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Gender Differences
in Facial Cosmetic Surgery
Now that men are increasingly choosing
to have cosmetic facial surgery, it is important to
be aware that there are important differences in the
ideal surgical techniques appropriate for men and women,
impacting the appearance and masculinity of the face
following facial cosmetic plastic surgery.
The most obvious difference in male
and female facial plastic surgery lies in the difference
in structure and proportions in the ideal face. Although
most facial procedures are performed basically the same
way for men and women, certain characteristics are typical
of a masculine appearance. These include prominent cheekbones
and a more projecting chin.
Another critical and less obvious
area is the eyebrow. Ideally, men's eyebrows, sit atop
the supraorbital ridge (the bone ridge just above your
eye sockets), and are relatively straight. Ideal women's
eyebrows sit slightly above the supraorbital ridge and
are more arched.
The primary cause of increased complications
in male facial surgery is an increased risk of hematoma
(blood collection under the skin). This is due to men's
richer blood supply in the face, which supplies nutrients
to men's facial hair (beards). For this reason, more
post-operative bruising, compared to women, is also
to be expected.
Facial hair is also one of the most
important differences between plastic surgery for men
and women. Some men may find that they must shave in
new areas where skin has been repositioned, such as
if skin from the under the neck is pulled back further
towards the ears. Many men experience baldness or a
receding hairline, making facelift and browlift incisions
much more difficult to hide. Incisions should be strategically
placed along natural creases in the face and in the
hair, when possible. In addition, any scars or bruising
are much more difficult for men to conceal, since they
do not wear make up and cannot usually restyle their
hair to cover incision.
With facial liposuction, older men often obtain better
results than like-aged women. Men have firmer, more
vascular fat which responds better to liposuction. In
addition, they tend to retain their skin elasticity
longer than women, which is one of the most important
factors in a speedy post-operative recovery and an aesthetically
pleasing appearance.
With more and more studies
showing the direct correlation between attractiveness,
youth and workplace success, it is no surprise that
cosmetic surgery is losing its stigma as being mostly
for women. Understanding gender differences will help
ensure a desirable outcome.
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