a longer or broader nose. Facial implants can serve as an effective complement to rhinoplasty for a combined procedure that further masculinizes the patient’s features while maintaining proportional balance.

Of course, it takes all kinds of preferences to make a healthily diverse population (and gene pool). Some women will always prefer the strong, silent, chiseled type, while others like more androgynous men. Those of us who fall somewhere in between may have to start worrying.

Jason Hilford is a copywriter for Etna Interactive, a digital marketing agency. He is also a freelance writer and editor.

I’ve never thought of my gender as having any impact on my skill and expertise as a medical professional. I think of myself as a Houston plastic surgeon, not a female plastic surgeon. However, I’ve had several patients tell me that they appreciate the fact that I bring a female perspective to the operating room. Here’s why:

• I can relate to the specific challenges women face regarding their appearance. As a woman, I have experienced many of the lifestyle milestones women go through, such as pregnancy. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to accept changes in your appearance — and how guilty you can feel for wanting to do something for yourself. However, I also know how rewarding plastic surgery can be. Moms and other women trust my opinion because I’ve “been there,” and I always give honest advice so my patients can make an empowered choice.
• I am sensitive to my patient’s thoughts and feelings. I understand how difficult and even embarrassing it is for a woman to come for a consultation and discuss things about her body that she does not like. I am very respectful of their concerns. My patients have told me they appreciate my sensitivity and are better able to connect with me because I really can relate to them. They often thank me for treating them like a person and listening to them. I think a caring attitude puts them at ease and allows them to speak more freely about their insecurities. Fostering this kind of dialogue not only makes them feel comfortable, but it enables me to get the answers I need so I can have a better idea of their expectations.
• I treat each person with warmth, compassion and empathy. When patients come to me for plastic surgery, they open themselves up and make themselves very vulnerable. I think it takes a lot of courage to discuss your insecurities with a total stranger, which is why I treat my patients with warmth and empathy. No one wants to feel like they are just another procedure or another dollar. I respect my patients and strive to provide compassionate care by building a trusting relationship with each of them.

As dermatologists in Dallas, my colleague and I create consistently smooth and long-lasting results when performing laser hair removal. In fact, laser hair removal is one of the simplest ways to improve your appearance and your confidence. Here’s what patients can expect after treatment:

• Substantial reduction in unwanted hair: Your dermatologist or esthetician can cover extremely large areas with laser hair treatments, including the arms, legs, neck, face and back. After a few sessions, most patients will grow substantially less, if any, hair in the treated areas.
• Reduced need for waxing and shaving: Laser hair removal stops hair growth at the follicle, sparing you the inconvenience, pain and expense of hair removal methods such as waxing, tweezing or shaving.
• Soft, clear skin year-round: Laser hair removal targets the hair – not the skin. While you may feel some mild tingling during your treatment, the effect on your skin is minimal. After your series of treatments, your skin will be smooth and hair-free all year long.

Mommy makeovers have surged in popularity over the past few years, and for good reason. This procedure is specifically designed to help counteract the effects of pregnancy by restoring areas of a woman’s body that change the most, such as the breasts and abdomen. Mommy makeovers at St. Louis Cosmetic Surgery most often consist of breast enhancement, a tummy tuck and/or liposuction for Illinois patients.

• Breast Enhancement

A breast enhancement procedure usually includes a breast augmentation or breast lift, but it can also involve a breast reduction. Typically, breast augmentation is the most popular option. That’s because the breasts take on a flat or deflated appearance after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Breast implants can help restore volume that was lost or enhance breasts that were small before pregnancy.

• Tummy Tuck

During pregnancy, the skin and muscles stretch so severely that the body can’t “bounce back” once the baby is born. Even women who exercise diligently are still left with folds of skin they can’t get rid of. A tummy tuck is excellent for removing this excess skin around the waistline and tightening the abdominal muscles.

• Liposuction

Losing baby weight is tough, and even after diet and exercise, it’s normal to have a few bumps and bulges left behind. Liposuction can permanently remove these areas of stubborn fat and sculpt a sleeker, more defined body contour.

For many cosmetic procedures, patients wonder what the right or best age is for treatment. Some treatments, such as facial procedures, can be based a lot on age. But not so with tummy tuck.

I inform my patients who are interested in tummy tuck in Toronto that other factors play a more important role in determining the right course of action, including:

• Health — Because any surgery is taxing on the body, you should be in good health. This means being a non-smoker and being able to maintain a healthy body weight. Your surgeon will also take your health history, such as clotting or heart conditions, into consideration.
• Cosmetic goals — How you want to look after surgery will affect the surgeon’s treatment plan. Your surgeon will make sure you have realistic expectations.
• Life stage — If you are planning on having more kids, postpone your tummy tuck until after your last child. Pregnancy stretches the muscles and skin and may cause you to require an additional procedure to restore the results.

If you meet the other requirements, you could be anywhere from age 20 to 75 and have a tummy tuck safely.

