Men face new pressure to stay ‘hot’ as they age — and it’s not just about living longer

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Maintaining healthy cholesterol andblood pressure, along with regular physical activity, are widely recommended components of healthy aging.

But as interest inlongevitygrows, some older adults are looking beyond extending their healthspan — the number of years lived free of disease — to prioritize looking, feeling and remaining physically attractive as they age.

Experts say the desire to maintain one’s appearance — the pursuit of “hotness” — can be psychological, shaped in part by a disconnect between how people feel and the changes they see in the mirror.

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“It really isn’t about age,” Dr.Krishna Vyas, M.D., Ph.D.

“I think it’s when you look in the mirror and you’re like, ‘I don’t recognize myself.I don’t recognize the way I feel.I don’t identify with how my appearance isn’t concordant with how I feel at that point.'”

Senior man surfing in the ocean on a beach in Bali.

The push for aesthetic interventions is often driven by psychological friction when a person’s mental self-image no longer matches their physical appearance, experts say.(iStock)

Men now account for roughly 15% of allcosmetic procedures, according to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Social barriers that may have previously prevented men from seeking aesthetic treatment have diminished in the last two decades, Vyas noted.

“In the past, there was a stigma … men were once shamed or ashamed of seeking out things that improve their appearance, especially in aesthetics, but that barrier has fallen significantly,” he said.

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The motivations driving men to pursue “looksmaxxing” — a social media term for enhanced efforts to improve physical appearance — range from maintaining a competitive edge in youth-centric workplaces to addressing subtle signs of aging, such as dark under-eye circles or loss of jawline definition, according to Vyas.

Treatments range from minimally invasive procedures likeBotox and laser therapy, to surgical interventions like chest masculinization and liposuction.

Middle-aged man stares at his reflection in a mirror.

Men now represent roughly 15% of cosmetic procedure patients, driven in part by workplace competitiveness and a decline in the historical stigma surrounding aesthetic treatments.(iStock)

“The misconception often is that minimally invasive treatments will fix things and have no side effects,” Vyas cautioned, noting that improper or excessive non-surgical treatments can change the normal layers and contours of facial tissue.

5 steps to looking your best

Before jumping to aesthetic procedures as quick-fix substitutes forbiological health, the surgeon recommends taking the following steps to improve physical appearance.

No.1: Eliminate nicotine

Complete abstinence from allforms of nicotineis essential to maintaining microvascular circulation and preventing premature skin breakdown, according to Vyas.

Doctor uses a digital tablet during a medical examination with a male patient.

Experts warn that minimally invasive cosmetic treatments are not risk-free fixes and can distort underlying tissue if overused.(iStock)

No.2: Stick to your skincare

Avoid over-hyped trends and multi-step routines, the experts recommended.Guidelines from the American Academy of Dermatology point to two daily essentials: a morning broad-spectrum sunscreen to block photoagingUV rays, and a topical retinoid at night to stimulate cell turnover.

No.3: Manage weight

Maintaining ahealthy weightcan prevent the chronic, systemic inflammation that is linked to metabolic syndrome, which directly accelerates structural skin and tissue aging.

Middle aged man checking his bald spots in the mirror, hair loss concept

Aesthetic procedures cannot substitute for internal wellness, making things like daily sun protection and early hair loss intervention crucial first steps.(iStock)

No.4: Address hair loss early

Intervene early at the firstsign of thinning.Evidence-based medical treatments, like FDA-approved finasteride and minoxidil, remain the primary standard for maintaining hair density before follicle loss becomes permanent.

No.5: Stay active

“The real longevity drug is exercise — aerobic and non-aerobic strength training exercises,” Vyas said.

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“Someone who’s looking for a hotspan or a healthspan, because they’re so intimately related … I think they should focus on the basics to start … the foundation is what’s most important,” the surgeon added.

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