The top 10 tweakments for men

In the ever-evolving world of personal grooming and self-care, one particular topic of interest is the rise of male tweakments. A few weeks back, we wrote about this development and spoke to leading aesthetic practitioners to find out whether this ‘rise’ was finally happening or whether we are simply having the same conversation all over again (Click here to read part 1 of this male tweakment series.)

From subtle rejuvenation to cutting-edge solutions to hair loss, we explore the top ten recommended procedures, guided by leading practitioners, that redefine the concept of male grooming.

“Injectables are still (and will continue to be) the most popular treatments with men, in particular, very subtle ‘Botox’ treatments to lift eyelids and reduce frown lines, as well as gentle mid-face and tear trough revolumisation with fillers,” says Dr David Jack. “Eyes are a key area for men when it comes to ageing – so this is usually the primary issue people present with when they come into clinic for the first time.”

2. PRP INJECTIONS FOR HAIR LOSS

Recent research by leading hair loss centre Harley Street Hair Clinic revealed that 73% of the men surveyed reported experiencing some sort of hair loss. Innovations such as PRP injections – which involve the reinjection of platelet-rich plasma, a substance derived from the patient’s blood, into the scalp – mean that there are options outside full hair transplants available. The treatment can help prevent further hair loss and promote new growth, especially for hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness.

3. MICRONEEDLING FOR SKIN IMPERFECTIONS

“The most popular treatment I see men having, apart from injectables, is micro-needling because of the effect you can see on the skin straight away in terms of the pinpoint bleeding,” says the medical aesthetican William Foley. By causing thousands of tiny micro-traumas on the surface of the skin, microneedling can treat wrinkling, hyperpigmentation, and scarring, by stimulating elastin and collagen production deeper in the skin.

4. PROFHILO FOR SUBTLE RESULTS

“Profhilo, an injectable biostimulator, which hydrates skin and stimulates collagen and elastin, has become more popular with men as it has no risk of creating an ‘overdone’ look,” says Dr Jack. “Generally speaking, most men we have coming into clinic do not want to waste time or money on basic spa-type facials but are happy to invest in treatments that utilise new technology and more comprehensive and visible results.”

5. LASER FOR STUBBORN SUNSPOTS

“After wrinkles, the other main concerns for men are uneven skin colour, caused by sun pigmentation and capillaries, and enlarged pores,” says the aesthetic doctor Dr Joney De Souza. “For all of these concerns, lasers are the best option, especially because results are long-lasting, natural, and without any change in facial features.” For deep-rooted sunspots and individuals with darker skin tones, Dr De Souza uses “the finest laser in the industry – the Picosure (a picosecond laser)- which has literally no downtime, with very short-lived redness. Enlarged pores are treated using a special lens for the Picosure laser, called Focus. Hyperpigmentation and sun damage can also be treated using IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), by targeting redness and brown spots at the superficial layers of the skin. In particular, Lumecca IPL has become more popular with men in recent years. The powerful light-based device evens out skin tone and reduces brown stains on the skin over a few sessions.

6. LASER FOR SKIN TIGHTENING

Lower face laxity can be a major concern for more mature male patients, and with the new generation of devices available, practitioners can firm and sculpt skin non-invasively. “Skin tightening treatments such as Morpheus8 are on the up,” says Dr Jack – and that is true for both male and female patients. Most devices achieve their effect using technology that creates controlled skin injury, in order to stimulate collagen and elastin production. Morpheus8 combines radiofrequency and microneedling into one device to achieve its trending effect. Other options include Ultherapy and Sofwave which both tighten skin by heating the tissue below the skin surface using focused ultrasound energy; Thermage FLX, which is a radiofrequency device; and Endolift, which uses laser technology.

7. NON-INVASIVE DEVICES FOR BODY TONING

It’s not just women who may struggle to address stubborn fat pockets that diet and exercise have not solved. “The most popular treatment at our clinic for men is a combination of TruSculpt Flex and Emerald Laser,” says the aesthetic doctor and founder of Remedi London, Dr Nima Mahmoodi. “TruSculpt Flex is a non-invasive muscle sculpting device that adjusts to your fitness levels to strengthen, firm, and tone the muscles of the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. When combined with the Emerald Laser, which is a revolutionary, safe, and effective way to lose fat with no downtime or side effects, this delivers effective results both physically and internally.”

7. BODY TWEAKMENTS TO BOOST WELLBEING

Men are also increasingly intrigued by what Dr Rita Rakus defines as ‘Functional Aesthetics’. “This is what I call a tweakment that not only has an aesthetic outcome but also has an impact on the functionality of your body. With Emsculpt Neo by BTL, I am able to provide a reduction of subcutaneous fat layer, but I can also assure my patients that the density and quality of their muscle will improve. I have an 86-year-old male patient who underwent Emsculpt Neo treatment for quadriceps, hamstrings and calves to increase his mobility and quality of life. Deleo Cristal Pro [a brand of fat freezing, or cryolipolysis] is also very popular among my male patients as it is a very effective and safe way to reduce waist circumference, and it greatly reduces risks of cardiovascular diseases.”

9. HYDRAFACIAL FOR A DEEP CLEANSE

“Subtle tweakments such as anti-wrinkle injections have been popular for men for quite some time now, but they are also looking to improve their skin with the treatments such as HydraFacials for a deep cleanse,” says the plastic surgeon and founder of Mallucci London, Patrick Mallucci. “At Mallucci London, we offer the ‘Mallucci Man’ packages, which include these alongside  EmSculpt for Abs, which sculpts and defines the abdominal muscles. We have also recently launched our Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment at our new residency Mallucci Mayfair. This works to increase the level of oxygen in the body, speeding up the healing process and helping you to feel rebalanced and renewed.”

10. INJECTABLES FOR STRONGER JAWLINES

“I tend to see men in their 20s and 30s looking for muscle sculpting and scar reduction, while men in their 30s-50s come in for specific facial enhancement and ask for treatments to erase crow’s feet, frown lines and tear troughs,” says the advanced aesthetic doctor and founder of Dr Preema Clinic, Dr Preema Vig. “If they also request treatments to build a stronger chin and jawline to enhance and masculinise their facial profile – then I’ll use dermal filler to reinforce their facial ‘scaffolding’.”