Dr Ivan Puah emphasises the importance of a long-term approach – one focused on “skin longevity” with customised medical aesthetic treatments.
May 9, 2024
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From a young age, we’re exposed to a certain ideal physique that all of us women should strive for. Think of all the Barbie dolls you once had (or still have) in your collection – long, straight hair, perky bosom, cinched waist, mile-long legs, or the countless celebrities sharing with you the “secret” to their slim figures…
However, have you ever wondered if men have similar body insecurities like we do? Well, the short answer is yes. Even if they didn’t play with Barbie’s partner, Ken, they would’ve been exposed to it from a formative age or have the images of buff men with six-pack abs ingrained in their minds.
Just think of all the male A-listers flaunting their chiselled figures on films or the sportsmen that your man idolises. It’s safe to say that men are bombarded with images of the ideal male body as much as women are badgered with hourglass-figured women every time we scroll through social media.
But while women are always on the lookout for the next fad diet or quick slimming solution, men tend to be more impassive about their body insecurities.
How Men Suffer In Silence With Their Body Negativity
While some researchers say men are typically more satisfied with their physical appearance than women, many others purport that they struggle with body image anxiety just as much as women with the lingering feeling of being either too thin or too heavy to meet the male ideal.
And it’s not just the body that men worry about. There’s also a constant lingering fear of their hair not being thick enough, acne overwhelming their face (men’s skin has been proven to be oilier than women’s, thus more prone to breakouts), their muscles not as well-defined, or their bodies too big or too fat. Psychologists also shared that some men may even lie about their height or their genital size to make themselves feel more adequate, yikes!
But instead of engaging in frequent body surveillance like what most women are brainwashed to do, men tend to either deal with it quietly or even succumb to their body dissatisfaction. According to studies, those who recognise that professional help is needed still tend to seek treatment less frequently or hold off on treatment longer due to stigma or what people may think if they get help.
Dr. Ivan Puah, medical director of Amaris B. Clinic, has been seeing an increasing number of male patients enquiring on treatments to improve their body and self confidence.
“I have noticed that amongst the male patients, 20 to 25% are young adults who have serious body confidence issues. They are shy and inexpressive, often exhibiting signs of no confidence and extremely low esteem,” says Dr. Ivan Puah.
“They avoid eye contact and are uncomfortable going shirtless during examinations. I’ve also encountered instances where some of them teared up as they shared the reasons behind their sense of low self-esteem. There is just a sense of helplessness in them.”
In order to achieve their body goals without professional assistance, many resort to abnormal eating behaviours, such as calorie counting, cutting out certain foods/food groups, avoiding social events and functions that involve food, just to name a few. These men exhibit an extreme fear of being fat or of any weight changes and often see atypical eating disorders as a solution to their problem.
With the constant exposure to bulging biceps and powerful pecs in popular culture and on social media, plenty of men also fall back on substance abuse as their coping mechanism.
Meanwhile, those who want to look well-built may even turn to extreme exercising or risk their health by using anabolic steroids to speed up the effects. Where women diet in a dangerous way to achieve their desired figure, men regard usage of anabolic steroids as one of the routes they can take to “level up” their bodies.
Apart from a ripped physique, men are also more commonly concerned about gynecomastia, also known as “man boobs”. So what is the most effective way to take care of men’s body insecurities and give them the body that they’ve been longing for?
How To Tackle “Man Boobs” Effectively: Gynecomastia Surgery
Gynecomastia, or more commonly referred to as “man boobs”, is a medical condition that affects 65% of the male population worldwide. Whereas a normal male chest is flat with small nipples, “man boobs” are more rounded with nipples that appear puffy due to abnormal breast tissue development and in some cases, accompanied by enlargement of fatty tissues.
Apart from the physical appearance, men struggling with gynecomastia may also experience symptoms such as breast tenderness and swelling of breast gland tissue.
Gynecomastia is classified based on the components of the tissue involved. “You have true gynecomastia when only glandular tissue is the cause of your male breast enlargement. Mixed gynecomastia is the most commonly seen in my years of practice, and that is when both fat and glandular tissues are the cause. Lastly, although rare, pseudogynecomastia is due to excess fatty tissues without the involvement of glandular tissues”, explains Dr Ivan Puah.
To get rid of the female-like breasts effectively, you can consider a gynecomastia surgery.
How To Remove Excess Fat For Men: Vaser Liposuction
Dieting and exercising may not be foolproof methods to get rid of those pesky wobbly bits in specific targeted areas. Still, you don’t have to despair as there is a clinically proven and effective method that you can count on to send fat packing: Vaser Liposuction
Vaser Liposuction is an advanced fat-eliminating procedure. Less intrusive than traditional liposuction, Vaser Liposuction also zeroes in on unwanted fat tissues and leaves other vital connective tissues relatively untouched.
This procedure essentially is the answer to the chiselled body that you want with minimal pain and downtime. And so long as you maintain a balanced diet and active lifestyle, you need not worry about the treated areas rebounding to their previous appearance as the fat tissue removal process is permanent.
How To Treat Acne Successfully For Men: Acne, Scar & Marks Treatment
From comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) to inflammatory acne (cysts, nodules, pustules, and papules) as well as scars, it’s not difficult to see how common breakouts and acne marks can affect a man’s self-esteem, especially when it resides on a large area of your face.
Because everyone’s skin is vastly different, it’s more worthwhile to go for a series of acne management treatments that are tailored specifically for you by Dr. Ivan Puah upon analysing the severity of your skin condition.
Talk To Dr Ivan Puah About Your Journey To Complete Male Confidence Makeover
With Amaris B. Clinic, you can be assured that your well-being will be taken care of as a patient’s safety and results are always their top priority.
That’s not all; Amaris B. Clinic stands out among other aesthetic clinics in town as it has also ventured beyond medical aesthetics and cosmetic enhancements to provide integrative medicine.
If you’re looking for an aesthetic clinic that can help you improve your physique and boost your self-esteem, look no further than Amaris B. Clinic, which is run by a dedicated team of professionals who will improve your looks, health, and fitness on every level through fully personalising their approach to your treatment.
