Psychological aspects of male aesthetic surgery

Physical appearance is an important aspect of daily life. Social psychological research has repeatedly demonstrated that more attractive individuals are judged more favorably by others. Also, they receive preferential treatment across a range of interpersonal situations. These observations also likely explain, in part, why tens of millions of people worldwide undergo aesthetic procedures each year. A new large body of research has investigated the psychological aspects of aesthetic surgical and nonsurgical treatments. Much of this work has studied women, representing approximately 90% of individuals who undergo these procedures. While relatively few studies of the most traditional procedures have focused on men, many of the psychological characteristics of prospective patients and the psychological changes that occur following treatment are likely more similar than different for men and women. This literature will be reviewed. Studies of male patients are highlighted. While most patients are believed to be appropriate for treatment from a psychological perspective, some have serious mental health issues, such as body dysmorphic disorder, which warrants attention from the physician provider. The growing number of individuals interested in genital procedures (either for cosmetic purposes or as part of gender-affirming care) warrants specific attention from clinical teams as well.