Male Vanity Shows in Cosmetic Procedures

There’s a growing trend in cosmetic treatments among men: sclerotherapy. The procedure, which has been around since the 1930s, is used to diminish the appearance of varicose and spider veins. Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a solution (usually saline) directly into the problematic veins. The solution virtually kills the affected veins, causing them to disintegrate over time.

According to a recent story by NewBeauty Magazine, sclerotherapy has seen an overwhelming boost in popularity among men. The number of men seeking the treatment over the past five years has risen over 200
percent! According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, more men are now increasingly opting to treat their unsightly leg veins instead of selecting the once-popular hair transplants.

This isn’t the first time there has been a boost in cosmetic treatments among men. Time Magazine reported that between 2001 and 2007 the number of men using Botox® nearly tripled. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), men currently make up 9% of plastic surgery patients, with Botox® being the most popular minimally invasive treatment.

Perhaps the growth in cosmetic surgery among men has to do with its growing prevalence in the media. Some even suggest that between the recession and competitive job market, men are seeking out cosmetic enhancements to maintain a competitive edge.

As with any cosmetic treatment, it is important to have sclerotherapy and Botox® injections performed under the supervision of a board-certified plastic surgeon.