Because of the stiff job competition and the growing number of men postponing their retirement, leading Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Tarick Smaili sees more male patients going to his office to ask for cosmetic procedures.

“Contrary to popular belief, I think men nowadays are as conscious as women in terms of physical appearance.  In fact, a 2010 data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has shown that the number of middle-aged men seeking medical enhancement is on the rise,” Smaili added.

Meanwhile, another survey shows men’s growing enthusiasm with plastic surgery.  UCLA has found that 23 percent of US men were interested with the procedure, although only a fraction will push through with their plans.  By contrast, women were about eight times more likely than male patients to go under the knife.

Smaili noticed that many men still view plastic surgery as the last resort to their problems.

“Based on my experience, men will more likely prefer non-invasive procedures such as Botox injection and dermal fillers while women are more willing to go under the knife to achieve the best result possible,” the cosmetic surgeon said.

A significant number of men seeking cosmetic surgery undergo facial rejuvenation procedures such as facelift and eyelid lift.  And with the aging baby boomers who are living longer and healthier, plastic surgeons across the US believe in one thing: more eager patients will fall in line outside their office.

In fact, a 2010 data from ASPS shows that facelift performed on male patients increased by 14 percent.

Aside from employment reasons and Americans’ obsession to looking young, Smaili believes that the increasing number of patients seeking cosmetic procedures is caused by the changing attitude.

“In the past, cosmetic surgery was almost considered taboo, but now, many people would admit it without batting an eyelash.  More men are also open to treatments that would improve their appearance; this is proven by the invention of the term metrosexual, which is used to describe men who spend a lot of time and money for their appearance,” Smaili said.

Aside from facial rejuvenation procedures such as facelift and Botox, Smaili has also noticed an increase in number of male patients seeking liposuction especially in the chest area and abdomen.

In 2010, 13.1 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the country, with about 88 percent accounting to non-invasive treatments.  Meanwhile, almost half of the patients were in their 40s and 50s, a clear manifestation of Americans’ obsession to youthful beauty.

One advantage of non-invasive cosmetic procedures over surgical ones is that they involve no recovery or require little downtime.  However, one consideration is that they often need maintenance so the patients can preserve their youthful appearance; for instance, Botox and collagen injection must be repeated at least every six months.

The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM) is expecting that non-invasive cosmetic procedures especially those treating the signs of aging will increase in numbers.  Botox and Dysport, which both uses neurotoxin in small dosage, will continue their popularity.

Dermal fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm will also continue their popularity.  These treatments are used to “fill in” hollowed facial areas such as the cheeks although certain types can also used in lip augmentation.

In addition, non-surgical body contouring procedures such as VelaSmooth and Zerona will continue their popularity.

Over the past couple of years, liposuction has been one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the US.  But nowadays, new technologies have made it possible to perform the procedure without using incisions; in fact, some doctors simply inject a concoction of drugs to the fatty areas to melt these away, allowing the body to naturally flush these out.

These are the advantages of minimally invasive procedures over cosmetic plastic surgery:

• The treatments are performed quickly.
• Most procedures are relatively painless or at least the discomfort can be minimized by local anesthesia.
• Bed rest is not required because there is little or no downtime.
• Side effects are minor.  But in case the patients develop some swelling, redness, and bruising, these symptoms will likely subside a day or two.
• The procedures are ideal for patients who do not want the idea of going under the knife.
• Most non-invasive treatments provide instantaneous results because there is little or no symptom such as swelling and bruising.
• The non-invasive cosmetic procedures are much cheaper than plastic surgery.

Plastic surgery specialists today have acknowledged that facial aging not just involves skin sagginess and wrinkles but also loss of volume or fats especially in the temples, lips, cheeks, and upper and lower eyelids; and photo damage manifested by dull and leathery skin, sun spots, freckles, and fine wrinkles around the lips and eyes.

By considering these other signs of facial aging, plastic surgeons not only rely on lifting the muscles and tissues, which if done more than twice, may result to a “windswept” appearance.

Facelift surgery is generally ideal for older patients who have a significant amount of excess skin and tissue which commonly forms in the jaw area (resulting to the appearance of jowls), neck region, and upper eyelids.  For these people, usually the best approach is the complete facelift which uses an extensive incision along the hairline at the temples and continues around the ears to the lower scalp.

Through this long incision, plastic surgeons can trim any excess, drooping skin and redistribute or remove the fats from the jowls, face, and neck.  They also reposition the deeper facial muscles to prevent future sagginess and make sure that the result will last for many years.

