When thinking about Botox, fillers, and beauty “touch-ups,” the first thing that comes to mind is the female demographic.
However, an increasing number of doctors and beauticians across the UK are noticing an increase in the number of men seeking treatments.
It’s a rise that experts believe is linked to two social changes: a growing concern among men about their appearance and a rise in male celebrities and influencers speaking openly about treatments.
For Michael Saul, of Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors, the answer lies in “the growing anxiety men experience about their appearance.”
“Procedures like hair transplants, Botox, liposuction and even more invasive surgeries like rhinoplasty and facelifts have become more common,” Saúl said. He added: “In 2022, men accounted for 7 percent of all cosmetic surgery procedures, which was an increase of 118 percent from 2021.”
Dr Aamer Khan, physician and co-founder of The Harley Street Skin Clinic, attributed the increased interest in male Botox or ‘Brotox’ to media attention on the issue, reflecting a broader shift in the way men address self-care and appearance. .
“The increase in the number of men opting for Botox is largely due to social media and the increasing visibility of male public figures undergoing treatments,” Dr Khan said.
Public figures such as Gordon Ramsay have publicly discussed the treatments, and the famous chef told how his children unknowingly prompted him to seek help to reduce the appearance of his wrinkles.
Male Botox or ‘Brotox’ treatments are on the rise, a phenomenon that experts largely attribute to the increase in men sharing treatment information online, including @theglobetrotterguys (pictured).
Birmingham-based clinic @starbrowsaesthetics has shared male clients receiving procedures on TikTok
In 2010, he said: “I have four kids and they’ve become, ‘Dad, why do you have so many wrinkles on your face when Clementine’s dad doesn’t have wrinkles?'”
“The lines were pretty horrible, like Scarface, and I never felt embarrassed about it, but my kids helped me become more paranoid about it.
You’ve seen the articles: craggy face, map of Wales, ugly deflated rugby ball. There’s only so much shit you want to accept. I woke up in the morning and Matilda (her daughter) was trying to get pound coins in there.
Ramsay added that in Los Angeles, concerned about the image, a makeup artist reacted with horror to his face and asked him if he had been in a car accident as a child.
He said: ‘In LA it was all, “Oh my God, when did you go through the windshield?” You endure it, but then you get tired. I heard what Simon Cowell said and he said, ‘Do it, it’ll make you look more…’.
Elsewhere, Joe Jonas showed two fingers of gender norms last year when he teamed up with Xeomin, an alternative to Botox that reduces the appearance of lines.
The singer revealed that he had opted for the treatment to stop the signs of aging. He was candid about the procedures and said Byrdie: ‘There is a lot of stigma around injectables.
“I have a lot of friends who have had treatments, but they won’t say anything about it or ask me over dinner if I’ve noticed anything different.”
TikTok content creator named @injector_chelsey shared a video of one of her male clients and added, “YES, guys get Botox too.”
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay (seen at the F1 Grand Prix in Las Vegas in November) also admitted to receiving a procedure to reduce the appearance of his wrinkles.
Joe Jonas (seen in November at the 25th Annual Latin Grammy Awards) teamed up with Xeomin, an alternative to Botox that reduces the appearance of lines.
He added: “I’ve had great conversations about injectables with people who wouldn’t normally talk about it.”
Elsewhere, TikTok has also seen a rise in the number of men revealing their cosmetic procedures. Starbrows Aesthetics on TikTok shared content of men receiving procedures, as well as @injector_chelsey, who wrote, “YES guys get Botox too.”
Meanwhile, TikTok content creator @theglobetrotterguys shared his Botox results and told his followers to go to the Manchester doctor for similar results.
In addition to the influence of media attention, Dr Khan continued: ‘Furthermore, workplace pressures to maintain a youthful appearance, combined with the convenience of quick, non-invasive procedures such as Botox, are key factors. . “Men are realizing that these treatments are no longer just for women.”
In addition to men seeking Botox for functional reasons, Dr. Khan explained that in his experience, men most commonly seek Botox treatments for their foreheads, frown lines, and crow’s feet.
Although women also seek help for the same areas, the procedure varies when performed on a man. “Men generally have thicker skin and stronger facial muscles, which means Botox doses and techniques need to be adjusted for optimal results,” Dr. Khan said.
He continued: “The goal of male Botox treatments is usually to preserve a more natural masculine appearance by focusing on specific areas such as the forehead or between the eyebrows without softening the face too much.”
‘The increase in demand for male Botox has prompted the cosmetic industry to expand its services and marketing towards men.
“Many clinics now offer male-focused treatments and adapt their approach to better meet the needs of male clients, such as subtle, natural-looking results that improve, rather than change, their appearance.”
He concluded: “As social norms around personal care and cosmetic procedures evolve, it is no surprise that we are seeing a sharp increase in men turning to Botox, or ‘Brotox’ as it is often called.”
“The stigma surrounding men and cosmetic treatments has decreased significantly, largely due to the influence of social media and the visibility of male public figures who openly talk about their experiences with Botox.”
Alison Telfer, founder and aesthetic director at London’s The Glasshouse, added: “The change reflects a wider social acceptance that men prioritize their appearance and wellbeing, along with a growing awareness of how subtle treatments can deliver natural but effective”.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, Fiona Ross, founder of The Aesthetics Club, has seen a rise in the popularity of treatments such as Ameela, also known as the salmon sperm facial, as well as Botox and Hydrafacials among men.
Ross said: “We often see men coming in for a one-off treatment before a big event such as a wedding, for example, from there many return regularly to keep up to date with treatments.”
‘Compared to five years ago, we now have a much higher percentage of male patients coming in for regular facials.
‘There has definitely been an increase in the number of men taking an interest in skincare in general. “We have a much higher percentage of male patients coming in for regular facials compared to five years ago.”
He added: “We also find that our male clients are looking for treatments that can help them maintain a youthful appearance, reducing signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines and uneven skin tone.”
Like Dr Khan, Ross agreed that changing attitudes have contributed to the change, stating: “The stigma surrounding men practicing grooming and grooming routines has decreased significantly, and now we find that society is embracing men’s grooming as a standard part of self-care.” careful.’
“I would say this is partly due to social media, but also due to the enduring popularity of non-surgical treatments.”
Ross concluded: ‘I think men have concerns and some insecurities about their appearance and aging in the same way as women; “I feel like there’s a huge increase in wellness and self-care, and… this is an extension of that.”