Probably the most common complaint I hear from men is that they are unhappy with how their body has changed as they’ve aged. Men often feel they have lost the toned body they once had in their youth and want to return to that more sculpted shape. However, as our body ages, certain areas can become more difficult to contour on our own. Love handles, abdominal fat, and even male breast tissue can be frustratingly difficult to lose with diet and exercise alone. Fortunately, science has developed amazing technologies that help us to assist patients in regaining a more sculpted appearance.
CoolSculpting
This cosmetic, non-surgical procedure is quickly becoming a favorite treatment among male patients. It’s easy to do – it requires little to no downtime, and can be done quickly in the comfort and privacy of our office as your schedule permits. The CoolSculpting device is an FDA approved treatment that uses cryolipolysis to literally “freeze” your fat cells. The technology utilizes suction to pull your fat in between two cooling plates. Within minutes the area being treated is numbed and patients can comfortably read, watch movies, listen to music, or even sleep while the device works its magic. Our body’s fat cells are extremely sensitive to cold, and as a result of the cool energy delivered from the machine, overtime those treated fat cells will crystallize and then be flushed out of the body through your lymphatic drainage pathways. In as little as 4-8 weeks post treatment, patients will see up to a 25% reduction of fat cells to the treated area, making it very appealing to men who want results without downtime. It is a great treatment for stubborn areas like love handles, abdomen, and even the chest (mild gynecomastia). It is one of the easiest, most simple options for male body contouring and fat reduction.
Liposuction
Liposuction is another great option for male patients who want a more contoured shape but need more volume reduction than what a treatment like CoolSculpting can give them. Whereas volume reduction with CoolSculpting can yield up to a 25% reduction to the treated area, Liposuction can yield as high as 70%, a big difference when dealing with larger, more stubborn pockets of fat. Liposuction techniques have greatly evolved over the last decade, reducing downtime and making the procedure much easier for patients start to finish. If you are considering other facial or body plastic surgery, liposuction can also be a simple and easy add on treatment for further contouring. Consult your physician about the best options for you depending on your specific goals.
As we come to a close on our Man Power blog series, the main takeaway that I hope you receive is that there are so many options for men (many more than what I’ve even discussed) when it comes to anti-aging. Venturing into skin care, wrinkle reduction, and body sculpting doesn’t have to be something that is taboo. It is completely natural to want to address signs of aging so that male or female, you feel confident at any age. I hope that these blogs have helped to provide you with some education so that you know your options and can explore the possibilities.