Many dermatologists across the nation are seeing a boost in their male clientele who seek laser hair removal as technology has advanced. Initial laser hair removal could only comfortably manage small areas, such as the underarms or bikini line. However, lasers with larger target areas are making it feasible to remove hair from areas commonly of concern to men, such as the chest and back.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae, characterized by irritation of the skin and in-grown hairs, is a common condition in men that can be well treated by laser hair removal. Improvement is often noted after just one treatment, with several treatments usually yielding long lasting results.

Laser hair removal is just as effective for men as it is for women, and many men are turning to their dermatologist for hair removal rather than spending money on shaving, waxing, trimming hair. If you’re interested in laser hair removal, contact Dr. Zimmet’s office.

Recently released data shows that a slow economy isn’t dragging down cosmetic procedures anymore, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, or ASAPS. In 2010, cosmetic surgeries jumped by 9% compared to 2009, with about 9.5 million procedures overall for the year. And the momentum shows no signs of stopping—in fact, since 1997, surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures combined have witnessed a 155% increase.

ASAPS’s report, which is released yearly, consisted of statistics regarding plastic surgery, dermatology, and ENT medicine. The most popular non-surgical procedures included Botox (over 2.5 million procedures), cosmetic fillers, and laser hair removal.

Here are some other interesting statistics from the ASAPS report:

• Abdominoplasty, or “tummy tucks,” have increased in popularity by 300% since 1997.
• Adults ages 35-50 were the most likely to have undergone a cosmetic procedure.
• Men’s cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly popular; in 2010, men accounted for 8% of cosmetic procedures.

Perhaps the growth in cosmetic procedures is related to the results of a recent survey, which revealed that more than half of Americans approve of plastic surgery for cosmetic ends. About 70% of the individuals surveyed reported that they would not be embarrassed about having a procedure for cosmetic reasons.

Photo Credit: Vanz

As of February 2011, the unemployment rate for adult men was 8.7%.  With more male candidates fighting over fewer job opportunities, landing work in today’s economy is more than a resume boasting professional experience and a college degree. Economists Daniel Hamermesh and Jeff Biddle discovered that attractive men and women enjoy hourly earnings 5% higher than those with average looks in a paper entitled, “Beauty and the Labour Market”.  Simply put, looking good pays.

In 2010, 1.1 million cosmetic procedures were performed on men according to a recent report released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  The number of cosmetic procedures is up 2% from 2009 and experts believe fierce job market competition is driving men to seek everything from Botox to chemical peels to CoolSculpting ™.  Men in their forties, fifties, and sixties are getting passed over for job raises that are going to their younger colleagues.

Below are the five most popular male minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures for 2010:

1. Botox (337,000)

2. Laser Hair Removal (165,000)

3. Microdermabrasion (158,000)

4. Chemical Peel (90,000)

5. Soft Tissue Fillers (78,000)

Males account for 5-10% of patients Dr. Zimmet sees each year, with the number of visits growing.  The top reasons male patients seek out Dr. Zimmet are Zeltiq Coolsculpting ™ fat removal treatment, Botox and pulsed light rejuvenation.

Women are quick to forget that men, too, are judged by their appearance and physique.  Whether a trimmer waistline, a wrinkle-free forehead, or a rejuvenated face, a more youthful appearance has been proven to boost a man’s salary level, self-esteem, and love life.

Photo:  Noii