Baby Boomers are driving a new trend in plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures for men, Jacksonville's Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery says.

Surgical and cosmetic procedures for men are on the rise according to statistics recently released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Overall, cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in men jumped two percent in 2010 compared to 2009. However, the numbers were much higher when zeroing in on particular procedures. Facelifts for men led the charge, jumping an impressive 14 percent.

ASPS’s statistics show that men underwent more than 1.1 million cosmetic procedures, both surgical and minimally invasive. But six of the top ten procedures that men chose last year are surgical ones – a significant turnabout of the previous trend toward less invasive cosmetic treatments. Men increasingly are embracing plastic surgery as a way to remain competitive in the workplace, boost their confidence when it comes to dating, or simply to keep looking on the outside as young and active as they feel on the inside.

“Baby Boomers hitting retirement age are the new face of the male plastic surgery trend,” says Dr. Roberto Garcia of Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery near Jacksonville. “They’re still healthy, active and sharp minded. Those who are retiring are looking forward to enjoying all the free time they’ll have on their hands and want to look great doing it. Others feel they’ve got a few more years of competitiveness in them and are opting to delay retirement. Those guys know they’re competing with younger coworkers climbing the ladder, so they want to go head-to-head with them on all the factors that determine career success – including looks.”

For the best in cosmetic procedures, men in the Jacksonville area turn to Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery. Board certified plastic surgeons Drs. Phillip and Roberto Garcia specialize in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, plus a full battery of minimally invasive procedures designed to help you continue feeling confident and competitive. Call 904-247-8522 to schedule a consultation today.

Men’s Top Ten: Fastest-Growing Male Cosmetic Procedures (by percentage increase)

1. Facelift – 14% Increase
2. Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) – 11% Increase
3. Soft Tissue Fillers – 10% Increase
4. Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox) – 9% Increase
5. Liposuction – 7% Increase
6. Breast Reduction in Men – 6% Increase
7. Eyelid Surgery – 4% Increase
8. Dermabrasion – 4% Increase
9. Laser Hair Removal – 4% Increase
10. Laser Treatment of Leg Veins – 4% Increase

It’s a primary concern among women and men considering facial plastic surgery: scars. Despite the tens of thousands of successful facial plastic surgeries that happen daily, the thought of a mishap that leaves a scar is enough to hold many people back from the procedure that could improve their looks and dramatically boost their confidence.

Can you see the plastic surgery scar?

At Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery, we go the extra mile to assure each of our patients a beautiful new look with no visible plastic surgery scarring. We carefully plan the location and size of incisions to best hide them and give you all of the information you need to help prepare for and maintain a flawless look. For instance:

• Facelift incisions are placed in the natural creases of the face or within your hairline.
• Upper eyelid operations are performed through a tiny incision in the crease of the upper lid.
• Lower eyelid surgery incisions are made in the first crease just below the eyelashes or behind the eyelid.
• Browlifts employ small incisions behind the hairline and can be performed in a way that allows hair to grow through and hide the incision.
• Cheek and chin implants are performed via incisions made inside the mouth.
• Rhinoplasty incisions are almost always are located inside the nose and, rarely, in the crease at the bottom of the nose.
• Otoplasty (ear pinning) incisions are located in the crease behind the ear – never in front of the ear.

It’s important to note, however, that your surgeon’s efforts to minimize plastic surgery scars largely depend on you. Your diet, lifestyle and skincare regimen can help assure a smooth new look. If you’re considering facial plastic surgery, we recommend a healthy, balanced diet that includes plenty of water and fresh fruits and vegetables. If you’re a smoker, stop now! Minimize your alcohol intake, get plenty of exercise and restorative sleep, and take care of your skin. Cleanse and moisturize your skin with a high SPF moisturizer daily.

Browse our image gallery to see how we’re able to hide and minimize our patients’ plastic surgery scars, then contact us at (904)247-8522 to schedule a consultation.

If you’re wondering about ear surgery, Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute has answers to all your questions. Formally referred to as “otoplasty” and often called “ear pinning,” cosmetic ear surgery is designed to change the appearance of your external ears. Most often, the surgery is performed on patients who feel their ears too noticeably protrude away from their scalps. When this is the case, an ear surgery procedure reshapes the cartilage in a way that brings the ear closer to the scalp.

However, other reasons for otoplasty exist, including genetic disorders such as Treacher Collins syndrome, hemifacial microsomia and Stahl’s deformity (known as “Spock ear”); and traumatic ear injuries caused by car crashes, fights or dog bites, for instance. Reconstructive or cosmetic ear surgery can involve moving, reshaping, adding or removing ear elements.

Before and after photos of an otoplasty procedure by Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery. Click the image to see more patient photos.

Otoplasty was first developed in ancient India around 600 BC and often was used to reconstruct ears that had been amputated as a punishment for crimes. Those same early procedures form the basis for the very procedures that are performed today. The most common ear surgery procedures involve removing excess cartilage from the center back of the ear, then reconnecting the ear closer to the scalp using absorbable sutures. In pediatric ear surgery, Jacksonville surgeons typically perform the procedure under general anesthesia. Adults are treated under local or twilight anesthesia. Immediately following the procedure, patients wear headbands that keep their ears in place 24 hours a day for three weeks. And most are able to resume normal athletic activity within two weeks following ear surgery.

Jacksonville’s Drs. Phillip Garcia and Roberto Garcia focus exclusively on facial reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. Otoplasty is a specialty for them, so rest assured that you are in the best of hands. To discuss your ear surgery, contact Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute at (904) 247-8522.