Cosmetic procedures for men are gaining popularity.  While millions of people have some kind of cosmetic surgery every year, cosmetic surgery by women still far outnumbers the amount of procedures done on men. What the procedures seem to have in common, however, is that the most popular cosmetic surgeries performed on both genders are similar although they may rank differently.

The most common surgical cosmetic procedure for men is liposuction, but the most common procedure among men for purely cosmetic purposes is currently nose reshaping, better known as rhinoplasty. While botox injections seemed to be the most popular in 2007, nose reshaping has now taken over as the number one procedure for men with 75,000 men having this procedure done in 2008. Liposuction for men however is on the rise, moving up from the sixth most popular procedure overall in 2007 to the third most popular in 2008. Microdermabrasion, which is the removal of or lessening of dark spots or scars on the skin as well as the removal of sun damaged skin, was the third most popular cosmetic surgery among men in 2007, but is no longer in the top five.

Eyelid surgery has also become one of the most common procedures among men, with 31,000 men choosing this type of cosmetic surgery in 2008. While the cosmetic procedure of laser hair removal is still a popular one as well, it has declined since it had been the number two most common procedure performed on men in 2007 and was no longer in the top five in 2008.

18,000 men opted to have breast reduction surgery in 2008, making this the fourth most popular cosmetic surgery for men. Hyaluronic Acid, which is more commonly known as wrinkle smoothing, had been the fourth most popular in 2007 but has declined in number as well.

Hair transplantation had 13,000 men undergoing this procedure in 2008, making this the fifth most common cosmetic procedure for men. The removal of skin imperfections, better known as IPL laser treatment, was number five on the list in 2007, but other cosmetic surgeries have knocked this off of the top five list too.

Cosmetic procedures among men are on the rise, and leading the way in these types of surgeries are Asian-American men. This is the fastest growing ethnic group in the industry, with the most typical male in this group being in their forties.

For men considering any type of cosmetic surgery it is important to find a surgeon that is certified in their area of expertise by an appropriate board. The board should be recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Seeing your regular physician is also something that is recommended to make sure there are no predisposing characteristics that may increase the risk of any complications that could be caused from the result of the surgery.

The most common cosmetic procedures for men seem to change from year to year, but it appears liposuction has remained one of the most popular for a few years now. With more men getting different procedures done every day, it ‘s hard to tell what the most popular of these cosmetic surgeries will be in the future, but one thing is certain….More men are undergoing some type of cosmetic surgery than ever before.

A laser is a light. Objects absorb and reflect light to varying degrees. The darker the object, the more light it absorbs.  Consequently, the more light an object absorbs, the warmer that object becomes. This heat damages the hair follicle.

Melanin is the naturally occurring pigment-creating compound found in skin and hair. Due to the absorption properties of light, the best results for laser hair removal are seen in people with dark hair and fair skin. When laser hair removal first became available to the public, only people with dark hair and light skin were able to take advantage of the virtually painless hair removal technique. Technology has advanced since then, and there are now lasers that can help people with darker skin tones remove unwanted hair.

Laser hair removal is called “permanent” and some consumers will remove unwanted hair forever. Some consumers will experience long term hair removal, meaning after several successful treatments the consumer should enjoy months or years of limited or no hair growth. The consumer’s hair type and skin type will affect the outcome. A consultation with a laser hair removal professional can provide realistic outcome expectations.

Regardless of the skin type and hair color, laser hair removal will usually take four to six treatments to achieve optimum results. Laser hair removal is virtually painless; however, some consumers report a stinging sensation at the time of treatment. A cooling tip on the handheld laser device, cooling sprays, cooling gels, and/or local anesthetic help reduce this stinging, but most consumers tolerate the sensations of treatment very well.

There are minimal risks to laser hair removal, and it is considered a safe procedure. Eye protection is used during the treatment as a precaution. Some hairs and hair follicles may prove to be resistant to treatment. This can result in incomplete hair removal. Hair that grows back is typically finer and lighter in color and can usually be treated again. Darkening or lightening of the skin at the treatment site is a small risk and is typically temporary. Scarring and blistering of the skin occur very rarely and typically at the hands of a poorly trained technician. The risk of scarring associated with proper laser hair removal is lower than the risk of scarring seen with tweezers or electrolysis. Often there is some temporary redness at the site of the procedure that will fade in twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Before and after the treatment, it’s best to avoid tanning. A properly trained professional can help reduce all these risks.

Laser hair removal can be a relatively inexpensive and highly effective way of getting rid of “bad hair.”  Examining options and researching providers will lead to great results.

By Amy Nutt

Phototricholysis, also known as photoepilation or light-based hair removal, is the process of removing hair using light at a preset wavelength which is delivered to the skin using a hand-held device. The purpose of the device is to generate heat or mechanical damage to the hair follicle. One method that is becoming a popular choice for people who wish to remove excess hair is Laser Hair Removal

How Phototricholysis Works
Lasers emit a low-energy wavelength through the skin that is absorbed by melanin (dark pigment) which is located in the shaft of the hair follicle. Light is absorbed by dark matter, so the laser pulse can be absorbed by dark material in the skin. People who have experienced this form of method report that the laser pulses feel like the snapping of a rubber band or warm pinpricks against the skin. The normal response is vaporization of the hair shaft which kills and removes the hair. Minor swelling and redness around the hair follicle will appear shortly after treatment. Since hair goes through cycles as it grows, it is usually necessary to undergo repeat treatments.

Different types of lasers may be used. The ruby, alexandrite, and diode were the first lasers approved for hair reduction. The intense pulsed light (IPL) systems are another method that is commonly used. Lasers with longer wavelengths, such as the NdYAG lasers, have the ability to treat darker skin types including African-American skin.

Laser Hair Removal Advantages
There are a number of benefits to using laser treatment to remove unwanted hair. There are a number of people who have reported long-lasting hair removal and some who have reported permanent procedure. Laser treatment is also considered safe with very few side effects. A few reported side effects have included: slight pain, swelling around the hair follicle, and redness and inflammation lasting one to three days. Some patients have experienced long-lasting permanent hair reduction. This method is also considered safe when a professional has performed the procedure properly. It is very effective when used on large areas of excess hair growth. It has been shown that darker hair responds best to the laser because the pulse is absorbed by the dark elements.

Preparation for Treatment
Patients who choose laser removal will consult with a Dermatologist. The Dermatologist will make an assessment that includes skin type, location of the hair, hair thickness, color of the hair, past hair removal methods, any skin conditions such as psoriasis or rosacea, and any abnormal tissue. Patients will also be required to give their medical history.

Number of Sessions
The number of sessions depends on a variety of factors that can include: gender, area being treated, and hair texture. Coarse dark hair on light skin is much easier to treat. Finer hair and hair on darker skin is more difficult to treat. Normally, three or more treatments are required at each site to achieve optimum results.

Costs of Treatment
Although phototricholysis can be expensive, the results make it well worth the cost of each session. Costs will depend on the area being treated, the physician performing the treatment, the number of treatments. It is advised that patients consult with a dermatologist who will help them understand the prices. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the national average cost for laser hair removal is $429.00.

Laser Hair Removal has become a common practice for people who want to remove unwanted hair. With the right knowledge and planning, your hair removing experience can be as normal as any other daily care routine