By Plastic Surgeon Dr Dirk Kremer. 

One of the current trends in plastic surgery is the increase in men undergoing cosmetic surgery procedures. Although the traditional image of plastic surgery often associates it with women, more and more men are looking to plastic surgery to keep them looking young and healthy, now accounting for 10% of cosmetic surgery procedures.

Statistics published in January this year by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) show that male cosmetic surgery procedures were up 5.6% in 2011 from 2010, with rhinoplasty (nose job),  gynecomastia (breast reduction to remove “man boobs”), and eyelid surgery among the most popular procedures. Abdominoplasty (tummy tucks) among men were up 15% and liposuction up 8%.

What do these figures tell us? Despite the current economic climate, an increasing number of men want to preserve and improve their physical appearance. People still value highly the physical and psychological benefits to plastic surgery. Rightly so, because plastic surgery can make an enormous different both to your appearance and confidence.

There are many reasons why men might want plastic surgery. Both men and women like to see themselves as happy, healthy and fit, and want to make sure that their body appearance matches up with how they feel. Some may also feel that plastic surgery will help give them the edge in making the best impression both in person and online in their profile pictures on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook.

The increases in abdominoplasty and liposuction point to the increasing number of people dealing with obesity. People who have undergone obesity treatments such as gastric bands are often left with lots of loose, baggy skin and a tummy tuck can help correct this.

These trends are mirrored in my practice where I see an increasing number of men seeking body contouring, and perhaps more interestingly, facial rejuvenation.  My signature TBT facelift and TBT eye lifts are a great way for men to turn back the clock and stop the ageing process in its tracks. Minimal scarring techniques means the shorter recovery times too.

It is important to remember that there is not one single standard of masculinity, any more than there is of femininity – these take unique forms for each individual.