Is Bro-tox a Thing?

For decades, plastic surgery and Botox were just trends associated with women. However, it seems that the tables have turned, and more men are seeking procedures to reverse aging skin. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), since 2000, the number of males receiving Botox treatments has jumped 310 percent. The increased demand for cosmetic dermatology for males can be attributed to the potent powers of social media, i.e. the pressure to look good in selfies, and the desire for instant validation via ‘likes’ and shares. Although experts believe there are other contributing factors.

One dermatologist told CNBC news that he thinks the “youth obsessed culture” is the culprit. Typically, start-ups feature young twenty-somethings as a part of their branding, and older folks are eager to fit in with the rest of the crowd. Concerns about ageism in the workplace have pushed men approaching middle age to erase any traits that might indicate that they’re older than their colleagues.

President of the ASPS, Debra Johnson, MD, told the news organization that it’s only in the last 10 to 20 years that men have taken an interest in how they present themselves physically. She says that eyelid tucks, liposuction, softening wrinkles, and eliminating the “fatty deposit under the neck” are common procedures that men seek out.

Michael Eidelman, MD, Medical Director of Chelsea Skin & Laser told GQ that 40 percent of his clients are male. He’s marketing Botox for men as “bro-tox,” and considers the movement to just be about men wanting to take “care of their bodies”. His treatments feature wrinkle and fillers like Restylane, Sculptra, and Juvéderm, and laser treatments to eliminate sun damage and blotchy skin.

So will the bro-tox trend last? As long as the job market remains competitive, it doesn’t show signs of stopping.