For patients with excess skin in their neck region, they will need a second incision placed under their chin to treat the “turkey neck.”  If needed, plastic surgery specialists may also perform liposuction on the area to remove the appearance of “bands.”

While facelift surgery can lift the sagging skin, it does not address the other two signs of aging: loss of volume and photo damage.

There are many ways to treat the loss of facial volume and one of the most common is fat transfer in which doctors collect fats from the tummy or any area where there is a significant amount of fatty tissues, purify these to separate the blood and other impurities, and then inject these to the hollowed areas such as the cheeks, temples, and lips.

But aside from natural fats, plastic surgery specialists also use alternatives to fat injections such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane.

Meanwhile, photo damage manifested by leathery skin, sun spots, and freckles are usually addressed with chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser treatments, and other skin rejuvenation procedures.

To date, plastic surgeons are using different liposuction techniques to target a specific area, provide the most desired result, and/or lessen the surgical trauma.

These are the basic types of liposuction:

• Wet liposuction

Plastic surgeons perform this procedure by injecting a small amount of solution made up of saline, local anesthesia, and vasoconstrictor directly into the fatty area.  This fluid is said to loosen the fatty deposits and minimize bruising and surgical trauma.

• Super wet liposuction

This also uses the same process of wet liposuction; the only difference is that plastic surgeons use a greater amount of solution—about the same volume of the fats that are expected to be eliminated.

According to plastic surgery specialists, this approach further minimizes bleeding and surgical trauma, although some patients may still need general anesthesia.  Occasionally, they can have the IV sedation which is combined with the fluid and local anesthesia.

• Tumescent liposuction

In US plastic surgery, this liposuction technique is probably the most commonly used due to its effectiveness and safety.  In this procedure, doctors also inject fluids to destroy the fat cells just like in wet and super wet technique.  However, the injected solution is usually three to four times the amount of target fats to make it easier for doctors to manipulate the cannula and break up the fatty deposits.

The tumescent liposuction technique is typically performed under local anesthesia, making this significantly safer compared to earlier fat removal techniques which use general anesthesia.

Several studies have proven that this technique lowers the risk of surgical trauma, bleeding, swelling, bruising, and toxicity as the epinephrine (one of the ingredients in the tumescent solution) constricts the blood vessels and spreads the effect of the other drugs.

• Ultrasound liposuction

Doctors perform this technique by using ultrasonic waves that can emulsify the fats, thus making them easier to be removed.  This energy may be transferred internally through the use of cannula, or externally via paddles which are passed over the skin.

The ultrasound liposuction, particularly the internal method, is ideal for treating fibrous fats which are commonly found in the male breasts, upper back, and calves.

Despite the effectiveness of this plastic surgery procedure, this always involves recovery and risk of complications.  For this reason, doctors have developed less invasive facelift techniques that are usually associated with shorter downtime period, less bleeding, and reduced risk of complications.

One of the most popular of such techniques is the thread lift which can be performed by dermatologists or plastic surgeons.  In this procedure, they place a “barbed” thread below the skin in order to lift the tissue before it is anchored underneath the hairline.  (See picture below.)

This approach, which is usually conducted under local anesthesia, is highly ideal for younger patients who just need a slight lift around their cheeks, jaw area, and neck.  But just like most minimally invasive facelift techniques, this is not recommended for older individuals who usually need the most correction.

One of the most obvious advantages of thread lift is the shorter recovery.  In fact, most patients can go back to their normal activities just a few days after their procedure, although some plastic surgeons warn that some of them may still experience slight bruising and swelling for a week or so.

While thread lift is a minimally invasive procedure, patients will still experience several days of downtime and will be required to perform certain post-operative care to reduce the risk of complications.  For example, most plastic surgery specialists advice people to avoid exaggerated facial expressions for at least a week after their treatment.

In addition, doctors advice their patients to be careful when sleeping during the first week of their recovery to prevent the threads from being pulled excessively.

As with any cosmetic plastic surgery, thread lift involves certain risks such as temporary swelling, bruising, and numbness in the treated area.  And in rare cases, the thread may become visible under the skin, although this problem can be easily resolved by removing it or placing it deeper under the skin.

However, the result of this procedure only lasts two to three years.  But due to its relative safety and low cost, patients can have this as several times or as soon as the sagginess reoccurs.

