Men Are Taking Steps to Look Their Best

More than 10.2 million cosmetic surgeries were performed in the United States in 2005, according to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons. That''s an 11 percent increase from 2004. The growing number of men opting for procedures helped contribute to the jump. Twelve percent of all cosmetic surgery patients were men, a 44 percent increase since 2000.

Men are discovering and enjoying all types of cosmetic procedures, from teeth whitening to Lasik surgery. Men choose these procedures for the same reasons women do: to look as young and as good as they feel and to help boost their self-confidence.

Howard Lapides, who had hair restoration at Bosley, is like many men. "I had my hair restored for two reasons," he says. "The first was personal. When my hair started thinning, it made me look and feel older than I really was. The second reason was professional. Having my own business, interacting with high-level buyers, I need every advantage I can get."

Cosmetic procedures have become a hot topic of conversation rather than a secret to be whispered about. From celebrities bragging about their latest "improvements" to television make-over shows, the mystery and stigma regarding cosmetic procedures is a thing of the past. Liposuction to get rid of "love handles," rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery and hair transplantation are among the most popular cosmetic procedures for men.

Many men report that they chose cosmetic surgery for business reasons. It''s not always what you know, but the image you project that is key to climbing the corporate ladder. And of course, truth be told, simple vanity plays a part as well. After all, it''s not that big a stretch for men to go from using skin care products to the next logical step of having Botox or a face lift to get rid of wrinkles.

Unlike more invasive cosmetic procedures, hair restoration can be done under local anesthetic, with the patient awake during the procedure. A donor strip of hair follicles is removed from a non-balding area, usually in the back of the head; these follicles are then transplanted into balding and thinning areas.

Because the follicles in the donor grafts are less subject to the hormone that leads to hair loss, once one or two procedures are completed, visits of four to eight hours each, the results are permanent. "Today''s hair transplant techniques result in natural-looking hairlines," says Ken Washenik, M.D., Ph.d., Bosley''s Medical Director.

If you are considering hair restoration, make sure you choose a provider with sufficient training and experience to give you excellent results. "Hair restoration is a great option for many men, but it is not the solution for everyone," says Washenik.

Bosley offers a free DVD to help you find out more about hair restoration and if it''s right for you. Visit www.bosley.com to request your copy.

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