The ”dad bod” trend is over — and men are paying big to move on from it.
Traditionally women have gotten plastic surgery at higher rates than men, but now more men than ever are participating in the $14 billion plastic surgery industry[1], data released this week by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons showed.
Among men, there has been a boost in body contouring procedures such as liposuction (up 23%), tummy tucks (up 12%) and male breast reductions (up 30%) in the past year.
In fact, some plastic surgeons are asking families to treat the father or husband to some plastic surgery for Father’s Day, which falls on June 17. Northeastern Plastic Surgery[2] in Florham Park, N.J., has the following advertisement: “Forget the tie and the power tools because plastic surgery might be one of the best Father’s Day gift ideas yet.”
“Dads are feeling the pressure to advance in their career,” plastic surgeon Joseph Fodero writes on the site. “And, the truth is, appearance matters. Plastic surgery can help dads look their best as they work towards landing a new job or getting a promotion.”
Some practices are offering discounts. Perimeter Plastic Surgery[3] in Atlanta, Ga. is offering a Father’s Day special through June 17: A $500 gift card for $400 or a $250 gift card for $200.
Dr. Q Plastic Surgery[4] in Rancho Mirage, Calif. is currently promoting a non-invasive procedure that stimulates collagen: “This Father’s Day, skip the necktie and give Dad an Ultherapy[5] treatment to help keep him looking his best. One treatment can lift and tighten skin on the neck and under the chin, so Dad can get back that chiseled look from his younger years!”
Those procedures help men shed the doughy exteriors that many associate with men who’ve settled down to have children and may not have the time — or incentive — to keep their bodies as sculpted as they once were.[6]
“Men are now realizing it doesn’t take away from your masculinity to have a cosmetic procedure that makes you feel good about yourself,” she said.
More than 1.3 million cosmetic procedures were performed on men in 2017, up around 1% from the previous year, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The accounted for 8% of all cosmetic procedures. (Women had 14.5 million cosmetic procedures last year, a 2% increase on the previous year.)
The still-sizable number of men going under the knife is owed largely to changing social norms, said Lorelei Grunwaldt, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Pittsburgh.
Also see: Barbie’s boyfriend, Ken, gets a makeover — look for the man bun and the dad bod[7]
With that in mind, more surgeons are targeting men. Daniel Maman, a cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon at 740 Park Plastic...