"Brotox"? Male Trends in Noninvasive Cosmetic Procedures

Recent trends in the beauty industry suggest that men are willing to take slightly more diverse measures than before in order to keep up a good appearance. Newsnet5.com reported that more than 360,000 men received Botox treatments in 2012, evidence of a growing trend among men-both gay and straight-using what has been dubbed "Brotox" to treat their wrinkles.

In addition to the increase, the discrepancy between procedures chosen by straight men versus those chosen by gay men is ever-widening: those within the gay community are opting for more invasive procedures, while straight men prefer noninvasive treatments that require little or no downtime. Skinspirations, a Tampa Bay nonsurgical cosmetic facility, says that the growing number of men interested in cosmetic procedures is accompanied by noticeable differences between men who seek noninvasive versus surgical procedures, and the trend is also influencing an industry shift towards accommodating both straight and gay men.

Reasons for an increase in male interest and demand for such procedures appear to be due to a tough economy and increased competition in the job market, according to Dr. Rachel Reitan. However, despite the increased demand for men's cosmetic procedures, there is still stigma attached to seeking such treatments, and the majority of men prefer to keep their procedures under wraps.

The stigma associated with cosmetic procedures does not extend across all sexualities. While some straight men fear that their colleagues, friends and family may label their desire for noninvasive treatments as feminine behavior, reports have shown that men within the gay community view cosmetic surgery as an acceptable part of their lives.

Quick, Safe and Effective

The most common procedures for gay men are liposuction and upper and lower eyelid surgery, while straight men tend to avoid "going under the knife" and typically opt for nonsurgical procedures, according to theage.com.

Dr. Cynthia Elliott, owner of Skinspirations, has noticed a jump in the number of men seeking noninvasive procedures at her facility, with her most popular procedure being Botox injections - a trend which she says echoes previous studies, as many of her clients say the job market is to blame.

"Women have recovered nicely following the Great Recession, but men haven't fared as well," said Dr. Elliott. "The majority of my male patients come to me for quick procedures that have subtle results and require little downtime - they want to look younger while still maintaining their masculinity."

Dr. Elliott predicts that the beauty industry will begin offering services that cater exclusively to men, especially those who wish to keep their procedures under wraps. Because most men value privacy when seeking cosmetic procedures, Dr. Elliott suggests looking for an experienced practitioner who can get the job done quickly, while still obtaining great results.

"A majority of men are asking for a quick, safe and effective procedure that will enhance their appearance, but doesn't suggest that any work has been done," Dr. Elliott said. "A patient's confidentiality should be among the practitioner's main concerns."

3 Tips for Noninvasive Cosmetic Procedures

Dr. Elliott is a former emergency and trauma doctor with the experience and expertise to perform a wide array of nonsurgical procedures in her Tampa Bay cosmetic facility. With a practice devoted exclusively to cosmetic and laser procedures, Dr. Elliott is often sought out to perform Botox injections.

For men who are simply seeking noninvasive procedures for a quick rejuvenation, she offers three key tips to consider:

1. Look for a professional with experience with male clientele.
Most noninvasive options were designed with women in mind. Find an expert with extensive experience in treating men to avoid "feminine-looking" results.

2. Don't expect major or permanent changes. Noninvasive procedures typically require several treatments before seeing noticeable results, which often take days to become apparent and last only for a specified length of time.

3. Initiate a skin care routine.
Men often forego skin care, but establishing a routine based on individual skin type can go a long way in improving skin quality.