The beauty world has long been a domain reserved for the female population, with countless products and cosmetic treatments designed to help women feel refreshed, renewed and rejuvenated as the ageing process takes hold. But with the rise of ‘manscaping' and various other kinds of male grooming, cosmetic enhancement procedures for men are now seeing as much of the spotlight as female-specific treatments, offering results that can enhance, define and sculpt the male form.

Body

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)

This type of surgery can create a smoother, flatter stomach with repaired abdominal muscles and can also be used to sculpt a ‘six pack'. An incision is made across the lower abdomen, then excess skin and fat is removed and the stomach muscles are tightened. The navel is repositioned when the skin is re-stretched over the stomach and a large scar is created across the lower abdomen. A firm strap or surgical garment and drain are normally worn for a day afterwards, then replaced with a compression garment for several weeks. Most patients need around three weeks off work for recovery.

Liposuction

Liposuction aims to remove volumes of fat from areas of the body that are typically unaffected by diet and exercise including the abdomen, waist, buttocks, under chin area and neck. Fatty deposits are suctioned out through small incisions using a cannula, which is often energy assisted to break up the fatty tissues more easily. Liposuction can be performed as a day surgery and patients can usually return to work after about one week, although bruising may last for several weeks and swelling for up to around two months.

Hi-Def Liposuction

Whereas traditional liposuction aims to remove large amounts of fat, Hi-Def liposuction is able to work in the superficial layers of fat underneath the skin to sculpt or ‘etch' the appearance of the underlying muscle structure. An ultrasonic cannula is used to suction the fat, which is designed to cause minimal damage to the surrounding tissues and blood vessels. This procedure is commonly performed on the abdomen but can also be performed on the arms, chest and outer-abdominal areas. Because the goal of the procedure is create the appearance of muscle definition instead of removing large volumes of fat, a different consultation process is carried out so that the surgeon can understand how the individual's muscle structure works, and consequently how it should appear on the outside. Patients typically wear a binding garment for about a month and a different, less constricting garment for a month after that. Final results can are usually fully visible six months after the procedure.

Body implants

Body implants can be used to enhance the appearance of the buttocks, biceps, calves, face, pectorals, penis and triceps. They are also used on patients who have had previous surgery, injury or disease and lack volume in the affected areas. The implant is inserted either above or below the muscle depending on the target area and the anatomy of the individual patient.

Penis enlargement

This procedure can lengthen the penis by up to 5cm and widen it by up to 2cm. With lengthening surgery, a low abdominal incision is made and ligaments are cut at the base of the penis. Fat grafts are taken from the waist or buttocks and are inserted under the skin of the penis to widen it. Patients can take around six months to fully recover, and sexual intercourse should be avoided for at least six weeks. The results are permanent.

Non-surgical facial rejuvenation

Intense pulsed light (IPL)

IPL can be used to smooth fine lines, even skin tone, treat broken capillaries and improve the appearance of sun damage. It uses multiple wavelengths of light to target specific chromophores (light-receptive cells) in the skin. Several treatments are required for the best results and there is typically little to no down time involved.

Laser resurfacing

Typically used for more severe cases than IPL, Lasers can be used to treat lines and wrinkles, sun damage and pigmentation by removing the outermost layer of damaged skin and encouraging the production of new collagen. Modern laser treatments typically involve a fractionated laser beam, which is broken up into columns as it delivered to the face. This technique reduces the downtime and adverse effects of the treatment without sacrificing the quality of the results, which typically include smoother, more even-toned skin. Redness and swelling lasts a few days after treatment in most cases, which is often soothed with an additional pre-prescribed in-clinic facial. Laser resurfacing can be used on the entire face and body in most cases, as well as the delicate area under the eyes. For more severe concerns, carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing treatments can treat scarring and deep pigmentation but usually involve more adverse side effects and longer recovery time.

Thread lifting

While not strictly non-surgical, thread lifting is a minimally invasive procedure to lift sagging facial tissues and create a more youthful appearance. Textured threads inserted under the skin are used to lift sagging tissues, particularly in the mid-face and neck areas. The threads are inserted in the skin through small incisions made above the hairline while the patient is under local anaesthetic. The procedure takes about 90 minutes and requires around a week of recovery time for the threads to settle into place. Traditionally using tiny barbed metal threads, thread lifting is now generally performed using dissolvable threads that are reabsorbed by the body, leaving the ‘lifted' effect in place. Results can last one to several years depending on the area of the face treated and how many threads are used.

Anti-wrinkle injections

Wrinkle relaxant injections are used to treat dynamic wrinkles such as frown lines, crow's feet and marionette lines that result from repeated muscle contraction. These injections like Botox and Dysport use botulinum toxin and can also be effective for chin creases and the horizontal wrinkles in the lower part of the front of the neck, commonly experienced by men. Patients can typically return to work straight after treatment and results are seen after around four days. Repeated treatment is necessary after about three to five months in most cases.

