Why Is Rejuvenation On the Rise for Men
It’s hard to believe there once was a time when men dressed like men. They wore wigs, stockings, makeup, and they understood the importance of appearance at the office as well as at home. These men couldn’t be bothered with the effects of aging. They had already used their ingenuity to ensure they appeared vivacious and unwavering whether they were fighting a revolutionary war or posing for an oil painting. Where are these men today? Where are the men who are keen to the fact that appearance is a major factor in one’s overall quality of life? This is isn’t narcism. This is an honest and practical look at how society values physical appearance, and how it affects our daily lives regardless of gender identity. To learn more about the current trends in styling and enhancements of male appearance we went to interview one of the New York’s foremost experts on the subject: a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Konstantin Vasyukevich, MD
The sweeping changes on the male grooming front in the past ten years have thankfully emancipated products and surgeries from the social untouchables list. In fact, it is extremely difficult accurately to specify where today’s male makes these purchases because so much is purchased on the down-low. The greater variety of products of late has resulted in men building up a larger and more comprehensive list. Chances are that he now shops around and buys what he appears to be the best offer and the most discreet.
As the work force ages, the international man of today is concerned with how his face and skin appear to others in the workplace. Today, there is a distinct tendency for us to appear fresh faced. The phenomenal boom in men’s grooming and facial procedures in recent years has had its own poignant message to the business community. And although many men may be accused of making the decision too late, they have wasted no time in catching up on the subject. It is simply a matter of common sense.Today In: ForbesLife
So where are those men, you ask? Well, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (no need for a link), over 1.3 million of them were recipients of aesthetic procedures in just 2017 alone. That’s a 28% increase since the year 2000, and the numbers are only continuing to grow. Slowly but surely more and more men (and women) are coming to realize that cosmetic services are not a matter of vanity, but rather, a method of survival in a world that places overwhelming emphasis on one’s physical features. You may already be happy with the way you look, as everyone should if they could be so lucky, but as important as the way you see yourself is to your mental wellbeing, the way others see you can have equally profound effects on your fiscal wellbeing. For instance, one may feel well rested and full of energy on the inside, but what their colleagues, subordinates, and superiors see are the deep bags under their eyes which make them look permanently fatigued and tired of work. Similarly, someone may be a generally warm and amicable person but their involuntarily furrowed brows make them appear stern and unapproachable. Now, that may very well be the desired impression sought by some people, but it’s safe to say that most of us would rather be admired and thought kindly of than feared or distrusted. We all want to look our best whenever possible, and especially when appearing in front of those who directly affect our livelihoods and passions. Adequate rest, healthy diet, fine clothing, and surface level cosmetics can do wonders, but after time takes its toll and age becomes a more visible presence in one’s life, facial rejuvenation becomes the only viable method left for maintaining a natural edge and charm over others.
So where are those men, you ask? Well, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 1.3 million of them were recipients of aesthetic procedures in just 2017 alone. That’s a 28% increase since the year 2000, and the numbers are only continuing to grow. Slowly but surely more and more men (and women) are coming to realize that cosmetic services are not a matter of vanity, but rather, a method of survival in a world that places overwhelming emphasis on one’s physical features. You may already be happy with the way you look, as everyone should if they could be so lucky, but as important as the way you see yourself is to your mental wellbeing, the way others see you can have equally profound effects on your fiscal wellbeing. For instance, one may feel well rested and full of energy on the inside, but what their colleagues, subordinates, and superiors see are the deep bags under their eyes which make them look permanently fatigued and tired of work. Similarly, someone may be a generally warm and amicable person but their involuntarily furrowed brows make them appear stern and unapproachable. Now, that may very well be the desired impression sought by some people, but it’s safe to say that most of us would rather be admired and thought kindly of than feared or distrusted. We all want to look our best whenever possible, and especially when appearing in front of those who directly affect our livelihoods and passions. Adequate rest, healthy diet, fine clothing, and surface level cosmetics can do wonders, but after time takes its toll and age becomes a more visible presence in one’s life, facial rejuvenation becomes the only viable method left for maintaining a natural edge and charm over others.
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And so, with all the benefits of plastic surgery and other facial rejuvenation services, it’s easy to see why a growing number of men are catching up to the trend. As more men learn the secrets that women have always known, we find ourselves closer to rediscovering the revered man of yore. We may not have the wigs and wooden teeth (thank God) but that’s only because we’ve advanced, and the contemporary man fights his battles not with a sword but with a suave smile. He is poised and dignified with the wisdom of age, yet vibrant and attractive like the energy of youth.
