There is a common misconception that cosmetic surgery is primarily for women. The avoidance of cosmetic surgery by men may be due to deeply ingrained notions of manliness and the stereotypical portrayal of cosmetic surgeries. Studies show, however, that more men are electing cosmetic surgery to correct various appearance related complaints. Many of the false notions men have may stem from a lack of information on what conditions are treatable with cosmetic surgery.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were 1.2 million men who had cosmetic surgery procedures in 2005. That figure indicates a 44% increase in male surgeries since 2000. The most common procedure is rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a nose reshaping; 99,680 men elected to have this procedure in 2005. Due to the high incidence of broken noses in men and the attending medical problems that can come from disrupted nasal passages, this procedure seems to be more socially acceptable.

Liposuction is also gaining popularity among males. The most common areas of liposuction for men are in the abdominal region and the flanks. According to the ASPS study, 35,673 men had liposuction procedures in 2005. Contrary to popular belief, liposuction is not an alternative to weight loss. It is typically performed in areas that may require sculpting to obtain a more desirable appearance. The average amount of fat that is removed is less than ten pounds.

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, can be a functional or cosmetic procedure that reshapes the upper or lower eyelid. The ASPS study indicates that 32,988 men had blepharoplasty procedures performed in 2005. Asian blepharoplasty is a common procedure performed on Asian men to give the appearance of a double eyelid, which gives the man a western look.

Male breast enhancement treats gynecomastia, which means “woman like breasts.” It is a fairly common and often embarrassing condition with which many men struggle. There are several contributing factors to this condition, including:

· Impaired liver function

· Medications that contain estrogen

· Use of anabolic steroids

· And many other ailments and conditions

According to the study, 16,275 men elected this surgery in 2005. When diet and exercise fail to reduce male breast size, it often becomes desirable to correct the problem with cosmetic surgery.

Not all procedures available involve major surgery; men are also opting for minimally invasive procedures. The top five such procedures are:

· Botox

· Microderm abrasion

· Laser hair removal

· Chemical peel

· Laser skin resurfacing

As technology and medical advances continue, more cosmetic procedures will be safely performed on men and women in increasing numbers. As the social stigmas associated with enhancing looks through surgery abate, more men will likely turn to cosmetic surgeons to improve their appearance.