The first thing that may come to mind when the words “cosmetic surgery” are said or read is the face of an ethereal women of an undetermined age, thanks to her flawless skin and supple form. No matter what the reason a female client comes to me, the ultimate outcome is to attain a better version of herself, from the outside in. If she looks good, other good things will follow, as nobody will be focused on how old she looks.

While a generation ago, it was said “middle aged” men’s appearances were looked at as distinguished, this has changed as fitness; grooming and nutrition trends have evolved. Furthermore, ageism experienced by men may not be as new a thing as we thought. Former athletes are turning up in ads for diet programs, and men’s fashion trends are skewing younger. A decade ago, we started getting shows like, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Extreme Makeover, which made it a more mainstream concept for men to look into procedures to help them feeling at their prime. We have featured several male patients on our own television show, Doctor Lift:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z00abOyY4jQ&list=PL7FFAED8479A21633&index=30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUpJU32Gf1A&list=PL7FFAED8479A21633&index=25

Statistics certainly reflect this sea change in progress. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the number of cosmetic procedures for men has increased by more than 106% between 1997 and 2012.  Why? For some men, there’s a growing belief that their life — their professional life at least — could depend on this, as the economy fluctuates and looking young means staying competitive in the job market.

And we’re not just talking about actors and models. Men who consider themselves “regular guys” are facing a reality that in a job marketplace where looking fit, younger, and looking “more masculine” is an unspoken requirement instead of an option, the better your chances of getting a great job or advancing in your existing career.

In other words, image isn’t everything, but it could determine if you get in the door or advance, or in your social life, get (or keep) the girl.

Across the country, some corporate types are opting for so-called “Forbes Facelift,” consisting of a necklift, eyelift, jawline recontouring, and perhaps liposuction as well. And while we’re on the subject of Father’s Day, the “mommy makeovers” have begat “daddy-do overs,” for guys who are married with kids, and got so busy balancing work and home that they added 15 or 20 pounds. These men typically go for jawline recontouring, liposuction, and a small eyelift.

According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the most common cosmetic procedures for men are liposuction, rhinoplasty (nose job), eyelid surgery, gynescomastia (removal of breast tissue), and ear shaping. Here are some examples of what we offer our male patients.

1) Jawline Recontouring injects Juvederm (a hyaluronic acid) into the jaw and chin to make it more angular and strong. He also might choose to do the same thing on the cheekbones to augment facial structure and give more definition. Recovery time is less than 24 hours.

2) Liposuction (also known as “liposculpting”) typically takes away fat from around the abdomen so as to better show off muscles and abs. The healing process may often involve drainage tubes, compression garments, and antibiotics. Recovery time is estimated at two days, but we recommend you take it easy on the boot camp workouts and other strenuous activities for a month.

3) Once associated with body builders, the Gynescomastia procedure is for anyone who has extra fatty tissue around their pectoral muscles (or, in less tactful terms, “man boobs”). It’s achieved by liposuction and/or by removing excess glandular tissue, and is currently one of the biggest trends in male plastic surgery. Recovery time is two to three days.

4) Neck lift surgery literally gives you a higher profile, in the best way possible. The procedure gets rid of any loose skin or fat in the chin, so that it helps the jaw stand out and gets rid of any “jowls.” In this procedure, incisions are made around the ear lobe or behind the ears, and then the underlying muscles are tightened and excess fat is removed. Recovery time is five to seven days

5) Lower and Upper Eye Lifts (blepharoplasty) eliminate puffiness or drooping skin around the eyes so that they look more awake and you look younger. The procedure involves very minor incisions made in the natural eyelid creases, and recovery is five to seven days.

Interested to know if this is right for you? Call us and schedule a personal consultation today with dual board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Garo Kassabian at our Beverly Hills location.  Call: 310.285.0400 or visit http://www.liftmd.com

When it comes to re-obtaining that youthful glow, oxygen facials, treatments and products are all great ways to show your skin some extra love as well as a touch of instant gratification.

There are three things oxygen facials accomplish:

1. Rejuvenation: The oxygen diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while enhancing overall hydration.

2. Opulence: The application of the oxygen helps even skin tone and make your face look brighter and more luminous.

3. Clarity: Oxygen literally adjusts the climate of your skin, calming acne while restoring moisture balance and defending against future breakouts.

While the results of oxygen facials only last a few days, there are benefits to investing in one or several treatments. If you’re planning ahead for a wedding, class reunion or other significant event, you can be assured you will look your best on a particular day. If you buy a series of facials, you will see cumulative results over the course of your series.

One of our best-selling offerings is the The Jetsetter’s Oxygen Facial (http://www.liftmd.com/procedures-services/facials-peels), which is especially beneficial for those who travel frequently or have a lifestyle that involves extensive outdoor sports activity. This 50-minute treatment starts with a deep cleansing, exfoliation and light extraction followed by a cocktail of medical grade oxygen, poly-minerals, vitamins, Hyaluronic acid and peptides, which then stimulate the collagen production and to hydrate and nourish the skin. Unlike facials at traditional spas focused on pampering, this approach is more no-nonsense and results-oriented. Nevertheless, your skin will feel quite pampered for a number of reasons.

The key ingredients are the oxygen and hyaluronic acid, a molecule that is found naturally in skin, which attracts and binds moisture, helping skin look firmer and more hydrated. The device we use to administer the Jetsetter’s Oxygen Facial as well as our oxygen add-ons looks much like a makeup-artist’s airbrush gun. Not only does it have a lovely cooling sensation, but it also emits a continuous flow of 90 to 95 percent pure oxygen under hyperbaric pressure (compared to the 18 to 21 percent naturally in our environment). This is said to enhance the absorption of the serums so you theoretically get more benefit from the ingredients.

The process takes about 50 minutes, and to extend the results, we also offer products from our oxygenating skin care line that can be used at home and on the go (http://www.liftmd.com/skincare). These include Daily O2 Optimizing Crème, a silky, hydrating and firming moisturizer with Revitalin BT™, an oxygen accelerator that heightens cell respiration, promoting healthy, glowing skin; Overnight Oxy Complex, alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acid preparation is formulated with Revitalin BT™ and herbal extracts.

Although fillers and surgeries will have longer-lasting results, the benefit of investing in an oxygen facial or series with our office (or any other) is to test us out and see how we do things on a general basis. Also, if you’re not sure if you are ready for fillers, or simply want to perk up already healthy skin, the Oxygen facial is an excellent option.

You could truly say the oxygen facial truly is a breath of fresh air. It will be written all over your face!