4 Ways Men and Women Approach Dermal Fillers Differently

There is no doubt that men constitute one of the fastest-growing segments of the cosmetic procedure population.  This is particularly true for procedures which require minimal or no downtime.  Recently, according to Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Schusterman, this issue has been highlighted with the growing popularity of dermal fillers and Botox injections among men.  They are now turning to these options as a way to look younger and remain competitive in the job market.  While there are obvious and anatomical differences which will lead to different cosmetic goals and treatment methods, the surprising difference is the behavior of men compared to women throughout the process.

Women Are Perfectionists

One of the driving forces behind the influx of men looking into dermal fillers and Botox in Houston is the competitive workplace.  It has long been considered an asset to look younger, which is particularly important for men as they tend to age quicker once they reach their late 30’s.  Since men focus on their overall appearance rather than the specific treatment area, they are less likely to expect perfection from the target area.  On the other hand, women are traditionally more aesthetically driven which makes a focused perfection their goal.

Men Are More Risk Averse

In most cases, men will favor treatments with minimal or no downtime which limits their options.  At the same time, they are generally less educated about the different cosmetic procedures available which naturally makes them more risk averse.  This significantly decreases the chances they will try new procedures without a long, in-depth consultation.

Another reason men tend to be more risk averse is because they are less specific about their goals than women are.  Without a clear set of goals, the perceived benefits does not seem as significant whereas the potential risks are magnified.  Since women are often more educated about cosmetic procedures and understand all of the options available to them, they are more willing to accept some risk in order to meet a very specific goal related to how they want their appearance to be altered.

Men and Women Focus on Different Areas of Their Face When Using Dermal Fillers

Men primarily focus on three different areas of their face when considering a dermal filler treatment.  Currently, the major focal point of filler injections for men is the lower face.  They tend to use filler injections along the mandible to strengthen the jaw line and make the chin more prominent.  Another popular treatment is injecting material into the forehead, above the eyebrows, to make the forehead more prominent.

The most popular area of injection for women is the cheeks and lips.  While men will sometimes use filler augmentation of the cheeks to provide structure, they avoid lip augmentation completely.  Being risk averse, this shouldn’t come as a surprise.  The cheeks and lips are the two areas which will quickly feminize a man’s face if the procedure is done incorrectly.  In most cases, this would result from adding too much dermal filler, giving the cheeks and lips a rounder more voluptuous look.

Men Are Less Likely to Choose Procedures Which Require Maintenance or Multiple Sessions

A final notable difference between men and women is the likelihood of choosing a treatment which will require multiple sessions.  Just as men prefer minimally invasive procedures, they also prefer to avoid future visits.  This has made combination treatments particularly popular among men.  On the other hand, women are much more willing to undergo a treatment which requires multiple sessions.  In fact, many men will not even schedule a follow-up visit to assess the safety issues and results of their procedure whereas women are more than happy to follow-up for any necessary touch-ups.