I recently has the privilege of speaking with Dr. Konstantin Vasukevich about the dress for success competitive advantage in the men’s cosmetic and facial procedures, why it is important for a man of a certain age to see a plastic surgeon with respect to his appearance and corporate ascension and what is the biggest concern with men as far as their appearance, or lack thereof, with respect to work appearance?
Joseph DeAcetis: Talk to Forbes about the history, launch date and DNA of your brand?
Konstantin Vasukevich, MD: I am a board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon and a facelift expert based on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. In over ten years of my practice he performed over 2,000 cosmetic surgeries and was named among New York Top Doctor’s by Castle Connolly. I hold a rank of Assistant Clinical Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and serve as a faculty at the professional of the national conferences dedicated to facial rejuvenation.
Joseph DeAcetis: In your words, what is your competitive advantage in the men’s cosmetic and facial procedures?
Konstantin Vasukevich, MD: I have a busy facial rejuvenation practice in the heart of Manhattan. As a well recognized expert in facelifts work with many busy professionals seeking to halt and reverse the aging changes. As a pioneer of “three layer neck contouring technique” I am particularly adept at rejuvenation of the heavy neck. This makes my practice the first choice for many men looking to improve and rejuvenate their appearance.
Joseph DeAcetis: In your words, why is it important for a man of a certain age to see a plastic surgeon with respect to his appearance and corporate ascension?
Konstantin Vasukevich: For better or worse, we live and work in a youth oriented corporate culture. Often times younger people are considered to be more energetic, they are thought of being willing to put in longer hours and being better equipped to withstand grueling work schedule. And even though many of these notions could be quite inaccurate or even outright false, one can not overstate the benefit of looking youthful to enhance their prospects in corporate ascension.
Joseph DeAcetis: Talk to Forbes in detail about facial procedures and how the clients feel afterwards?
Konstantin Vasukevich: The most effective facial rejuvenation procedure for men is a face and neck lift. The procedure is able to reverse the signs of facial aging by elevating the sagging facial tissue back to it’s original position. The excess skin is then excised through the incision placed around the ears. The procedure typically takes from 2-4 hour to complete and the healing process usually requires taking 1-2 weeks off work.
Joseph DeAcetis: What is the biggest concern with men as far as their appearance or lack thereof with respect to work appearance?
Konstantin Vasukevich, MD: Aging process in men often times manifests itself in the neck before involving the face. “Turkey neck” is a not so kind term that is often used to describe the skin laxity that develops under the chin with age. This sagging neck appearance is only exacerbated by a formal “short and tie” attire that is required of nearly everyone in a corporate world. A tight color of a proper buttoned up shirt makes that aging neck all but impossible to hide.
Joseph DeAcetis: Have you seen an increase in men’s cosmetic surgery? If so, what is the reason for the uptick?
Konstantin Vasukevich, MD: Today, cosmetic surgery is on the rise across all groups and demographics. However, the uptick in men’s plastic surgery is often times related to the possibility of the upcoming recession or economic slowdown. When the job market becomes unfavorable and businesses and corporations start looking to cut cost in preparation for a possible slowdown this is the time when many men feel that looking their best is critically important. A facelift, of course, is not a substitute for ones expertise or years of hard work and experience, however with other things being equal looking youthful can give one a significant competitive advantage in the workplace.
Joseph DeAcetis: You have the floor: Talk to my viewers about the reasons why cosmetic surgery is important with respect to business?
Konstantin Vasukevich, MD: When man’s face starts to age, often times it begins to appear tired and the person is perceived by everyone around as lacking energy. One may feel full of energy on the inside, but the outward appearance of the aging face might be sending the opposite message to your boss or your employer. Facial rejuvenation surgery is unable give one more energy, of course, but it is quite capable of making the outward appearance match how one feels on the inside.
Joseph DeAcetis: What will co-workers notice when a gentleman returns from a facial procedure?
Konstantin Vasukevich, MD: “Seems like you had a nice vacation: you look so well rested!” These might be the most common words that coworkers greet a gentleman returning from a facial cosmetic procedure. With modern facelift techniques hardly anyone attributes rejuvenated look to a cosmetic procedure.
Joseph DeAcetis: What is your best advice to a man who is thinking about a procedure but is timid about the initial steps to contact you?
Konstantin Vasukevich, MD: My advise would be to bring along a female friend that is interested in Botox or facial filler treatment. This way most attention will be on your friend and you, as an outside observer, will be able to evaluate doctor’s skills and expertise without making any commitments or placing yourself in a situation where you might feel out of your element. Once aquatinted with the surgeon it would be fairly easy to casually ask for their advise about the best facial rejuvenation procedure for yourself.
