The Cosmetic Surgery Blog

1) Companionate factors like sense of humor, romantic engagement, and other personality traits that make us feel someone would be a good match.

2) Resource indicators that show a person could help support us and any possible children.

3) Appearance factors that are used as a general indicator of our partner's genetic health.

As a general rule, men prioritize these factors 1-3-2. Women, 1-2-3. But what is commonly neglected is that we are ourselves constantly reassessing and self-appraising our own value to potential mates. This is why men suck in their guts when women walk by, and women straighten their posture in mixed company. Even if we're not actively seeking a mate, we still want to look our best.

And every morning when we look in the mirror, we are constantly assessing our own genetic health by looking at our face. Some of the most important factors in assessing genetic health are seen in the face. First, there is facial symmetry, which is universally a standard of beauty for men and women, and one that can decay over time as slight asymmetries in musculature and bone structure become more and more evident through uneven shaping of the skin's wrinkles. These wrinkles can often be corrected with facial plastic surgical procedures.

But an even more important appearance factor is overall skin health. And this is one that readily decays over time, leading to significant damage to our self-esteem. Fortunately, it is also one that is combated by a number of advanced cosmetic procedures. Two of the most common procedures for treating skin degradation caused by age are laser skin resurfacing and microdermabrasion, both of which give outstanding results, leaving your skin looking much healthier.

In large measure, looking good is feeling good.

According to the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the fastest-growing procedure from 2005-2006 was the pectoral implant.

Pectoral implants are the male equivalent of breast implants. While breast reduction remains one of the top five surgical procedures for men, more and more men are seeking to augment their chests.

The rigid silicone implants are harder than breast implants, giving the impression of muscle, not fatty tissue. They give solid definition to the chest.

Men who seek breast implants generally fit in two categories. First, some men have suffered from an injury or disfiguring disease that has caused their chest to be asymmetrical or underdeveloped. These men can get relief from their disfigurement through this cosmetic surgery procedure.

The other category of men are those who are unable to develop their chest muscles despite high levels of exercise or those men who are unwilling to devote time to exercise but nonetheless want a well-defined chest.

The growth in this procedure is probably due at least in part to advertising campaigns such as that for Bod Body Spray or Axe deodorant which cosmeticize the male body in a way similar to that commonly done to the female body. Previously, "beefcake" images were considered marginal, targeted to very specific segments of the female population, but recently they seem to have become more common.

If you're interested in consulting with a plastic surgeon about this or any other cosmetic surgery procedure, click here to get in touch with a qualified cosmetic surgeon in your area.