Cosmetic Surgery and Beauty Magazine #64

men
With the likes of George Clooney and Sean
Connery on side, it certainly seems the mantel of
ageing sits a little more comfortably on men than
on women. The smooth, dewy, homogenised complexions
that females strive for are not so coveted by their male
counterparts, and it seems society expects and appreciates
a touch of ruggedness on ageing men.
Sydney facial plastic surgeon Dr William Mooney explains
the male face calls for a radically different approach to antiageing
than the female face. ‘It’s a big mistake to use the
female template facial rejuvenation on the male face,’ he
says. ‘Dynamic wrinkles help characterise a male’s face, so
facial treatments should preserve this character, while still
granting an anti-ageing effect.
Treatments should preserve
facial character, while still
granting an anti-ageing effect
‘Also, male skin is very different to female skin. It is
usually more damaged, thicker in texture, and males will
have different skin concerns,’ he adds. ‘Throughout their
lives, generally speaking men spend more time outdoors,
they are less likely to be careful with protecting their skin
and when I ask them what their skincare regime consists of,
their usual response is “soap”.’
Understanding that most men will not commit to a
skincare routine that is too time consuming, Dr Mooney is
taking skincare back to basics with his male patients. He
recommends using an in-shower cleanser, a moisturiser
after shaving and a daily sunscreen.
Alongside skincare, there are several surgical and nonsurgical
methods for facial rejuvenation that can be tailored
to male patients.
Light therapies
Dr Mooney explains one of the most subtle but potent signs
of ageing in male patients is the age spots and wrinkles
around the temples. He uses laser and Intense Pulsed Light
treatments to counter the appearance of these wrinkles.
‘Laser treatment can also be used to counter redness,
unevenness and blocked pores, which are common
concerns in male patients,’ he says. ‘For the best results,
we often intersperse light treatments with facial treatments
such as the enzyme facial peel.’
Injectables
Anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers can rejuvenate the
aging face and counter the visible signs of ageing.
‘I use less and less anti-wrinkle injections in men,’ Dr
Mooney explains. ‘Lines help characterise a male’s face, so
A masculine nose and jaw
According to Dr Mooney, the size and shape of the
nose can be a common concern in male patients.
Oftentimes, he explains, it is the size of the jaw and not
the nose which is putting the face out of proportion.
‘A weak jaw can make the nose look bigger, and can
detract from the male aesthetic,’ Dr Mooney explains.
‘I will sometimes use deep dermal filers or a surgical
augmentation to strengthen the jawline, and bring the
face into more masculine proportions. After this, some
patients no longer feel the need for rhinoplasty.’
In those cases where rhinoplasty is needed, Dr
Mooney explains nose surgery can have a significant
anti-ageing effect.
‘Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular male
procedures,’ he says. ‘Both functional and aesthetic
concerns can be addressed through surgery, and the
procedure can really impact quality of life – it helps
boost self-confidence, assists in breathing and this,
in turn, helps with sleeping. All these factors can
contribute to an anti-ageing effect.’
we want to avoid the frozen look. I often use subtle filler,
instead of anti-wrinkle injections, to correct crow’s feet
in men. A cross hatching filler pattern will grant a subtle,
natural-looking and longer-lasting effect.’
Threading
Ageing often deteriorates volume and causes skin laxity in
the mid face, generating a tired, gaunt appearance. While
facelifting can be effective in countering this process, Dr
Mooney says thread lifting can be a viable alternative to
facelift surgery.
‘Thread lifting can build volume in the face, and help
redefine the facial contours,’ he says. ‘Men lose volume
in their midface but are often reluctant to undergo face
lifting surgery; they want to avoid that tight, overdone look.
Thread lifting – sometimes combined with eyelid surgery
– can have a significant, though subtle, anti-ageing result
without the downtime associated with a full face lift.’
Between injectables, thread lifting and jaw augmentation,
there are several options for facial rejuvenation in male
patients. An extensive consultation process is needed
with each patient to ensure the best treatment method is
established.
Dr Mooney says many men aren’t aware of the number
of options available for facial rejuvenation, but are typically
open to fresh possibilities. ‘While female patients are
generally more educated coming into consultation, male
patients are very open minded and appreciate non-invasive
options that will generate effective, though natural-looking,
anti-ageing results.’ cbsm
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