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers, sub-dermal fillers and fat transfer are used to treat static wrinkles, which are caused by ageing, repetitive muscle movement and loss of facial volume. There is a wide range of dermal fillers available, designed for different depths underneath the skin depending on the target concern - typically softer fillers are used superficially under the surface of the skin to soften wrinkles, and more dense fillers are used in the deeper levels to restore volume. Their longevity depends on the specific formulation the activity of the treated area. Fat transfer is known as a longer-lasting option where the patient's own fat is harvested and injected into the face, often during a concurrent surgical procedure.

Facial surgery

Facelift

A facelift is used to tighten the skin and the muscles of the face, chin and neck, with results lasting around seven to 10 years. Incisions are made behind the hairline and around the ear, and excess facial fat is removed and muscles are tightened. Swelling and bruising may last a few weeks and full recovery may take up to three months.

Endoscopic brow lift

This procedure lifts the tissues of the forehead and brow, with ‘endoscopic' referring to the use of a small telescope inserted through incisions behind the hairline as a visual guide for the surgeon to ensure minimal scarring. The small muscles of the forehead that cause frown lines are weakened, causing these lines to be significantly reduced. The results can last about 10 years, although normal ageing does continue to take effect. Swelling and bruising can last up to two weeks and full recovery can take up to around six weeks.

Facial implants

Facial implants used to correct sunken cheeks, a receding chin or enhance the jaw can create structural balance in the face and are often used to make a face appear more masculine. Sometimes implant surgery can result in numbness in the area treated, but this usually subsides. Facial implant surgery can result in swelling and bruising for several days, making talking and eating difficult until the patient is fully recovered. Normal activities can usually be resumed after around four to seven days, and the results are permanent unless the implant is removed.

Teeth

Cosmetic dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry can correct and restore discoloured, crooked or missing teeth, and can also protect the teeth from further wear and tear. Veneers and crowns can be used to fix chipped teeth and realign the smile, and are also used when teeth-whitening treatments are insufficient to correct severe discolouration. Recovery time is usually minimal, and results can be dramatic, immediate and permanent. Dental implants involve a more invasive surgical procedure to replace missing teeth, with extended visits and recovery time. Teeth bleaching can also be used to whiten discoloured teeth, performed in-clinic and often involving a take-home kit to extend the results.

Nose

Nose surgery (rhinoplasty)

Rhinoplasty can be performed to correct a variety of issues, from asymmetry and disfigurements as a result of injury to concerns regarding the size, width, angle and tip of the nose and nostrils. The procedure is performed by either the open-structure technique, when the incision is at the base of the nose, or closed, when the incisions are inside the nose. The technique chosen depends on the type of concern and the preference of the surgeon, with swelling and bruising usually subsiding within seven to 10 days. The results are permanent and may not be fully evident until a year after the procedure.

Non-surgical rhinoplasty

With the advent of longer-lasting dermal fillers, some nose defects can be corrected non-surgically by injecting filler to build up, even out and refine the nose. The technique is most commonly used to treat a prominent bump on the bridge of the nose, which is corrected by injecting the filler above and below the hump to create a straight and even appearance, but can also be used to ‘lift' the tip of the nose when the filler is injected at the base. The technique is also used to fill crevices or dints resulting from sports injuries, and is also particularly suitable Asian patients who wish to build up the upper bridge between the eyes. Patients experience little to no downtime, with minimal bruising and swelling, and results are typically long lasting.

Ears

Ear correction (otoplasty)

An otoplasty seeks to correct prominent ears by ‘repositioning the ears closer the scalp. A thin strip of skin is removed behind the ear and the middle cartilage layer is folded back and secured in position. The ears are wrapped for a week and are typically swollen for a few weeks after the procedure. Normal activities can be resumed in around one to two weeks and the results are permanent.

Hair

Hair transplants

Mini-grafts, micro-grafts and follicular grafts can be used to produce natural-looking, thicker hair. Tiny segments of hair-bearing skin are transferred from the permanent fringe area at the back of the head to the target bald area for permanent results. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia in a series of sessions, which can take up to three hours depending on the number of grafts transferred. Some men can return to work the day after treatment.

Hair removal

Hair reduction laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments treat unwanted hair growth on areas such as the chest and back. A laser or light beam targets the follicle of the hair to destroy it at the base. Around six treatments are needed to remove thin hair, depending on the area to be treated and the individual patient. The treatment involves mild discomfort and results are long-term.

Finasteride

Finasteride is a type of medication used to treat male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) at the crown and in the middle of the scalp. Finasteride works by decreasing the amount of Dihydrotestosterone DHT, a natural body hormone, which leads to increased hair regrowth and stunted hair loss. The medication is typically taken orally once daily and results are usually seen after about three months of regular use. Finasteride is not suitable for women or children, and should not be taken by or exposed to pregnant women.