According to Los Angeles plastic surgeons, mesotherapy liposuction is one of the examples of less invasive techniques which means that it is safe to a significant number of patients.  And because it does not involve the use of general anesthesia, people can avoid the risk of nausea and adverse reaction after the treatment.  (The picture shown is a mesotherapy machine.)

In the traditional liposuction surgery, patients with cellulites are usually turned down because the treatment can only aggravate the appearance of the “puckery” skin.  But with the introduction of mesotherapy, even patients with this condition can undergo a liposuction which can make the skin firmer, thus resulting to a cellulite-free body.

Usually, doctors start this procedure by mapping the target areas which contain the excess, bulging fats and/or cellulites.  This is performed while a patient is standing since the cellulites in the abdomen, thighs, and legs disappear if she is lying down.

After mapping their target areas, plastic surgeons inject the tumescent solution directly to the skin in order to dissolve the fatty tissues.  The liquefied fats are then suctioned out of the body by using a set of needles which measure 4 to 6mm in length.

And because the needles are very short and thin, most patients will not experience pain during the treatment even if there is no general anesthesia administered.

Compared to the previous techniques used in liposuction surgery, the risks involved in mesotherapy are generally mild since the tumescent solution minimizes the bleeding and reduces the surgical trauma on the surrounding tissues. With this, it has become possible, according to Los Angeles plastic surgeons, to remove more amounts of fats without exposing their patients to high levels of surgical trauma.

Another advantage of mesotherapy over the previous techniques used in liposuction surgery is that patients can expect a significantly shorter downtime.  In fact, most of them will be able to resume to their normal activities as soon as they step out from the clinic.

Aside from removing the cellulites, this non-invasive liposuction technique has also been found to improve the appearance of stretch marks, skin sagginess, and acne scars.

As a precise body contouring procedure, mesotherapy is highly ideal to treat the facial regions where bulging fats tend to accumulate (e.g., chin, neck, and cheeks).  However, this is also ideal to treat large areas of the body including the thighs, hips, and buttocks.

Nowadays, botox injection and facelift surgery are the most commonly performed facial rejuvenation procedures in the US.  But to fully enjoy the benefits of these treatments, certain factors must be considered, including the goals and expectations of patients.

For patients aged 60 years and older, traditional facelift surgery is often the best treatment to remove the deep facial lines, excessive sagging, hollowness especially in the cheek area, and widespread wrinkles.  But more often than not, this procedure involves extensive and deeper incisions which can lead to prolonged recovery and more risk of complications such as nerve damage, scarring, and excessive bleeding.

Because of the risks associated with facelift surgery, a patient should only consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in this field.

But with the advances in plastic surgery, facelift is no longer an exclusive procedure for patients aged 60 years and above as doctors have developed less invasive approach to treat individuals with minimal sagging and wrinkles.  For instance, mid-facelift involves a few shorter excisions often hidden behind the hairline (near the temple) and/or along the nasolabial fold which is the line between the mouth and nose.

However, some patients may still find the mid-facelift surgery too invasive for their minimal sagging.  With this consideration, botox injection is a great alternative in which they will not experience recovery and risk of scarring, nerve damage, and other surgery-related complications.

Botox works by preventing the underlying muscle from contracting, preventing the formation of facial lines.  But still, not all types of wrinkles respond to this treatment, particularly those which are caused by gravity and sun damage.

For the first day or two, it is not uncommon to experience bruising and mild headaches which will resolve on their own.  In general, the treatment is safe for a significant number of patients although allergic reactions and temporary nerve paralysis may still happen.

To minimize the risk of nerve paralysis, a patient should never lie down immediately after the procedure or rub the injected site to prevent botox from migrating beyond the treated areas.

Unlike facelift surgery, botox injection does not involve recovery which means that a patient can immediately resume her normal activities.  However, one downside is that the result only lasts four to six months and should be repeated if one wishes to maintain a youthful appearance.

Latisse is a once-a-day treatment which is applied directly to the skin where the upper eyelash grows.  It is important not to use this solution to the lower eyelash since it may result to unnecessary hair growth which may irritate the eye.

In most cases, the result is visible for as short as four weeks, however, most doctors prescribing Latisse solution said that it generally takes 16 weeks or so before people can achieve full growth and see a significant change in the thickness of their eyelashes.

Despite the effectiveness of Latisse, doctors said that the result is reversible after several weeks or months of not using the product.  With this, it is important that people ask their doctors if they can continue using the solution once they have achieved full growth.