Often, women and men interested in rejuvenating their appearances find the number of available options overwhelming. I’d like to take a moment to educate you on 3 popular treatments available at my med spa in Woodbridge, Ontario: Fraxel®, intense pulsed light (IPL) and laser hair removal. My patients from cities like Vaughan and Toronto, Ontario are consistently satisfied with these innovative treatments.

Fraxel

This fractional laser achieves skin resurfacing – and rejuvenation – by making tiny perforations through the outer dermal layer. By extending into the deep skin layers and stimulating collagen production, Fraxel treatments correct issues like wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and scarring.

IPL

Like Fraxel, IPL achieves skin rejuvenation – but without the use of a laser. This treatment exposes the skin to lower-intensity pulses of light. Often used for pigmentation issues caused by sun damage, IPL targets conditions ranging from broken blood vessels to rosacea.

Laser Hair Removal

This treatment makes shaving, tweezing and waxing obsolete. Able to cover large areas at a time, the laser stops hair growth at the follicle. After a few treatments, patients can enjoy long-lasting smooth skin with minimal unwanted hair growth.

Many people are unsure of whether or not they need a full tummy tuck. Those who come to The Plastic Surgery Group for a tummy tuck in Albany know that we view tummy tuck procedures on a continuum.

Personalizing Your Procedure

We assess each individual’s needs and determine the extent of surgery appropriate to achieve the best results. At the comprehensive end, some patients benefit more from a full tummy tuck (hip to hip). On the conservative end, others will require only a partial or mini tummy tuck.

What Are the Qualifications?

The mini tummy tuck offers the benefit of shorter, less-noticeable scars and a potentially faster recovery. This approach is ideal for those with the following criteria:

• Minimal redundant, or excess, tissue
• No abdominal muscle repair required
• Excess tissue isolated to the lower abdomen

You may be surprised to learn that liposuction can help create a younger-looking face. In fact, I frequently complement face and neck lifts with liposuction. People visiting my practice from Palm Springs and other Southern California cities often have questions about the role liposuction can play in these procedures. Here’s how it works:

Liposuction can remove fat from the neck and jawline.

Facelift and neck lift procedures redistribute skin, fat, muscle and other tissues to correct skin laxity and sagging. However, many facial rejuvenation patients have fat deposits in the lower face and neck that also require attention. In these cases, I often use liposuction to remove fat from the chin, neck and jawline to create definition. Once I have removed the fat, the patient will have a well-defined chin and jawline, as well as a nicely youthful angle between the chin and neck.

Liposuction can harvest fat for a fat transfer.

The vast majority of my facelift procedures also include some degree of fat transfer. I first use liposuction to remove fat from areas where the patient doesn’t want it. (This can include the neck and jawline areas discussed above.) After processing the fat, I re-inject it into areas where it actually improves the patient’s contour. In the case of a facelift, fat transfer is highly effective at adding volume to hollow areas in the cheeks or under the eyes.

Breast lift and breast reduction are similar procedures, but they have different objectives.

When to Get a Breast Lift

Weight fluctuation, pregnancy, nursing and age can lead to what we call ptotic breasts, meaning they sag without support. By removing excess tissue, we can elevate the breast, nipple and areola and restore a balanced, youthful shape. A breast lift is strictly cosmetic. Consider a breast lift if:

• Your nipple and areola have moved down or point down
• The bottom fullness has increased and the upper fullness has decreased

When to Get a Breast Reduction

A breast reduction patient is usually looking for relief from issues beyond cosmetic concerns. Large breasts can be physically uncomfortable and cause health issues. Removing large amounts of breast tissue can alleviate health problems and improve shape and size. Consider a breast reduction if:

• Your breasts cause discomfort or other more serious health concerns
• The size of your breasts interferes with certain activities
• You want to alter the size and shape of your breasts

The Best of Both

I combine breast lift with breast reduction in Illinois. While there is some lift inherent in the reduction procedure, further reshaping and lifting can produce more desirable aesthetic results.

Women and men who lose a significant amount of weight often find that excess skin hinders them from fully enjoying their new bodies. Cosmetic surgery can be a great option for my weight loss patients in St. Louis who want to refine their body contours and remove excess skin. Plastic surgery can also make it easier for weight loss patients to participate in their favorite activities and lead a more comfortable lifestyle. Four procedures I recommend are:

• Tummy Tuck and Body Lift: These 2 procedures go hand in hand and are ideal for lifting and tightening the lower body. A tummy tuck and body lift can improve the abdominal contour, buttocks and thighs.
• Thigh or Buttock Lift: These are good options for individuals who want sleeker, slimmer thighs and firmer-looking buttocks. However, these treatments will not address excess skin and fat around the abdomen.
• Arm Lift: An arm lift can reduce the look of “bat wings” and improve underarm firmness and tone. In some cases, liposuction alone may suffice for patients with good skin elasticity and minimal skin sag.
• Breast Lift: Weight loss affects the breasts as well as the body. A breast lift can enhance breast shape and restore your breasts to a more youthful position.