Researchers have proposed a new facelift technique which would be suitable for bald men. In a traditional facelift procedure, the scars are often placed on the hairline. However, in the case of bald men, there is no hairline to hide the facelift scars, posing a real issue for cosmetic surgeons.
The new technique, highlighted in the January issue of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, will hide the scars behind the outline of the ears. Here, we’ll look at this new technique and the rise in male cosmetic surgery.
What is the new proposed technique?
The new proposed technique would involve making a smaller incision just above the ear. Although the incision is shorter than the one used in the conventional method, it still allows the surgeon access to the deeper tissues.
After trialling the new technique, the researchers claim it has been successful in creating practically invisible scarring. This is because the outline of the ear naturally hides the shorter incision.
There was a total of 68 men included in the study, with an average age of 55. They completed a questionnaire at least one year after they underwent the surgery to assess the effectiveness of the procedure, alongside satisfaction levels. Both patients and experts rated the outcomes as consistently good.
None of the patients had any complications and satisfaction scores were 8.6 for facial appearance and 7.9 for scar satisfaction. No patients involved in the study suffered any major complications. Just three required a minor procedure to improve the scar’s quality.
Understanding the benefits
As well as hiding the facelift scar, the new technique also delivers a few other benefits.
The recovery time is shortened due to the less invasive surgery. As the incision is smaller, it doesn’t take as long to heal. So, as well as enhanced aesthetic benefits, this new technique also reduces the amount of time patients need to take off work.
Male cosmetic surgery is on the rise
Over the past few years, male cosmetic surgery has seen a dramatic increase. Long gone are the days where men didn’t care about ageing. These days, men feel just the same pressures as women to look younger.
There are a few procedures which are more common in men, such as liposuction. However, facial rejuvenation procedures are the most popular. This includes brow lifts, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery and facelifts.
Social media has also played a role in male cosmetic surgery. Sites such as Instagram, have seen an increase in male models, much in the same way there has been a rise in female models dominating social media. There are also issues in the workplace, with men feeling they need to look younger to get ahead in their careers.
Overall, male cosmetic surgery shows no signs of slowing down in popularity. This new facelift technique is ideal for bald men, resulting in hidden scarring. Hair loss is something which affects the majority of men as they age, and traditional facelift techniques can be unsuitable due to visible scarring left over. For more advice on the facelift procedure and what scarring you can expert, call 02380 764969.