One of the primary ingredients in Latisse is the bimatoprost which is believed to increase the number and length of hairs resulting to thicker and fuller eyelashes.  And when it comes to safety, this ingredient is suitable to majority of people, in fact, only about 4 percent patients have reported itching sensation in the eyes or/and redness in the area.

Meanwhile, this is a step-by-step guide on how to apply Latisse solution:

1. Before applying the solution each night, a person should clean her face and remove her contact lenses.  If she is using facial care products, these should have already been applied before using Latisse.
2. Hold the sterile applicator horizontally and put one drop of Latisse solution closest to its tip but not directly on it.
3. Using the applicator, apply the solution directly to the base of the upper eyelash (where it meets the skin) by starting from the inner part of the lash line to the outer part.  Make sure the applicator will not touch the eye or the lower lid since excess hair growth outside the treatment may happen.
4. Remove the excess solution, especially beyond the eyelid, by using a soft tissue.
5. After one use, dispose off the applicator in order to avoid or at least minimize the risk of contamination from one eyelid to another.  Repeat the same procedures stated above when applying the solution to the opposite eyelid by using a new, sterile applicator.

Dr. Simeons first came across his findings about hCG weight loss while studying pregnant Indian women who subsisted on calorie deficient diets. His first patients were overweight Indian boys who suffered a malady known as Froelich’s syndrome that caused pituitary problems and weight gain.

When Dr. Simeons completed his research, he noted that deprived pregnant women — even in time of war and low food supplies – can be starving and still have normal babies. The doctor found that hCG is the reason because it essentially tells the brain to start burning fat the body can spare.

The doctor later found that low doses of hCG caused the overweight lads to lose fat instead of lean muscle. Later, when Dr. Simeons was practicing in Rome, Italy, he developed an hCG diet consisting of daily low doses of hCG injections combined with a 500 calorie a day diet that contains no fat, sugar or carbohydrates. The doctor claimed the diet removed fat but not muscle.

In 2007, a book, “The Weight Loss Cure ‘They’ Don’t Want You to Know About,” describing the diet was released. The book claimed that hCG weight loss is possible via a switch to all organic foods, followed by hCG injections given by a health care provider. In a third phase, the injections stop but food still must be all organic. The final leg of the diet plan included walking an hour a day and performing breathing exercises.

Currently, the hCG diet is available in hCG drops that are held under the tongue. Or, some doctors offer the injections, along with instructions on how much (or little!) to eat. Proponents say it’s possible to stay on the eating plan while consuming so little because your body is also feeding on fat you can spare.

Dr. Simeons’ original hCG diet called for tea or coffee in the morning, plus a lunch and evening meal of 250 calories each.

Read more about the hCG diet.

One of the first to hit the market in 2007 was tummy tuck jeans. Hey, they gotta be good! Oprah likes them! Diane Sawyer and Rachel Ray are also fans.

The jeans have a high waist that almost hit the belly button and flattens tummies due to some special cross stitching and weaving with extra material in the jeans’ abdominal area.

The garment has special pockets and designs to give a buttocks lift look. It’s done by including four percent spandex.

Remember when insecure junior high girls would stuff Kleenex into their bras? But if a teacher came along, there was no way to discreetly remove the tissues and return to training bra mode.

Just released onto the breast enhancement market is an inflatable (and just as quickly deflatable!) bra that uses compressed air to let you go from a sedate business meeting to a fashionable night spot with a larger cup size and va-voom! cleavage.

Known as Yoobies, the little pads fit into a bra or into the Yoobies bra which has pockets for those special moments when breast enlargement is appropriate. The wearer just pumps a button to add air and squeezes the device to empty it.

One of the plastic surgeons from the hit TV show, “Dr 90210” teamed up with a top fashion designer and developed a line of shapewear which alleges to enhance a woman’s natural assets without going under the knife.

The clothing includes corsets, waist cinchers, leggings, body suits, bottom enhancing (READ: padded) garments, high waisted trimmers, push-up bras and other intimate apparel that alleges to trim inches from the body, while enhancing cleavage and promoting breast fullness.

One wrinkle: the clothing line is intimate apparel; but if you ever intend to and experience actual intimate moments, thereby removing the garments, you just may wish you had gone under the knife after all! Seems like the old expression, “just let it all hang out, baby!” applies here way too literally.

Men who feel they have too much stomach or that they need gynecomastia surgery to rein in their fleshy breasts have a selection of torso binders and full torso vests to keep things from jiggling.

Like Halloween? Try the post surgery face lift mask, (pictured).